Advisor of the Year 2004-2005
Name: Dr. Sharon D. Austin
Department: Political Science
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: Associate Professor
Years at UF: 4
Year and Institution of Ph.D.: 1993, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Activities that led to award:
During my four years at the University of Florida, I have received a tremendous amount of enjoyment from advising and mentoring students. Over the last three terms, I have advised approximately 1,000 political science majors by distributing information over our graduate and undergraduate listservs. Because approximately 10 – 20 visited my office during office hours each week last semester, I advised about 100 students then and am still a faculty adviser this semester. I also am the adviser for the Black Political Science Association which consists of approximately 50 students and have advised three McNair Scholars during this academic year. During my four years here, I have mentored a total of 5 McNair Scholars. As their adviser and mentor, I have assisted them in conducting major research projects and in applying for graduate school. Also, I advised two students in the Gatorlaunch program during the spring 2004 semester that I still interact with. Lastly, I am an adviser for Asian American students who are in the process of seeking approval for a certificate in Asian American Studies. During the 2005-2006 academic year, I am teaching an Asian American politics course that will fulfill a major requirement for this certificate. Thus, the total number of students I have advised is approximately 1,200.
