Debra Tervala and Academic Affairs

Posted by Jen Hanson in admin

Debra Tervala is the interim provost of SFUAD, otherwise known as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Tervala works behind the scenes to make sure all faculty are able to do what they need to do and to provide the programs students need. A few of her other duties include overseeing the registrar office, the academic advisement team, career services and the library services. Tervala has a master’s degree in Educational Policy, Planning and Curriculum, and Administration, as well as a J.D. (a Doctor of Law degree).

Tervala attributes much of her success in her position to her legal background, “because you really are trained in law school to see both sides of a picture, and to appreciate that there are at least 12 parts to every picture,” she says. Her impressive background has aided SFUAD in many improvements.

Another part of her job is mediation—she is a certified mediator in Maryland. “There is a lot of mediation that takes place, whether it’s between the public and the school or the faculty and students. Really any area in the campus environment. It’s a matter of trying to stay objective. I think folks agree that I stay pretty calm in these situations,” she says.

All things that happen with faculty and courses happen in Tervala’s office, and there’s a lot of work that goes into it.

One project Tervala and her team are proud of is the program sequence guideline. This guide is in the new catalog and on the school website, and allows students to view their tracks in a way that’s clearer and easier. Additionally, Tervala headed the scheduling matrix, which allows for students to look up classes and times in, again, a clearer and easier way. Tervala noted that Mary Angell, the registrar, played a large part in the scheduling matrix success.

Many students have been pleasantly surprised to find that SFUAD is, for it’s first time ever, offering summer classes. They’re split into two separate 7-week sessions and there are more than a few interesting classes available. Classes range from film, music, and acting, to English and social science courses. The list of courses can be found here. 

Photo by Jason Stilgebouer.

The Diversity Initiative, headed by Liberal Arts Chair Corine Franklin, supported and approved by Tervala, has also hit the ground running. What the DI strives for is redefining diversity. “It isn’t just about creating a statement; it’s vetting the question of diversity through the college community and owning what’s created. We have to acknowledge different forms of diversity,” Tervala says.

The DI has many projects in the works, which will be culminating at the end of the semester, including a concert on May 7 with visiting artist Kate Reid, as well as solidifying the campus-wide mission statement. Also recently, trans issues and concerns have bubbled up to the surface in a strong way. Tervala jumped into action and has supported faculty training via a Trans 101 workshop on Jan. 11 by Jess Clark from the local organization, Solace. In this presentation, Clark introduced micro-aggressions, techniques, and ideas about receptivity. Overall, the training was a success and will be continued for staff and faculty every year before a semester begins.

Tervala has also already started looking into next year’s theme. She and her staff are interested in the idea of a civility campaign.

“An educated person is one with critical thinking and who understands fact versus fiction,” she says.

Problem-solving with civility and mediation are life-long learning skills that Tervala is already working toward for the benefit of SFUAD’s students and the on-campus environment. Every semester brings new puzzles that Tervala and her team are eager to tackle in support of all SFUAD administration, staff, faculty, and of course, students.