Karen Rubin has dedicated her career to helping students reach the promised land of graduation. Beginning this fall, she has landed in San Francisco as the new director of the College of Liberal & Creative Arts’ Advising Resource Center (ARC).
At the center, students can get help with petitions, choosing classes and a wide range of advising topics including probation, educational resources, scholarships, student records and honors. It also has a computer lab and study area.
“The Advising Resource Center for the College of Liberal & Creative Arts has grown from one to seven extraordinary professional advisers serving more than 7,000 undergraduate majors in the college,” Susan B. Shimanoff, College of Liberal & Creative Arts associate dean of student and curricular services. “I am very pleased that this vibrant team will be directed by Dr. Karen Rubin with her disciplinary education in letters and history, her previous supervisory experience in advising and community engagement, and her proven track record in student success grounded in innovation and caring.”
The center’s advisers place an emphasis on offering excellent, one-on-one service to all students.
“I am delighted to join the ARC advising team, known for their warmth and ability to build relationships with students, helping them navigate difficult decisions and construct meaningful academic plans consistent with their life goals,” Rubin said. “Together we can expand this robust system for students and continue to ensure faculty advisers have the support needed to foster student success.”
As advising director for Valdosta State University’s College of Education and Human Services in Georgia the past three years, Rubin led a staff that advised about 1,200 students. She was honored 26 times for her personal, empathetic approach.
Prior, Rubin was director of academic community engagement at the Florida Campus Compact, a coalition of more than 50 colleges that aims to enhance student learning and benefit communities throughout the state. Rubin, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, has also taught courses in history and women studies at Florida State University. She also has been an environmental education program director for the city of Tallahassee, Florida, and a project manager and grant writer for Malcolm Pirnie Engineering. Rubin holds a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in history from Florida State. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in letters from University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the National Academic Advising Association.— Matt Itelson