Nanook Navigator and Student Success Spotlight: Abel Bult-Ito
The Nanook Navigator and Student Success spotlight for April is Abel Bult-Ito. Bult-Ito is a professor of neurobiology and neurophysiology in the Department of Biology and Wildlife.
Why are you passionate about UAF students and their success?
UAF students are very diverse in their experience, age, goals, and future careers, to name just a few. I really enjoy working with people from different backgrounds because they enrich the learning environment and my experiences as an instructor and advisor. We have so much to learn from each other.
Favorite part about being an instructor?
My favorite part of being an instructor and advisor is to work with students collaboratively. The more I have the opportunity to be in a collaborative environment with students the more everyone will get out of it. So, I see myself as a guide, advisor, and peer, not as an authority figure who doles out knowledge.
What is your favorite feature in Nanook Navigator?
Being able to send alerts and progress reports to advisors of students in my courses. This is an effective way of getting someone else to help with a student in need who may not be comfortable discussing their issues with me in the context of the course they are taking with me.
How long have you been utilizing Nanook Navigator?
About three years.
Tips, advice, or ideas to support other Nanook Navigator users or student success practices?
It takes a bit of time to get to know the functionality of Nanook Navigator, but once you are past this it is a useful tool to get in touch with advisees and receive information about your advisees who may need your help.
Nanook Navigator and student success resources
Newsletters and past spotlights
For more information about Nanook Navigator, contact Jessica Skipper at jrskipper@alaska.edu.