New resource for students – Virtual Advising Help Centre now open!
The UM’s new Virtual Advising Help Centre (VAHC) is now open (as of March 15), and ready to answer students’ pressing questions. The VAHC is staffed by Student Services Navigators – staff members ready to answer questions or help students find them, seven days a week.
We chatted with Victoria Deakin, third year student Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, and new Student Services Navigator at the VAHC.
UM Today: What is the VAHC?
Victoria: The Virtual Advising Help Centre is made up of a team of friendly, knowledgeable people who are committed to responding to any student question while providing additional relevant information and support. In doing so, we aim for personal, professional service that will provide answers and next steps for success. We are the contact point for general enquiries regarding academics.
UM Today: Tell me about your role as a Student Services Navigator at the VAHC?
Victoria: We Student Navigators are a team of peer advisors answering questions related to the University of Manitoba, specifically including questions related to academic progress. We are here to support students in using Aurora, UM Achieve and other tools to map out their academic plans. Our goal is to be a friendly, empowering support system for students at any part of their academic journey. We will be answering students’ questions through chats, phone calls and emails.
UM Today: How do you anticipate the VAHC will help students?
Victoria: I feel that the VAHC will provide a friendly service for students unsure of where to search to obtain answers for their questions. We hope to emphasize human connection and personalized quality service. We will equip students with answers and supplemental knowledge relevant to their questions, tips on writing focussed professional emails and information for other relevant support systems.
UM Today: Can you think of a time in the past that you would have used the VAHC? What did you do instead?
Victoria: I would have used the VAHC when I was told I needed a proof of enrollment and was not sure how to obtain that document. I went to the Registrar’s Office and waited in line. When it was my turn to be seen, I was told that I had to use Aurora to order my proof of enrollment. The staff member at the Registrar’s Office was very helpful, but it would have been ideal to call the Virtual Advising Help Centre and have my question answered beforehand so that I could have obtained this document more efficiently.
UM Today: How can people contact the VAHC?
Victoria: People can contact the VAHC through live chat, phone or email. We are committed to providing rapid responses to all three communication methods. We are open in the daytime, evenings and weekends so that students can contact us whenever is most convenient.
The Virtual Advising Help Centre is open now!
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 9:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am to 5:00pm
204-474-8242