MSU Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards

This award recognizes a new undergraduate academic or faculty advisor who has demonstrated exceptional promise, dedication, and impact in their early career (less than 5 years). This award celebrates an advisor who is making significant contributions to student success, exemplifies strong advising practices, and shows great potential for future leadership and growth in the field of academic advising.

The Rising Star in Advising Award will be presented to an undergraduate advisor who has shown exceptional promise, dedication, and effectiveness in supporting students, contributing to the advising community, and demonstrating the qualities of a strong and impactful academic advisor. The award recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized during the Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards ceremony in the spring.

1. Options for candidate criteria:
   • Consistently prioritizes students’ academic, personal, and professional development, providing personalized guidance that helps students achieve their goals.
   • Actively identifies students who may need additional support and takes timely action to ensure they receive appropriate guidance and resources.
   • Demonstrates creativity in their approach to advising, using new tools, strategies, or technologies to enhance the advising experience and meet students’ diverse needs.
   • Actively participates in team meetings, professional development, and advising-related initiatives, contributing to the growth and improvement of the advising office or department.
   • Demonstrates a clear passion for helping students succeed, going above and beyond in their role to support student development, both in and out of the classroom.
   • Actively works to address barriers faced by underrepresented or marginalized students, ensuring equitable access to academic support and resources for all students.
2. Examples
   • An advisor who engages in proactive student support and retentions strategies, e.g. a first-year student success program
   • An advisor creative use of technology to enhance advising efficiency
   • An advisor who demonstrates their commitment to inclusivity and cultural competence who recognizes student challenges
   • An advisor who works to build collaborative relationships across campus (e.g. faculty, career services, or student organizations) to create a more holistic advising network
   • An advisor who demonstrates strong advocacy for student needs
   • An advisor who prioritizes professional development and demonstrates commitment to growth and learning

This award recognizes exceptional undergraduate academic or faculty advisors who have demonstrated a long-term commitment (5 years or more) to supporting students, mentees, or professionals, guiding them through significant milestones in their development. The Sustained Excellence in Advising Award recognizes undergraduate advisors who have shown extraordinary dedication to guiding students toward their milestones and successes. Whether through personal mentorship, innovative advising practices, or sustained support over time, recipients of this award demonstrate the profound, lasting impact that skilled and compassionate advisors can have on students. The award recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized during the Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards ceremony in the spring.

1. Options for candidate criteria:
   • Demonstrates a long-standing commitment to advising and supporting students or professionals, typically with a minimum number of years (e.g., 5, 10, or more) of consistent service.
   • Has played a significant role in helping students, colleagues, employees, or mentees achieve key academic, personal, or professional milestones, such as graduation, securing employment, completing major projects, or advancing academically or in their careers.
   • Provides tailored, individualized support based on the unique needs and aspirations of each student, colleague, employee, or mentee.
   • Offers informed, thoughtful, and insightful guidance, rooted in deep knowledge of academic requirements, career paths, and professional development strategies.
   • Leads initiatives or contributes to the advancement of advising practices, such as developing new programs.
2. Examples
   • An advisor who has served for a decade, continually providing guidance to multiple cohorts of students.
   • An advisor who has helped a series of individuals reach significant professional or academic milestones over an extended period.
   • An advisor who has helped numerous students navigate complex academic challenges, resulting in higher graduation rates or successful career transitions.
   • An advisor who tailors their guidance to the specific needs of each student, adjusting strategies for students with diverse goals and challenges.

   • An advisor who has led initiatives or committees that improved advising practices, enhanced student success outcomes, or strengthened communication and teamwork across departments.

This award recognizes undergraduate academic or faculty advising leaders who have made outstanding contributions to creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive advising community. This award honors those who foster a sense of belonging, connection, and shared purpose among advisors, faculty, staff, and students. It celebrates leaders who demonstrate leadership in building networks, sharing resources, and promoting a culture of engagement that strengthens the advising community and enhances the advising experience for all involved. The Excellence in Community Building Award honors those who go above and beyond in cultivating a sense of community, collaboration, and shared purpose within the advising profession. Recipients of this award are recognized for their commitment to strengthening the advising community, fostering inclusive environments, and creating lasting connections that ultimately enhance the advising experience for all students and professionals involved. The award recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized during the Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards ceremony in the spring.

1. Options for candidate criteria:
   • Actively encourages collaboration among advisors, faculty, staff, and other key stakeholders to enhance student success and create a holistic advising experience.
   • Demonstrates leadership that motivates and empowers others to take action, overcome challenges, and reach their own success.
   • Actively supports others in their professional or personal development, helping them create their own pathways to success.
   • Effectively drives change and progress, influencing peers, teams, or communities through integrity, vision, and action.
   • Serves as a role model for other advisors, sharing best practices and contributing to the professional development of others in the advising field.
   • Actively works to create an inclusive advising environment that respects and supports the diverse backgrounds, identities, and needs of all students or mentees.
2. Examples
   • A leader who fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and empowerment, helping their team or organization navigate the path to success.
   • A leader who supports others, helping them build their own successful career paths.
   • An individual who actively promotes diversity and inclusion within the advising process, ensuring all students feel valued and supported.
   • An individual who establishes a regular newsletter, listserv, or communication platform for advisors to stay informed on updates, best practices, and student success initiatives.
   • A leader who organizes regular cross-departmental meetings or working groups where advisors, faculty, and staff share insights, resources, and strategies to support students.
   • A team leader who creates opportunities for new advisors to collaborate with seasoned professionals, fostering a mentorship culture within the advising community.

This award recognizes outstanding collaboration and mutual success by a team of undergraduate academic or faculty advisors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and results in a partnership. This award celebrates the power of effective teamwork and sustainable partnerships that lead to significant, positive impact in the advising community at MSU. The Collaborative Excellence in Advising Award is designed to honor partnerships that demonstrate meaningful, lasting impact and ethical collaboration. Successful nominations will provide clear evidence of how the partnership has gone above and beyond to create shared value and drive positive outcomes for all involved. The awarded group will receive a lunch valued up to $500 and will be recognized during the Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards ceremony in the spring.

1. Options for candidate criteria:
   • Demonstrates a clear and effective partnership strategy that aligns both parties’ goals, resources, and efforts.
   • Successful nominations will provide clear evidence of how the partnership has gone above and beyond to create shared value and drive positive outcomes for all involved.
   • Demonstrates an ability to work together to overcome challenges, leveraging each partner’s strengths for creative and effective solutions.
   • The partnership has led to the successful achievement of measurable outcomes that benefit both parties and/or the broader community or industry.
   • Introduction of innovative ideas, processes, or products through the collaboration that significantly advance the goals of both parties.
   • Partnership must have been in place at least 6 months
   • Both parties demonstrate a high level of trust, integrity, and respect in their dealings, building a foundation for long-term cooperation.
2. Examples:
   • A partnership that has bridged cultural or organizational differences to achieve shared success.
   • Partnerships that have navigated challenging situations with fairness and mutual respect.
   • Senior leadership teams from both organizations champion the partnership and its goals, setting a clear direction and inspiring action.
   • The partnership aligns with the larger strategic vision of both parties, ensuring consistency and purpose in all activities.

Rising Star in Advising: Heather Wilson, College of Natural Science
Recognizing a new academic advisor who has demonstrated exceptional promise, dedication, and impact in their early career (less than 5 years).

Sustained Excellence in Advising: Lindsay Snyder, James Madison College
Recognizing exceptional an academic advisor who has demonstrated a long-term commitment (5 years or more) to supporting students, mentees, or professionals, guiding them through significant milestones in their development.

Excellence in Community Building: Krystal Owens, College of Nursing, and Erica Weeks, College of Engineering
Recognizing individual leaders who have made outstanding contributions to creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive advising community.

Collaborative Excellence (Team Award): The Institute of Agricultural Technology Program Coordinators - Matthew Bernia, Jeno Rivera, Justin Kunkle, Constance Schwass, Angela King, Brian Gardner, Lance Fowler, Katelyn Kelley, Thomas Green, Kristen Brown, Cristin Hosmer, and Tyler Sisson 
Recognizing outstanding collaboration and mutual success between teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and results in a partnership.