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Melissa Ossian, aPHR, M.A.
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Coach
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Advisor
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Problem Solver
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Higher Education Administrator
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For the last 12 years Melissa has worked as an Academic Advisor for the prestigious Plan II Honors Program at The University of Texas as Austin. Melissa advises students through the 4-year undergraduate lifecycle from orientation to graduation. She advises students on academic decisions, enrichment opportunities, navigating University policies/procedures, accessing benefits/support services, and graduation planning. Melissa coaches students on performance management strategies and personal skills development. In addition, Melissa administers a portfolio of student enrichment programs, the Plan II curriculum, and a year-long developmental advising program for second-year students implemented annually.
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As the lead Advisor, Melissa manages the academic advising team responsible for supporting an average of 700 Plan II students each academic year. Melissa and her colleagues have achieved a 97% student graduation rate with 92% of students in the Program exceeding minimum academic standards for the duration of their undergraduate careers.
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In designing the My Degree Coach program I thought to myself if I had unlimited time and resources what would I like to be able to do for ALL 700 of my students. I’d love to not only to advise them in the area of academics and resources but also coach them at regular intervals to develop life skills to be the best students they can be. Getting to know a student, their interests, goals, fears, challenges, academic and personal lives all help to be able to provide the best personalized guidance possible. Helping students to be happy, confident, successful people in and out of the classroom is my goal. I want to coach them to be able to realize their potential and maximize on the amazing opportunities that come with attending any institution of higher education.
This is my passion, this is my goal, this is what I will bring to the table as your Degree Coach!
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Melissa is dedicated to developing people to their fullest potential, both students and her colleagues. She enjoys creating and implementing professional development and engagement initiatives, trainings, and opportunities that foster personal growth, confidence, skill/knowledge acquisition, and leadership. Melissa serves on the College Advisor Training Committee where she is charged with developing and delivering trainings for new Academic Advisors. She has achieved a 100% success rate of trainees passing a post-training exam evaluating acquired knowledge. In addition, she has facilitated 40+ professional development and training opportunities for peers as part of the College Employee Engagement Committee and University of Texas Academic Counselors Association (ACA) Advisors Development Team.
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An avid Toastmaster, Melissa has earned the Advanced Leader Bronze and Competent Communicator distinctions. In 2010, she led the effort on the UT Austin campus to organize and subsequently charter a Toastmasters Club for UT staff. Toastmasters is a world leader in communication and leadership development; members deliver prepared and impromptu speeches, improve listening skills, evaluate peers providing constructive feedback, and rotate leadership roles. Through Toastmasters, Melissa has held multiple leadership positions and serves as a mentor to new members. As Club President, she led the UT Staff Toastmasters to achieve President’s Distinguished status for only the second time in Club history (meeting 9 out of 10 success standards established by Toastmasters International).
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Attended Florida State University (Go Noles!) earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science and a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs
Honored with the University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts Advising Excellence Award (March 2019); Peer nominated award recognizing exceptional dedication to students, coworkers, and the academic advising profession
Honored with the University of Texas at Austin Liberal Arts Council Outstanding Advisor Award (March 2018); Student-nominated award recognizing achievement in advising from the perspective of undergraduate students
A long-time and active member of The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA); involved with the Academic Coaching, High Achieving Students, and Advisor Training and Development sub-communities
HRCI Certified Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
Earned the Organizational Improvement Certificate from the Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO) Program at the University of Texas at Austin
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Melissa was born in New Jersey but moved to Clearwater, Florida when she was five and, for the most part, grew up in the Sunshine State.
Melissa relocated to Austin, Texas in 2005 and LOVES living in the Lone Star State. She is married to an amazing husband (Rob) and they have two incredible children (Jake and Laura) who are the light of their lives. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys watching sports (especially college football), movies, reading books, swimming, and power walking.
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