AdviseVA

Claim your UVA kitchen towel today! Your $25+ gift to AdviseVA will dish up support for students across the Commonwealth. Make your gift here: http://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/75449/donations/new?a=12121486&designation_id=19082&

This campaign is a collaboration with UVA’s Office of
Engagement: UVA Engagement

It's that time of year again—if you give $25+ to AdviseVA, we’ll send you a pair of UVA-themed socks! By warming your feet this fall, you'll be warming our hearts and making a difference for Virginia's students. Make your gift here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/68330/donations/new?a=10881072&designation_id=19082&

Up next in our regional spotlight series: Region 5! ⭐

Valley region Advisers bring consistency, care, and direction to students as they explore new opportunities and plan their paths ahead. Their commitment ensures every student feels supported and prepared for what’s next.

Let’s hear it for this team and the lasting difference they’re making in their schools across the region!

Say hello to Region 2: Tidewater! 🌟 As our newest region, these advisers are already making an incredible impact by ensuring students feel confident and supported in their futures.

Show some love for Tidewater, and keep following along for more regional highlights coming soon!

Next up in our 20 Stories Series, Jasmine Milone!

In her story, she shares how AdviseVA advisers have become part of the very fabric of her school community—supporting students with compassion, knowledge, and a peer-to-peer model that makes a lasting impact.

Read the full story on our website: https://adviseva.virginia.edu/blog/jasmine-milone

It’s back-to-school season, and our Pathways Advisers are already making an impact! 🌟

First up in our regional spotlight series: Central Virginia. These advisers are hard at work ensuring students feel supported and informed as they take steps toward their futures.

Join us in celebrating this dedicated team, and keep an eye out as we highlight our other regions throughout the next few weeks!

Last week, AdviseVA hosted our second annual Community Welcome Dinner! Current UVA students who were served by Pathways Advisers in high school gathered to connect, reflect on their journeys, and learn about the amazing resources across Grounds.

Huge thanks to our UVA staff for supporting the evening, and to The Jefferson Trust for making this gathering possible!

The second story in our 20th anniversary series comes from Todd Ryan, the Director of Guidance and Counseling at Louisa County High School. Mr. Ryan has supervised AdviseVA advisers since the program began in 2005.

What do you remember about your first AdviseVA adviser?

I remember our first College Guide (it was called the College Guide program back then) was a gentleman named Bryan Eckstein. He was here for one year, and we had to MacGyver an office in the back of the library, as we did not have any true office space for him. It was such a blessing to have a person who could focus all of their attention on the college application process for our kids. He was the first to ask why we did not offer the SAT at Louisa - and since that time, we have offered it every year.

What have been some of your favorite or most memorable experiences working with an AdviseVA adviser?

My most memorable experiences generally come at the end of the school year when I get to see the genuine appreciation the students have for the Adviser. It is hard to impress high school kids, but when they give a standing ovation, it means they have been uniquely
impacted.

How has your experience with advisers and AdviseVA generally evolved over the course of your time as a site supervisor?

We have generated a strong and sustained partnership with AdviseVA leadership and staff - Keith Roots, Joy Pugh and now Alex Johnston-Coleman. These folks have been champions of Louisa and AdviseVA! Our community has come to expect the confident and competent services of the Pathways Adviser and they do not disappoint. From its inception, the advising program has been a blessing to Louisa County HS and our county.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time with AdviseVA?

I truly love seeing the growth in the advisers from the first summer training until graduation two years later. As I come to the twilight of my career, I can honestly say that being affiliated with AdviseVA has been one of the personal and professional highlights of my close to 30-year tenure as a school counselor.

Last week, our program staff and Pathways Advisers set out on a multi-day road trip across Virginia and the D.C. metro area to visit a variety of postsecondary institutions. These visits gave our team valuable insight into the pathways, programs, and support services available to students.

Day 1: Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, James Madison University, and Shenandoah University.

Day 2: George Mason University, Marymount University, and Howard University.

Day 3: Eastern Virginia Career College, Shannon School of Aeronautics, and University of Mary Washington.

After touring these career-focused institutions, public and private universities, and HBCUs, we are better equipped than ever to guide students toward the right fit for their futures. Huge thanks to our host campuses for sharing their time and expertise with us!