Patterson receives UC Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award

On April 11, University of Cincinnati Senior Academic Advisor Corrine Patterson received the UC Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award. This university award recognizes exceptional work in first-year student learning, development and success and honors recipients for their positive impact on the university culture.

"This award was really representative of how rewarding this past year has been," Patterson said.

Patterson advises all first-year students accepted into UC's Freshman Engineering Program and Engineering and Applied Science Entrance program, two first-year tracks for undecided and conditionally admitted engineering students.

Patterson has helped transform the way these students transition into their best-fit majors. Part of her goal is breaking down students' fixed mindsets.

"A large number of these students come in set on majors like mechanical or aerospace engineering," Patterson said. "Our job is to break down these barriers and help these students see the connections and overlapping elements between programs."

Patterson is also interested in building trusting relationships with students through authentic conversations. She enjoys seeing students grow over their first year and being part of that shaping process.

"One of the great things about working with first-year programs is you can really reinvent the culture in a short amount of time," Patterson said. "Creating an environment where these students have someone who knows them and who they trust is very powerful."