Summary
Hi - my name is Kristi Van Gorder and I am the Assistant Dean for Academic Success for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Nevada, Reno. I am a proud native Nevadan who grew up in Reno. I attended the University of Oregon with a major in Journalism for my undergraduate degree and a graduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa with a master's degree in College Student Development. My internship for graduate school at Nevada landed me my first job in higher education and I have been here ever since. I will complete my 25th year in January 2024. Time flies!
I absolutely love meeting with prospective students and being a part of our Freshmen in Transition (FIT) program. Look for me in the Weigand Fitness Center during FIT to play dodgeball! Academic advising was my calling. Many years ago, I remember helping my sorority sisters select their classes and thought this is really fun and I learned so much about people and academics. And that was all it took - well, I have to give credit to my academic advisor who encouraged me to pursue my passion of working with students and go to graduate school. I have served in various capacities at Nevada from recruiting undergraduate students to assisting transfer students with course articulation. However, for the last 20 years I have been with the College of Liberal Arts leading recruitment, academic advising and retention efforts. I'm very grateful for our amazing team of academic advisors. Our team has grown from one (me) to twelve. Our purpose is to guide students toward their definition of success. We approach advising holistically with an emphasis on developmental and appreciative advising. Each day is a new adventure fueled by curiosity from our students, advisors and faculty.
Outside of my career at the university, I am very passionate about outdoor pursuits. I love alpine skiing at our local Mt. Rose ski resort with my family and friends. I enjoy going to Lake Tahoe to mountain bike, paddleboard, hike and see the Shakespeare Festival at beautiful Sand Harbor each summer. I enjoy reading biographies, watching documentaries and listening to a full range of music. My family's new hobby is pickleball! Besides humans, my family has some four-legged friends - including two golden retrievers (Louie and Sully) and a guinea pig (Elle Woods).
As a prospective student, I hope you will consider visiting our beautiful campus and engaging with our students, advisors and faculty at a Nevada Bound event.
Education
- Bachelor's in Journalism, University of Oregon
- Master's in College Student Development, University of Northern Iowa