A Q&A with Fulbright College Advising Center’s Tyler Garrett

Tyler Garrett
Master Academic Advisor in the Fulbright College Advising Center

In this conversation, Garrett talks about his love of advising and helping students succeed, incorporating TED Talks into his special topics course, enjoying cooking and hosting game nights to play Settlers of Catan, looking into continuing his own education, and how much fun it is to be a part of the Fulbright Family.

Q: Tell us a little about your research, academic passions and/or role within the college. What excites you about this?

I am an academic advisor in the Fulbright College Advising Center where I coordinate chemistry, geosciences, and political science advising. I advise a little over 400 students.

I meet with students to discuss their academic and professional goals, academic concerns and campus resources. I also assist in the process of clearing students for graduation.

Additionally, I serve as the peer mentor coordinator for our office’s interns that staff the advising lab. Currently, we have 17 peer mentors that assist students with basic questions and concerns about UAConnect, UASuccess and campus resources. They also assist advisors with projects. 

I really enjoy the variety of interests of my students and the special connections that I have to their departments. My partner, Ginny, and I completed our bachelor’s and master’s at the U of A. She was part of the Department of Geosciences and I was part of the Department of Political Science, so it is exciting to now work with the faculty, staff and students that were a big part of our college careers.

I also have a special connection with the Department of Chemistry. Chemistry is the department that I have coordinated the longest, so I have worked with most of the chemistry students from start to finish.

Also, I have been a University Perspectives instructor for the past few years. I genuinely enjoy working with first-year students and guiding them through their journey from high school to college.

This past semester I taught a special topic section called “Student Success through TED Talks”. We discussed a variety of tools that aid students throughout their first year and beyond. I incorporated TED Talks that provided a variety of viewpoints related to the topic of the week. The final project for the class was for the students to create their own five minute “TED Talk” that they had to present to our class.

It was such a fun experience!

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I started as a graduate assistant and part-time advisor with Fulbright College in January of 2014. I have been a full-time staff member in the Fulbright College since October of 2015.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is working with students one-on-one and watching them grow academically and professionally. I have worked with some students since their freshman year when I co-lead our first-year center.

It’s always exciting to meet with a student during their final appointment before they graduate and to learn about the exciting plans they have for their future. It’s always exciting to watch their faces light up when you tell them that once they finish their courses this semester that they will graduate.

I am always proud of them and all of their hard work.

Q: What do you most hope your students remember from their classes and/or interactions with you?

I hope that my students remember that they hold all the tools necessary to succeed. That sometimes it just takes talking through a situation with an advisor or trusted individual to realize that they can succeed in whatever they set their mind to completing.

I hope that my advisees remember me as a supportive figure that assisted them with their goals. Also, I hope that my University Perspectives students remember me as an informative instructor that made class and learning fun.

Finally, I hope that my students remember how proud I am of them and their accomplishments.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

One of my favorite things to do is to host game night. I love cooking and playing games, so hosting game nights is the best of both activities. I enjoy trying out new recipes or sharing a classic with friends.

As for games, I love playing them all. I enjoy card games like hand and foot or board games like Settlers of Catan.

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you?

I am exploring options to continue my education. Recently, I applied for doctoral programs for political science with the ultimate goal of being a college professor.

One of the best things about working in Fulbright College is the wealth of support for pursuing one’s passions.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

The final thing that I would like to leave readers with is that Fulbright College is an amazing place to be a student and an employee.

I have enjoyed being part of the Fulbright family since 2009. The faculty, staff, and students in the Fulbright College are incredible.