The College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University now has its very first academic advisor. Mr. Vivek Shastry assumed the new role in October 2017, and will act as a resource for department chairs and faculty advisors in the college by offering trainings and handling escalated issues such as probation and suspension, course credit and substitutions and summer readmission.
Shastry, who received his BFA in graphic design from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from Point Park University, comes to the college with a variety of advising experience. He has worked in admissions, recruitment, enrollment and student support, not only assisting and guiding students and their families, but working with faculty and administration to facilitate student success.
“I am very excited to be part of the Mountaineer family and have the opportunity to collaborate with our talented faculty to make impactful differences in students’ lives,” said Shastry. “I look forward to meeting all of our faculty and staff and leading strategic initiatives that will strengthen our advising program.”
In addition to his advising experience, Shastry served as the Staff Morale and Motivation Committee chair while at the New York Institute of Technology. In this role, he worked to increase staff engagement and retention.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vivek into the role of academic advisor,” remarked Phyllis Kloda, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. “He has great energy in addition to diverse experience, and is already implementing new ideas to help faculty advisors and facilitate student success.”
To learn more about Shastry and his role in the college, email shastryv@appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 18,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Mr. Vivek Shastry
Mr. Vivek Shastry was hired as the College of Fine and Applied Arts first academic advisor. Photo by Marie Freeman