The College of Education and Social Services is excited to welcome Dr. Tracy Arámbula Ballysingh and Dr. Jason C. Garvey as Assistant Professors in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) graduate program at the University of Vermont. Tracy and Jay bring a wealth of knowledge as Student Affairs scholars and practitioners in the field.

Dr. Tracy Arámbula Ballysingh received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from The University of Texas at Austin, and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Boston College.  Her research and publications focus on first-generation college students, the first-year experience, educational outcomes for boys and men of color, Latinx rates of college completion, and the role of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in higher education.

“I fell in love with the people and places the moment I arrived in Vermont,” said Dr. Ballysingh, reflecting on what drew her to UVM and Burlington. “Personally, the family-centered philosophy and sense of welcoming drew me. Professionally, the deeply-rooted historical legacy of UVM HESA, the strong inter-connectedness between the program and our student affairs partners, and the opportunity to bridge my love of scholarship with my passion for teaching and mentoring a diverse cohort of students is my daily source of inspiration. It is a privilege and a responsibility knowing that the work of our UVM HESA students has and will have a lasting global impact on the lives of others for years to come.”

Prior to entering the field of Student Affairs, Dr. Ballysingh taught pre-k through middle school grades in Massachusetts, Utah, Texas, and Illinois. She served as a teaching assistant for doctoral students in Higher Education Law and Equity and Access in Higher Education courses, and taught discussion sections of first-year undergraduate seminar courses. Among her many roles, Dr. Ballysingh has also served as an academic advisor, mentor/instructor for first-year and first-generation college students, director of student success programs, and policy analyst for the chair of the Texas Senate’s Higher Education Committee. In her free time, she enjoys walking and biking with her children and dog, practicing Bikram Yoga, photography, and travel.

Dr. Jason C. Garvey received his Ph.D. in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Maryland with a certificate in Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation. His research and publications examine student affairs and college classroom contexts with a focus on assessing and quantifying student experiences across social identities, particularly in relation to people with marginalized sexual and gender identities.

“To work in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at the University of Vermont is truly a dream come true,” said Jay about his new appointment. “I feel so fortunate to have found a professional home that facilitates critical consciousness among students and person-centered relationships between colleagues.”

Prior to arriving at UVM, Jay was an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Faculty in Residence at The University of Alabama, where he taught graduate courses in student development theory, student affairs administration, college students and environments, counseling and helping skills, assessment and evaluation, and research methods. Prior to his faculty appointments, Jay worked in a variety of Student Affairs functional areas, including academic advising, LGBTQ student involvement and advocacy, undergraduate research, and student affairs assessment. In his free time, Jay loves spending time with his wonderful partner Andrew and their three dogs - Benji, Riley, and Suki.

Dr. Garvey and Dr. Ballysignh have both been selected by the The Vermont Connection Executive Board to serve as faculty co-advisors of the publication. The Vermont Connection (TVC) Student Affairs Journal is an anonymous, peer reviewed scholarly journal produced annually by the Higher Education Student Affairs Administration (HESA) graduate program at The University of Vermont. Current students comprise the Executive and Full Boards, inviting article submission from the entire HESA community in the early fall and publication in the winter. Journals are shared with our HESA alumni and friends. To learn more about TVC visit the journal website.