You hear a lot from us on this blog, and we wanted to give you the chance to meet other advisors in our office and across campus. So every once in a while we’ll spotlight someone new.

Today meet Arturo Zavala – the newest addition to the  Office of Academic Advising. Arturo works with all students and is fluent in Spanish.  We asked Arturo some questions and here’s what he had to say:

academic advisor Arturo Zavala

1. Why do you like working at the University of Oregon?

I love meeting and talking with students.  I like hearing their stories and how they see the world.   Every journey is unique. I see my job as helping students shape and discover new worlds and identities.  It reminds me that you are never too old to learn or to be passionate about a dream.

2. What was a memorable turning point in your own education?

Two points come to mind.  In fifth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Buck rewarded  me with a book when I helped in her the classroom. That totally changed the way I thought about books.  After high school, I got a fulltime job working at a cabinet shop because I enjoyed working with wood.  After only eight months I realized that just because you enjoying doing something, that doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it as a career.  So, I went back to school.

3. What do you do when you are not advising?

I’m a professional mariachi musician on the weekends. I love to eat and cook, so I frequent the local restaurants and markets.  I enjoy hiking, especially with my two pugs, Indie and Ozzie.  On sunny days I love walking around campus or stretching out on the lawn and reading a book.  On rainy days I like to check out new exhibits at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

 You hear a lot from us on this blog, and we wanted to give you the chance to meet other advisors in our office and across campus. So every once in a while we’ll spotlight someone new.

Today meet Jenni Van Wyk – Academic Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising. Jenni works with all students, but she specializes in advising students who are pursuing health-related careers.  We asked Jenni some questions and here’s what she had to say:

Jenni Van Wyk

Why do you like working at the University of Oregon?

I love being around people, students and professionals, who are constantly LEARNING.  It challenges me to continually learn, both personally and professionally.  I love hearing students’ stories, what they want to do with their major and life after UO, and hear their excitement when they realize they are 16 credits away from graduating.  My friends and colleagues also keep me interested in becoming a better advisor and person as I read books they recommend, go to places in Oregon they’ve been to, and try new activities I’ve never tried before.

What was a memorable turning point in your own education?

I was a senior and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after college. I was earning a BA in Biology with a German minor, and loved what I studied, but just couldn’t make the connection with my major and a career.  Through my extracurricular activities I was working with professionals whose job it was to help students in college.  I decided that’s what made me happiest – all the things I was involved with outside of the classroom.  I wanted to stay in college for the rest of my life, but I had to figure out how to get paid for it.  I approached my Greek Advisor who pointed me in the right direction.  I got my masters degree in student affairs, and I love working in higher education!

Some students struggle to adjust to rainy Oregon winters. What have you found helps you through them?

I  just moved to Oregon from the Midwest (Chicago) and I love the rain.  It is so much better than December, January, and February in Illinois when the temperatures are well below freezing (one day in February the high for the day was -7, and with the wind-chill, it felt like -25!).  I prefer rain over the “freeze your face off” cold.  Students usually laugh and agree with me.  Everything is green all winter long, instead of brown frozen grass, gray-white snow, and bare trees.  It’s all about perspective.  And WOW, there’s flowers blooming in February around here!