Advising & Careers | H&SS, Carnegie Mellon University

Meet the H&SS Academic Advisory Center Staff

The H&SS AAC advisors and departmental major advisors share a common goal of helping you be successful in your time here at Carnegie Mellon, and beyond. Don't hesitate to take advantage of our services. AAC advisors are the primary advising resource for all H&SS students. Once you've declared a major, we will continue to work with you on all H&SS requirements, policies, and deadlines. We encourage all students to meet both with us and their departmental major advisor on a regular basis.

When you enter H&SS, we assign you to one of our AAC advisors. Although it's best to make an appointment when you need to see your advisor, it's often possible to see him or her on a walk-in basis. You may use email for general questions, but we encourage you to meet one-on-one with your advisor on a regular basis.

Gloria Hill is assistant dean in H&SS and director of the Academic Advisory Center.
(412) 268-4474

  I have been at the University for quite a while, and it’s been great! I grew up in Pittsburgh, attended public school, and graduated from Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) with a BS in Secondary Education. I taught junior high students for three years. Upon completion of my Masters, I came to Carnegie Mellon as an advisor (1972-77), then became Director of the Carnegie Mellon Action Project (CMAP), (1984-2004). As the Assistant Vice Provost for Education, I served as liaison to the Carnegie Mellon campus in Qatar (2004-2008), and in October, 2008 I became Assistant Dean and Director of the Academic Advisory Center (AAC) in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS).
  The very best part of my 30 years at CMU has been touching the lives of the incredibly talented students enrolled here. To me, advising is an important key to success as students wind their way through the college experience, building on their strengths in order to achieve their personal and academic best. Being a part of that process has been my good fortune. The AAC has an important job to do, and with the expertise of its committed, “seasoned”, and caring advisors, we will do it well. You are welcomed to stop by to say “hello”. I look forward to getting to know you.
  When I am not working, I enjoy tennis, working out/strength training, quilting, and my grandson.

Debby Gerhardt is the assistant director of the Academic Advisory Center. She advises undeclared students and all students who transfer to H&SS from outside of Carnegie Mellon.
(412) 268-1076

While at Rutgers University, I spent my undergraduate years studying urban elementary education. For three years I taught 'inner city' high school and adult students before moving to Pittsburgh. I have been working in the AAC since 1982. Currently, I am working on my M.Ed. in Adult Education at Penn State University. 'Life-long learning' is an interest and commitment in education that I have been developing.

Barbara (B.J.) Robbins is an academic advisor.
(412) 268-1080

I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, although I love the change of seasons I’m not a fan of the below freezing weather! I received my B.S. in Exercise Science at Slippery Rock University and enjoyed being a student worker in the Academic Advising Office so much I decided to stay and get my Masters in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Slippery Rock. Throughout my Master’s program I focused on advising and thoroughly enjoyed working with first year and undeclared students. Being a positive reinforcement for students transitioning to college, being a part of students’ support network through college, and aiding them in finding the right major, graduate school, and/or job upon graduation has always been very fulfilling for me. You will often see me on campus in the evenings and weekends engaging with students and being a member of the campus community. I grew up watching Penn State Nittany Lion football and love going to games. I also enjoy spending time at home with my cats, scrapbooking, skiing, and traveling!

Gary DiLisio is an academic advisor.
(412) 268-1079

I grew up in Boardman, Ohio, which is a suburb of Youngstown. I received my Bachelors degree in Middle School Education from Youngstown State University in 2007 with an emphasis on Language Arts and Social Studies. I am currently in the process of completing my Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Youngstown State. I just recently got engaged and plan on getting married in June, 2010. In my spare time, I love spending as much time as I can with my family and friends. I am also a diehard Steelers fan so hopefully that will not upset too many of the students who utilize our services.

I had a lot of great experiences as an undergrad when it came down to utilizing my own personal academic advisor. I am now trying to have that same kind of an impact on the students at Carnegie Mellon. My door is always open so hopefully students will feel like they can stop by for anything at all even if it is just to say hello!