Ep. 1 - CSUSB Advising Preview Episode

Welcome to the preview episode of the CSUSB Advising Podcast! Listen to academic advisors Star Wildes and Matt Markin as they discuss how the podcast came about, both their student and professional advisor experience at CSUSB, goals of the podcast, upcoming student deadlines, and the what's coming up for the first two podcast episodes. 

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Transcript

Unknown Speaker : 0:00

Welcome to the CSUSB advising podcast. Join us as we bring you the latest advising updates at Cal State San Bernardino. Each episode is specifically made for you the CSUSB students and parents. We provide you advising tips, interviews with both CSUSB campus resources and those in academic advising. Sit back and enjoy. Go coyotes

Unknown Speaker : 0:26

Hi. I'm Star Wildes and I'm here with advisor Matt Markin.

Unknown Speaker : 0:29

Hey and welcome to our preview episode of the CSUSB Advising Podcast. Go Yotes! Cal State San Bernardino. Star How are you?

Unknown Speaker : 0:38

I'm great. How are you doing today, Matt?

Unknown Speaker : 0:39

Doing well. So this is our preview episode, I guess you can consider like episode zero. We have our first episode we'll be posting on August 10. That's on a Monday. So be sure to come back and check that out. But I know when we were talking we thought hey, you know let's do a preview episode. Maybe talk to listeners about why we started this podcast. Who's it for? But I think before we get to that we should probably talk about who are we? You know if anyone's listening going, like, who's Star and Matt, and why are they doing this podcast? So I know we've both kind of grown up at Cal State San Bernardino. Yeah. Do you want to talk about your background like maybe some of your time as a student as what you do now? Jobs you've had?

Unknown Speaker : 1:24

Absolutely. And thank you so much, Matty. So I am an academic advisor for advising and academic services. I work here with my colleague, Matt, and also our amazing colleagues within advising and academic services, shout out to them. But I have been with advising and academic services, oh my gosh, more than over five years when the six years or seven. Time time flies. Time does fly. And so I started here as a student back in 2002, straight from high school, shout out to Arlington High Riverside. And so from there graduated With my Bachelors of Bachelors of Arts with psychology, minor in sociology. So, shout out to social and behavioral sciences, college of and also finished my Master's in Public Administration concentration leadership so, shout out to the business and public administration college. But yeah here and again, like Matt said, grew up here, worked in admissions. That's where I got to know Matt as a student and it was an amazing experience being that as part of the Educational Opportunity Program EOP as well as the SAIL Program and and we're excited because I know we'll be interviewing the SAIL Program, the SAIL Program standing for Student Assistance and learning. And again, shout out to my EOP and SAIL family, but also knowing those resources to help guide me in my academic journey, have various positions within Cal State and now an academic advisor. Love my job, love my colleagues that I work with and also helping to guide students in their hours. academic career. Little snippet of me, so Matt, tell me about your journey.

Unknown Speaker : 3:05

People can now guess our ages. So, in 2002 is when I started at Cal State San Bernardino as an undergrad where I then met Star so you can probably start doing the math to 2020 and there you go. So I was part of a Middle College High School program for Moreno Valley College on Rancho Verde, I was attending Canyon Springs High School, go cougars, and got to attend my last two years at Moreno Valley Community College and that was actually wonderful because I got knocked out two years of college and high school. And then technically, I mean, I had to apply as a first time freshmen, but I was really like a transfer student, but then graduated in 2004 at Cal State San Bernardino with my BA in psychology. So Star and I have the same degree, awesome. And then started working in the admissions office. From there so I was a student assistant. We both were and then after I graduated, got a staff job as a customer relations coordinator. So basically I supervised the front counter in admissions, then became an admissions evaluator and than admissions counselor, so I was meeting with students making admission decisions. And then I was also part partly working for the Education Opportunity Program, which was also a student. Yeah, I feel like we've we've been in various programs in the same degrees work in similar offices. And, yeah, and then from there since 2013, working in advising and academic services as an academic advisor. And I mean, now you're the undeclared coordinator in our office and I'm the graduation pledge coordinator. So we were meeting with and doing a lot of things with our undergrad students. But it's definitely been a great journey. And I know for me, like I couldn't have done it without the amazing professors teaching us and also the advising that I got from the Education Opportunity Program from wait, was your counselor Carolyn as well or no?

Unknown Speaker : 5:00

Gosh, yes, it was a shout out to Carolyn.

Unknown Speaker : 5:03

Carolyn A .Stevens who was our EOP counselor and made sure we were doing exactly what we needed to do, helping us along on this educational journey. And now she's at Alabama State. So yes, definitely shout out to Carolyn. Now, talk to us about the podcast Star. I mean, this is one of the first advising themed podcasts at Cal State San Bernardino.

Unknown Speaker : 5:27

Yes, absolutely. So this is the first and again, I'm gonna say it again, the first CSUSB advising podcast here at Cal State University of San Bernardino. We're truly excited and Matt, I remember us meeting about it. You discussing because you have done podcasts already. Right. So this is my first podcast, you know, coming up, and we're so excited, meeting with our colleagues and campus partners to give you information. But again, we do have our social media outlets at CSUSB advising Also, don't forget the at CSUSB grad pledge. But all this is just all information only want to make sure that students and our parents when you're listening in as a parent myself, I know I want to make sure that my kids keep up to date with things that are upcoming. So now I know we're going to be covering this. So tell us a little about what's coming up with students and parents and everybody listening once they will have access to through our podcast.

Unknown Speaker : 6:23

Absolutely. And a quick thanks to also Jonathan Hallford from Auburn University. So I know started we were talking about doing the podcast and also Jonathan Horford was talking about Auburn University and inquired about podcasts and both, you know, kind of spurred us kind of getting into this, you know, with fall starting So, I just wanted to kind of give a thanks to that as well. So yeah, so with the podcast, we're going to be interviewing those at Cal State San Bernardino, so campus resources, administrators, people that you will be interacting with whether virtually or of course once we're back on campus, you'll be able to see it Well, I mean, it's it's just another avenue to reach students and parents, whether you're new student, a parent of a new student coming in, or a continuing student. We want to make sure we have some type of information that we can give you. We post a lot of it on our social media, you get a lot of the official email notifications, but we just want to one extra way that we might be able to reach you and engage and connect with you. So these podcasts are gonna be coming out every second and fourth Monday of the month. So this is our preview episode. The first official episodes going out on Monday, August 10. And just like Star said, stay up to date. Follow us on our social media. So whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, CSUSB advising is where it's at. And if you're on Facebook or Instagram and you're part of the two or four year graduation pledge program, follow us at CSUSB grad pledge and we'll be always posting updates there, and then also when our podcast episodes are posted, but if it's student is listening right now and classes haven't started yet. Star I mean, some of the students asked about that tuition due date or when classes are starting. What do we got for them?

Unknown Speaker : 8:10

Yeah, so upcoming dates and deadlines. Coyotes. Don't forget to wish and due date is August 13. Again, August 13. That is a Thursday, Thursday, August 13. Make sure that you pay your tuition, how you pay your tuition, you go on your MyCoyote, make sure that you do check. Because what happened, Matt, if a student does not pay their tuition by the deadline,

Unknown Speaker : 8:33

Yeah, so if they don't get paid by the deadline, there is a chance that you may get dropped from classes and so we don't want that to happen. So make sure that you get that paid. Now if you are receiving financial aid and your financial aid recipient, then your fees are deferred until financia aid disperses the money which that is supposed to go out on August 12. And one of our upcoming episodes our first one we'll have someone from financial aid Diane Byrd to talk all about. And some of you have asked, well, when are classes starting? So if you're a continuing student, you're used to start in September when we're on the quarter system, but we are on semesters. So we are starting regular weekday classes start August 24. But Saturday classes actually start the Saturday before a couple days before so it will be on August 22. So don't forget, so make sure that you are continuing to check your email and check your Blackboard account. And of course, contact us if there's any questions. But then also, if you're thinking about applying for the two or four year graduation pledge program, and you're an incoming student for the fall 2020 term, just know that deadline is coming up on Friday, August 7, so make sure that you do apply. But Star, any advice for students that are whether they're new starting a Cal State or continuing at Cal State say, I mean, we went through spring quarter online. Any tips for students as they come in for the fall about virtual classes?

Unknown Speaker : 9:57

Absolutely. And here's my first tip for you take a deep breath. And I hope that you take a pause because guess what, we've been meeting with students. Right, Matt, we've meeting with students that are anxious, maybe fearful of what's new. I know with the current situation right now, you know, in online courses, I know a lot of students are anxious. They're they're fearful of what if the what if, what if, take a break. Make sure you you acknowledge those feelings, right? And then know to take one thing at a time. So I know that you know, the read books. Well, what if this What if that you will get the information? Do you have any questions? No, you can always reach out to us via email. That's advising@csusb.edu. You'd also follow anyone the grad pledge and or CSUSB advising, you could direct message us. Guess what, it's staff members. Let us know your questions. But please make sure that you also acknowledge that you've worked so hard to get to this point. We will help guide you through your academic journey and you've got this you will be able to do it. Please try not to stress out I know everyone's already, we're already stressed out a lot about everything that's going on, right? We want to make sure that we take a pause. Take a moment, if you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, step away from your computer for a little bit. And as you prepare for this coming fall, make sure that you give yourself credit. Reward yourself to use that we celebrate all the little steps right now, we celebrate board yourself with ice cream, maybe not one every day, but give yourself a reward. And and please make sure that you take care of yourself, we want you to be well. And I know that you know Zoom fatigue is a big thing. So I've met you know, and you could maybe touch on this but wait, what are your thoughts about what encouragement would you provide for students coming in for fall semester?

Unknown Speaker : 11:44

Oh, no, I liked everything you just said I would just say ditto to that. But it's definitely like, you know, try to try to get keep a routine going. I mean, it is different from being on campus. But if you have a space at home that's like your designated This is my school area. This is where I'm literally gonna study, join my sessions for my classes, whatever it might be like you have a designated area. Of course, any distractions, try to get rid of those, try to look at the phone as much or you're not next to the TV or something. If you have multiple family members, and you're all doing classes online, trying to figure out is there a schedule, you know that we're not all using the internet at the same time, because that could be an issue as well, if you go to the CSUSB homepage, so csusb.edu. At the top of the page, they do have the COVID-19 information, which also has resources for virtual learning will be beneficial for you technology that you could use, Internet access, all of that is listed there. So definitely take a look when you get a chance. Now one of the things too, that you might hear about is the terms synchronous as well as asynchronous. So with that, this is kind of how your instructors might be teaching the courses So they might use a synchronous format, which is essentially that the delivery of the class is real time. So more than likely through Zoom, I know. So you're talking about zoom fatigue, but zoom will probably be what will be used that you're actually use if they're using it synchronously. So it's actually a live class. So you join in on the day and time of your class with your other classmates through Zoom. Asynchronous would be more that your professor might post the class material. So they might pre record the lectures or post everything on Blackboard, which is our LMS or learning management system. And so they'll post maybe the reading assignments, the quizzes, the lectures, and you kind of work at your own pace, in a sense, and there's probably gonna be deadlines that we need to submit those documents, whether it's a paper or to do a quiz or an exam, so you make sure you stay on top of those deadlines. But in terms of logging in on the day and time at class through an asynchronous format, it's really work at your own pace. So hopefully, some of those tips will help but we got our first couple episodes already kind of ready to go star. So what's our first one that's coming up?

Unknown Speaker : 14:05

First one that's coming up is going to be amazing. So again, we have financial aid everyone, not everyone, but mostly a lot of questions here related to financial aid, especially as we begin our fall semester. And again, we're going from quarter to semester that's big for us being that Matt and I, as students, we've been used to not only taking courses in the quarter system, but also advising within the quarter system. So guess what? We are there with you and we will help guide you along the way. We have Diane Byrd from financial aid. We also have Dr. Davidson Boyd, who will be with us from undergraduate studies and we're just really excited. You'll get to know about information to come, financial aid and also undergraduate studies. And of course, our office is part of that within the division of our department of Undergraduate Studies. But again, not any thoughts far as our upcoming I'm just excited because it's my first so

Unknown Speaker : 15:03

yay. I mean, we got you know, two great interviews with financial aid to answer a lot of financial questions and then Dr. Lesley Davidson Boyd from undergrad studies. So we have, you know, an administrator it's going to be on as well. So like Dr. Davidson Boyd's, our Interim Associate Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate students. So she's got a lot of great information for you. I think it's going to be a fantastic, fantastic first episode. And then our second episode already that one's scheduled. It's going to be coming out on Monday, August 24. That is the first day of regular classes. So what a better time to have that on there. And we have a couple departments on there. One is our Student Assistance in Learning Program, which you're referring to earlier star, and they're going to be talking about what their program is all about if you can still apply the benefits of it, all that great stuff. And then we also have Bea Larez and Carlos Ramirez from the Office of the Registrar to talk about everything that they're doing and how they're supporting students virtually and really a lot of the deadlines that their office will be handling, especially with adding classes, dropping classes. If you have questions on change of majors, they handle that as well. And they'll talk about also, if you're close to graduating the graduation check, what is that? So a lot of great information that you'll be able to get within these first two episodes in August. And then we're just going to keep going September, October and keep it until we don't do the podcast anymore. And I think we're going to do this for a while. So a lot of great information for you, Yoties, and we look forward to have you listening to our podcast, but check us on social media. That's where you'll find us. And for me, Star, that's all I got. I think we're ready to to end this preview episode and get everything ready for the official episode one.

Unknown Speaker : 16:48

Yay, go yotes. We'll see you on social media and thank you so much for listening and we appreciate it.