KU names new director of Undergraduate Advising Center
LAWRENCE — Randall Brumfield has been named the new director of the Undergraduate Advising Center at the University of Kansas after a nationwide search. Brumfield joins KU from the University of Central Florida, where he has worked closely with students in a variety of roles.
"We are very excited to have Dr. Brumfield join the KU community," said Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic affairs. "The role of the Undergraduate Advising Center is taking on added significance as we implement Bold Aspirations, our strategic plan. Dr. Brumfield has the ability and experience that will be needed to build upon the almost 15 years of tremendous support for KU students at the UAC. Under his leadership, the UAC will play a pivotal role as we work towards our goals of increasing our first-year retention rate and ensuring more of our students leave KU with their degree."
Brumfield currently serves as a director for student services for regional campuses at the University of Central Florida. He previously served as director of undergraduate student services for the UCF College of Business Administration. During his last year as director in 2011, the college enrolled approximately 8,000 students, and the advising office recorded over 17,000 visits.
"I was drawn to KU by the amazing opportunities that exist to expand the role of the Undergraduate Advising Center," Brumfield said. "I am looking forward to working with the talented group of people who commit themselves to the success of KU's undergraduate students on a daily basis. Working together, I'm confident we can meet the goals that have been set by the chancellor and the provost."
Brumfield has received national awards from NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) for advising technology innovation and from NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, for improving academic advising services. He earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the Univeristy of Arkansas in 2007. Brumfield also has a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas.
The Undergraduate Advising Center provides comprehensive academic advising services for new, undeclared and preprofessional students from a variety of majors across the Lawrence campus. The UAC provides assistance to students who are deciding on or changing majors and is responsible for finding clear paths for students to declare majors and linking them to advising within the major in a seamless transition. The UAC collaborates with academic units on campus, other offices in Undergraduate Studies, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Equity and Diversity, and appropriate offices across the campus to ensure a positive environment for academic advising at the University of Kansas.
The mission of the UAC is to help University of Kansas students take ownership of their education by: (1) providing accurate and personalized academic information; (2) educating students about their academic responsibility; (3) helping students identify and integrate the many resources of the University; and (4) assisting and advocating for students as they experience a variety of college transitions.
The UAC opened in August 1997 as the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.