Office Hours: Professor Tina Brashers

Office Hours

Professor Tina Brashers

By Chelsea Marcelin

Valentina Brashers is a professor that hails from the Nursing and Medical program here at U.Va. Professor Brashers has been with the University for a whopping 26 years! - working for 4 years part time and then moving into a full time faculty member for the past 22 years. Outside of the classroom, she is a fly-fishing fanatic! The license plate on her tundra even reads: "Ryr Fishn".

Want to learn more about Professor Brashers? Let’s hear what she has to say about her experiences as a professor at UVA:

How you became involved in your field:

“I went to medical school because I was interested in science. I completed a research/clinical pulmonary fellowship that involved teaching - fell in love with teaching and found the opportunity to teach in the School of Nursing (pathophysiology and immunology) part time while still in private practice. Teaching grew into a full time job. I am now the founding Co-Director of the University of Virginia Center for Academic Strategic Partnerships for Interprofessional Research and Education (Center for ASPIRE) focused on training medical and nursing students, faculty, and clinicians in providing high-quality collaborative team-based patient care."

Favorite thing about UVa:

"The Students!!!!!!!!"

Funny Story/Memory from a class:

“Too many to count and no time to type any out and do them justice......Only brief but repetitively funny thing I can say here is: Students at all levels are incredibly smart across the board - able to ace really hard exams and take care of complex patients, but an average of 10-15% per exam are entirely incapable of putting their correct computing IDs on an examination. Even though I talk VERY slowly while giving instructions and write it on the board, I still get SS#s, zip codes, telephone numbers, and other wierd things...  I even once wrote MY email address on the board saying "See, this is my computing ID - it is the part before the @ in the email address - put yours on the exam" and had 3 students put MY computing ID on their exams... sigh... ” 

Want to take a class with Professor Brashers? She teaches tons of classes here at U.Va. including Pathology and Clinical Management I and II, RN-BSN Pathophysiology, Advanced (Masters) Pathophysiology, Immunocompetence in Vulnerable Populations (in the January Term), and a Transition Course for the Medical School. Check her out!!!

Saturday Q&A: Part IV

Saturday Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Tours...

Every week we'll post answers to prospective students' questions. Some will be FAQs from tours, like this week, and others will be responses to comments and emails received via this blog. If you have a question about a post we've covered previously, comment to ask us for more information. Have we not covered it yet? Email us at UVaSummer14@virginia.edu and we'll reply with an answer!

Can I have a meal plan after my first year?

Yes, we have many meal plan options that are available to our second, third, and fourth year students. The meal plan options offered to our upperclassmen students are different and more varied than the plans offered to first year students. You can also choose to not have a meal plan after your first-year if you decide you want to cook for yourself more or take advantage of the wide variety of restaurants that we have in Charlottesville and near Grounds.
--Will Bennett

Do undergraduates have the chance to participate in research?

There are many opportunities for students to get involved with research at the University - both on and off grounds. U.Va. is a large research University that is also very undergraduate focused, so right off the bat students can get involved in lab work (the most popular being in the social science, science, and psychology departments for example), work at a research institute off grounds, or help conduct studies and interviews in a multitude of subjects! Many of these research opportunities are open to all students and majors and can even count for academic credits at the University. Undergraduates can have a lot of responsibility within these projects, so it’s a great experience for those who want to participate!

--Chelsea Marcelin

What outdoor activities are available for students?

There are so many outdoor activities available to students. There are plenty of running and hiking trails near the New Dorm area close to observatory hill. There is also several popular hiking trails available with spectacular views - Old Rag, Humpback, and Sugar Hill are popularly attended by the students. In addition, there are several waterfalls nearby and also for the wintertime there is skiing at Evergreen.

--Wyatt Moorer

Follow Friday: Part V

Follow Friday

Part V: See Our @UVa_Summer Instagram!

Don't forget to follow @UVa_Summer and search the hashtag #UVaSummer on Instagram! To view the Instagram in your browser, click here.

Below are some of our top Instagrams from the past week from us and UVa students!

"Any day is a great day for a stroll down the Corner! 'Le vent nous portera #UVaSummer'"

6.22.14

"Visited grounds lately? There's usually a ton more students crowded around the Lawn, like in this pic courtesy of @wyattmoorer12! #UVaSummer #Latergram"

6.23.14

"Anyone up for some rooftop yoga in #CVille? Namaste, courtesy of @vemercadooo, Class of 2017 #UVaSummer"

6.24.14

Hear Us Shout & Roar: The 2014-2015 Basketball Season

Hear Us Shout & Roar 

The 2014-2015 Basketball Season

by Wyatt Moorer

Basketball season is only 100 days away. Which means it’s time to start gathering all your Wahoo gear and prepare for another great basketball run. Basketball games are all free for students to attend at UVA. However, there is a lottery system by which students receive tickets. The more UVA sporting events you go to, the higher chance you will have of getting tickets to the games. Basketball games are easy to get to and always a great study break or chance to hang out with friends while cheering for the Hoos.

Our basketball team was exceptional in the 2013-2014 season. We were the regular season ACC champs and the ACC tournament champs. We advanced into the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament where we fell short in a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State. Wahoo fans have confidence that we can continue our basketball success in the 2014-2015 season.

Let's Get Traditional: Secret Societies

Let's Get Traditional

Secret Societies 

by Will Bennett

If you have ever been to UVa and walked around grounds, you have probably seen several letters or numbers painted on buildings, stairs, and other areas. These are the symbols of some of the secret societies that we have at UVa. The most commonly seen symbols are those of the Z Society, the 7 Society, and the IMP Society, but there are several other societies on grounds-- in fact, UVa boasts the second-highest number of secret societies of any university in the country! Many of the secret societies that exist at UVa date back to the beginning of the 20^th century, or even earlier into the 19^th and 18^th centuries. These societies function mainly as philanthropic groups that give back to the UVa community in a variety of ways; for example, they often donate money to the administration and sometimes write letters addressing the student body or the administration. 

The secret societies at UVa will also perform smaller acts of kindness for the students at UVa. One of my personal interactions with a secret society was last year during finals week of the fall semester. I was working hard in Clemons Library with several of my friends and before we knew it, it was past midnight. All of a sudden, four people in black cloaks and white masks entered the library carrying two dozen Domino's pizzas. They set the pizzas down on some tables without saying a word, and then walked out of the library. Given the fact that there are so many secret societies here at UVa, even to this day I can't be sure which society it was. What I do know is that it was an incredibly kind gesture that everyone in the library really enjoyed that night. Secret societies aren't guaranteed to be a huge part of every student's UVa experience, but many will be able to graduate with a favorite story or interaction with at least one!

In the Audience: Virginia Film Festival

In the Audience

Virginia Film Festival

by Andrew Barat

Every November, Charlottesville hosts the Virginia Film Festival where you can see anything from new movies before they are released worldwide to showings of classics like Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  The festival is held primarily at the downtown mall, but takes advantage of theaters around that area and UVa as well. 

The perk of being a UVa student for this event is that you can reserve a free ticket for yourself for any of the movies being shown.  I have taken advantage of this both years I have been in Charlottesville for the festival, seeing a movie with my friends and then enjoying other things the downtown mall offers, like dining and shopping.  The lineup of movies changes every year, so check out the Virginia Film Festival’s website to stay up to date on what will be happening this year.

One thing to keep in mind is that the festival is not limited to watching movies.  Many visitors take the time to walk around the downtown mall to see performances from local groups as well as student organizations, such as a capella or theater organizations.  Walking the mall before the film I saw was just as fun as the movie itself and I highly encourage everyone to take advantage of this event during their time at UVa or in Charlottesville.

If you want to learn more about the Virginia Film Festival, like what movies will be playing or what special events are going on, or if you want to apply to intern with the festival, check out their website!

And visit Jared Morgan's blog post to find more things to do at the downtown mall throughout the year.

My Date with CVille: Touring Monticello

My Date with CVille

Touring Monticello

by Jared Morgan

In three years, I've been to Monticello multiple times and never gotten tired of the trip. Recognizable as that building on the back of the nickle, this home of Thomas Jefferson is (along with UVa) a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its tours are thought provoking and intriguing, with topics ranging from TJ's impact on the American canon for architectural design, to how the building was designed to hide his slaves' working quarters, to his many books and inventions, to his relationship with slave Sally Hemmings.

A trip can be a full day event, with an introductory movie, walking tour of Monticello and its grounds, and great restaurants and gift shops located right on the mountain. It can also be perfectly accompanied by a historical tour of UVa (led by the University Guide Service throughout the academic year) or simply a scenic drive through the area in the Fall or Spring.

Want to know why Thomas Jefferson's bedding was pink? Want to know how he designed a clock using cannonballs? Looking to see who was cool enough back in the day to make it on the walls of his expansive portrait gallery? Then make your way to Monticello!

Cost
-Depends on tour
-UVa student discount

Transportation
-About a 20 minute drive from UVa Central Grounds

Saturday Q&A: Part III

Saturday Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Tours...

Every week we'll post answers to prospective students' questions. Some will be FAQs from tours, like this week, and others will be responses to comments and emails received via this blog. If you have a question about a post we've covered previously, comment to ask us for more information. Have we not covered it yet? Email us at UVaSummer14@virginia.edu and we'll reply with an answer!

Do I choose a roommate or am I assigned one?

There are two options when it comes to deciding who you want to room with in your first year dorm.  Some students find someone with similar interests on the admitted students Facebook page or choose to room with a friend.  The other option that is available is to do a random assignment. A student wishing to be placed with a random roommate will fill out a questionnaire about his or her daily habits and routines, and UVa will match him or her with someone who submitted a questionnaire with similar answers.
--Andrew Barat

Do you feel safe on grounds?

Simply put, yes. The reason I feel so safe is because I'm aware of the numerous precautionary measures UVa has in place to ensure a safe and secure environment.  For example,  UVa has a university-wide emergency alert system that sends a text message and email to all students once it is activated. Plus, every emergency alert is displayed on LCD screens in buildings around Grounds and a siren goes off to alert anyone outside. Our residential halls require both a key and cardswipe for entrance and the doors lock automatically upon exit. Our SafeRide program, a sort of taxi service that begins once the University bus system stops running for the evening, provides students with a ride home from anywhere on Grounds free of charge. And lastly,  there are emergency lights all throughout grounds with a button that students can press if they ever feel unsafe that will connect them directly to the local police.

--Belén Osman

What does UVa do to help students get jobs or internships?

At UVa we have an awesome career services department. They'll meet with you to go over resumes, do mock interviews, and they even organize job fairs, internship fairs, and networking events with the organizations that come and recruit at UVa. They also run our online database for applying to jobs, CavLink. They're a fantastic resource, and I've spent many hours prepping for internship and job hunts in their offices. For more information and stats, visit University Career Services's website, Facebook page, and follow UCS on Instagram and Twitter at UVaUCS!

--Jared Morgan

Follow Friday: Part IV

Follow Friday

Part IV: See Our @UVa_Summer Instagram!

Don't forget to follow @UVa_Summer and search the hashtag #UVaSummer on Instagram! To view the Instagram in your browser, click here.

Below are some of our top Instagrams from the past week from us and UVa students!

"The perks of getting up early enough on a weekend in #CVille! 'Summer Sundays at the farmer's market @shenanigans4 #UVaSummer'"

6.15.14

"These students are spending the #UVaSummer in Ireland thanks to a University Internship Program set up through our Cooper Center for Public Service. #Wahoowa! @ral2274, Class of 2015"

6.16.14

*Retweeted by UVa Career Services @UVaUCS

"#tbt to that time the Rotunda burnt down #1895problems"

6.19.14

#WeAreAllUVa: India Day

#WeAreAllUVa

India Day

by Hawa Ahmed

One of the largest cultural affinity groups on Grounds is the Indian Student Association (ISA). The ISA’s mission is “to educate the community on the culture, tradition, religions, and arts of the Indian subcontinent.” Throughout the year, they plan many service and cultural events, culminating with India Day in the spring semester - a grand finale of sorts!

There are performances of the first and fourth-year classes as well as dances from several Indian-interest student groups. Not to mention free Indian food at the end of the evening! mmmm Samosas!

Here are some of the groups featured at India Day:

 

Ektaal, UVa's only South Asian-American a capella group. 

 

HooRaas and Sharaara are two competitive dance teams with Desi and Asian fusion influences, respectively.

Hoo's Abroad? Molly in Germany!

Hoo's Abroad?

Molly in Germany!

by Veronica Mercado

This global Wahoo is Molly Davey, a rising second year in the School of Engineering and Applied Science majoring in Computer Science. She just returned from a whirlwind trip across Germany, where she visited Braunschweig, Wolfsburg, Dresdin, and Berlin!

What made you choose this place? The engineering program that I am in was offering a special course (only in Germany) that partnered with Volkswagen in order to solve a problem which their company is currently facing. I selected Germany because the experience was unique and our group's research had the potential to change the thought process of a multibillion dollar automobile manufacturer. When selecting Germany I was also persuaded by the fact that my favorite engineering professor, Dana Elzey, was leading the trip. Professor Elzey is fluent in German, formerly lived and studied in Germany, and has led similar trips in the past.

What classes did you take? The class I was enrolled in is called "Special Topics in Engineering: Global Ingenuity Cross-Cultural Engineering Design."

What was the biggest learning experience you had? While in Braunschweig we had the opportunity to work alongside German engineering students. Working with the students I learned about what it is like to work in an international team, a skill set that I find crucial for working in our growing global business economy. I would say that collaborative international teamwork was the greatest learning experience I had while abroad.

Office Hours: Professor Natasha Foutz

Office Hours

Professor Natasha Foutz

By Chelsea Marcelin

Natasha Foutz is a well known professor in the famous McIntire School of Commerce here at UVA. She has been with the University for 6 years now! Fun fact about Professor Foutz, If students work hard, she rewards them with an invitation to her ping pong challenge - few can beat her!

Want to learn more about Professor Foutz? Let’s hear what she has to say about her experiences as a professor at UVA:

How you became involved in your field:

“I became intrigued by consumer psychology and firm competitive strategy while in college studying Economics. Then I pursued advanced studies on Marketing, which perfectly combines the two, at Cornell University. Besides passionate about teaching and my students, I focus on addressing unique marketing challenges facing the media and entertainment industries in my research."

Favorite thing about UVa:

“Taking students out to lunches"

Funny Story/Memory from a class:

“As an ice-breaker on the first day of our I.C.E. class, the co-teaching faculty team invited the students to guess which description of a first-ever job belongs to which faculty. When asked why one particular description matches me, one student answered “because Professor Foutz appears conservative.” So I found a skydiving image online, artfully replaced the head shot with my own, and showed to them in the second class. The picture appeared so real that instantly, I became known as the “non-conservative, daring professor!” Of course, I revealed the truth in exchange for long-lasting laughs, and devoted my entire semester to show them that I am indeed a crazily fun professor.” 

Want to take a class with Professor Foutz? She teaches I.C.E. (Integrated Core Experience) – Core Marketing Management (3^rd year core); and Entertainment Marketing (4^th year elective) in the McIntire School of Commerce. Check her out!!!