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Contact Us!
Address:
Office of New Student Orientation
Simmons Hall 209
Akron, Ohio 44325-4716
Phone: 330-972-2622
Fax: 330-972-5278
orientation@uakron.edu |
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The Office of New Student Orientation staff:
Chris Tankersley
Director
330-972-2622
ctanker@uakron.edu
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Chris Tankersley joined the Office of New Student Orientation as Director in August 2007. Prior to joining the University of Akron, Chris served as Coordinator of First-Year Experience Programs at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and as a Program Advisor at American University in Washington, DC. An Ohio native Chris earned his B.S. in Business Administration and his M.A. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Akron in 2002 and 2004 respectively. As Director, Chris provides overall leadership and direction for the Office of New Student Orientation and collaborates with colleagues in University College and throughout campus to coordinate comprehensive Orientation and First-Year Experience programs that enable new students to get connected to everything that they need to be successful at The University of Akron. |
Carly McNutt
Assistant Director
330-972-7675
cnm5@uakron.edu |
While earning a degree in Secondary Education Language Arts, Carly McNutt worked as an Orientation Leader for two years and a Team Leader for one in the Office of New Student Orientation. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and has been serving as a Graduate Assistant in the office since 2006. As a GA, Carly has helped to organize various events, such as Akron Traditions and Welcome Team, develop and train the Orientation Leaders, and assist with the overall planning of the Orientation programs throughout the year. In March 2008, Carly was promoted to the position of Assistant Director for the office overseeing various aspects of both our Orientation and First-Year Experience programs. |
Judy Valatka
Orientation Coordinator
330-972-8273
judy2@uakron.edu
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Currently Coordinator of New Student Orientation, Judy Valatka began her professional career as a Clerk Typist at The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1964 following high school. A native of Ohio, she began working in the Department of International Engineering for the Director and his staff. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to Secretary to the Vice President of the International Company where she remained until 1978 when she left to start her family. She stayed home and raised two children, Scott and Tracy, (both graduates of the UofA) and worked part-time in the Norton School District. Judy came to The University of Akron in 1994 as an Office Aide working for Evelyn Sutton in the Clearinghouse for MRDD which was run by the University of Illinois at Chicago and under the auspices of Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, here at The University of Akron. Judy began working directly for Dr. Sterns in 1996 as a secretary where she assisted him with his classes and research on the aging population in The Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology. In 1998, Judy began working in the Office of New Student Orientation as an Administrative Assistant. She loves working in this area as she is eager to assist prospective students in their quest to continue their education at a truly fine institution. Judy enjoys reading, cross-stitch, and traveling with her husband. She and her husband and son traveled to Australia when their daughter, Tracy, did a study abroad in 2001 through the UofA. |
Mary Cassidy
Departmental Records Specialist
330-972-2653
cassid3@uakron.edu
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Mary Cassidy joined the New Student Orientation team in March of 2009. Mary graduated from The Ohio State University in June of 1999 with a degree in Communications. Although Mary is a Summit County native, she has lived and worked across the state of Ohio. Most recently she worked for The University of Akron’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The mother of two young children, Mary recognizes the difficulties students face in balancing school and family time. |
John Highman
Graduate Assistant
330-972-2145
jmh159@uakron.edu
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John Highman graduated from Mount Union College in May of 2007 with a major in Political Science and minors in Adolescent to Young Adult Education, Legal Studies, and Spanish. While at Mount, he was involved in a variety of student activities and leadership positions including Student Senate, serving as President of Pre-Law Society, and working as a Learning Assistant. After spending a year at Ohio State in Law School, John decided to pursue his true passion of working in Higher Education. He is currently working toward a master’s in Higher Education Administration here at Akron. He joined the Office of New Student Orientation in the summer of 2008 as a Graduate Assistant and works with the rest of the Orientation staff to implement orientation programs and develop the Orientation team. |
Aaron Sayre
Graduate Assistant
330-972-2145
ats17@uakron.edu
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Aaron Sayre graduated from The Ohio State University in June 2009 with a degree in Personal Finance. While at Ohio State, Aaron was involved in the Financial Planning Associations of Central Ohio and Ohio State. Additionally, Aaron worked in the university’s call center located in the Office of Development. After graduation, Aaron decided to move back to his home town of Akron to pursue a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. To gain experience in the field, he joined the Office of New Student Orientation in the fall of 2009 as a Graduate Assistant. Aaron is excited to apply his own ideas to the orientation programs. |
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