Staff NEWS

June 13, 2007


"Getting To Know You"

 

Carol Gonzalez

        

Student Ombudsperson

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

 

 

 

 

Background

  • Native of San Antonio

  • Graduate of Thomas Edison High School

  • Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from St. Mary’s University

  • Master of Business Administration degree in Management from Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)

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    Experience: Almost 16 years of higher education experience from OLLU and UTSA in the following areas: undergraduate and graduate admissions processing and recruiting, advising, financial aid, scholarships, teaching, and veteran affairs; Since 1997 at UTSA, served as Academic Counselor and Assistant Director (downtown and 1604) for the Tomás Rivera Center and as Director of the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center; Began my current position in September of 2005.

     

    Describe your job:  My primary role is to assist students who are encountering challenges within the campus community by listening to concerns, providing and clarifying information, identifying and evaluating options, acting as a facilitator or mediator, serving as a referral agent, and making recommendations for change.  Parents and other individuals are also assisted within privacy guidelines in an effort to possibly remedy a particular situation.  I communicate with various representatives and offices to respond to concerns.  I also encourage referrals from staff and faculty when they come across student situations they feel might need/benefit from some additional assistance.

     

    What is the most unusual job related case you have worked on?  The situations I work on can range from almost anything from A to Z.  I try my best to handle each case as if it were my first and provide timely feedback.  In most instances, situations were taken care of through clarification and information or by direct communication with on-campus representatives.  Everyone has been very helpful and I learn a lot in the process as well.  In other cases, situations needed to be sorted out to determine the best course of action. 

    What job skills do you use most often?  I really strive to engage in active listening by asking questions, restating, and summarizing.  I also try to frame things with positive language.  This helps to build rapport and hopefully creates an environment where individuals feel they can openly communicate.

    How do you unwind?  I love to spend time with my family and visit with friends.  I also like to go to the movies, read, draw, take pictures, and window shop.  My sisters and I also formed a bible study recently so this has been a nice way for us to get together and connect spiritually.

    What advice would you give to other Student Affairs staff?  Tell those you love that you love them, treat others the way they would like to be treated; do something nice for someone out of the blue; when things seem overwhelming, try to break down what you need to do into smaller manageable tasks; and do not forget to have fun (smile).

     See Student Affairs Student Ombudsperson  and Student Concern Form