Penn State Abington

Academics - Advising Center

The staff of The Advising Center often ask students for information to help them in their academic decision making process. Too often it may seem like we want a lot of information about you. In order to reciprocate, we've included brief bios on ourselves to let you know us a little better.

Tom Smith

Tom Smith, Director

Dr. Smith is an Associate Professor of English, who from Summer 2006 through early 2008, was Division Head for Arts and Humanities at Abington. His area of research interest is autobiography; he edits Lifewriting Annual, a scholarly periodical devoted to biography, autobiography, memoir, journals, diaries, and letters.

As an Abington faculty member, he has advised English majors and Administration of Justice majors heading to University Park. As a Division Head he was the lead adviser for Letters, Arts and Sciences (LASAB) Major. As Director of the Advising Center, he advises Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and LASAB students. In his spare time, he tends his garden, where he grows vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. He is a committed composter as well.

	Stephen Brown, Adviser Steve began working as an Academic Adviser in 2007. Before then he worked as our technology trainer since 1998. Up to then, his previous experience includes working in film production, as an Apple computer configuration specialist, and in speciality sales of digital editing equipment. Steve graduated from Kutztown University with a BS in Telecommunications and a MSIS from Penn State.
	Alissa Carpenter, Adviser Alissa joined us as an Academic Adviser in 2007.She previously has worked at other institutions in Student Affairs, Academic Advising, and Graduate Admissions. Alissa graduated from Millersville University with a BS in Speech Communications and from University of Pittsburgh with a MEd in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education.
	Julia Otulak, Adviser Julia's background is of Polish and Ukrainian descent and speaks those languages fluently. As a photographer, she traveled through Europe 11 times and has ventured through 29 states. Formerly ranked the #1 tennis player at Abington, she received the Academic All-Conference Award, the All Tournament Team Award and a Varsity Letter Award in Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State University. Julia holds an Associate Degree in Photography from the Art institute of Philadelphia and a BA in Integrative Arts from Penn State.
	Lynda Provette, Adviser Lynda has regular contact with students and serves as their dedicated mentor and professional role model. She is a career planning resource and helps to identify student needs while referring them to the appropriate resources. Her advising strategy builds upon the referral of students to Career Services for further work with self-assessment, career research, and personalized educational enhancement.
	Lorraine Taylor, Staff Assistant Lorraine joined the Advising Center in November 2008 as our Staff Assistant. Before coming to the Center, she worked part-time evenings in the Scheduling Office. Lorraine has a BBA in Accounting from Temple University and has worked as a bookkeeper and cost accountant.