Gerri Wolfe, Best of State at NACADA

The University of Georgia Regents' Center for Learning Disorders (RCLD) is one of three centers across the state of Georgia established by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents to provide assessment, training, research, and resources related to students who have learning disorders (e.g., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury) that impact their functioning in the academic environment. Housed in the Franklin College, the UGA RCLD serves students attending USG institutions located in the northeastern part of the state.

Gerri Wolfe, is Liaison for the USG Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders and the Program Coordinator for BreakThru, a National Science Foundation project designed to provide online, avatar-based virtual mentoring to students in STEM courses. Wolfe, along with Summer Ienuso of Georgia Tech, earned the Best of State award from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Region 4. Dr. Wolfe’s presentation, Connect, Learn, BreakThru: Virtual STEM eMentoring for Students with Disabilities, earned the highest evaluation marks and as the Best in State winner, she will receive an NACADA general membership for one year and the opportunity to present her program at the regional NACADA conference in Auburn, AL in April 2015. Dr. Wolfe’s presentation details the BreakThru program, an innovative learning/mentoring environment that combines social networking and virtual communities to encourage students with learning challenges to pursue STEM majors. BreakThru is a five year funded project from the National Science Foundation.

This is incredibly important work that, because it doesn't arise froma conventional academic department, might go overlooked yet has great impact on many students from across the state for decades. An outcome of good policymaking, RCLD is crucial to expanding learning opportunities for the people of Georgia and beyond. Congratulations to Dr. Wolfe. We are honored by her accomplishments and proud of this distinction for her work in STEM eMentoring.