Advisors and Program Win Awards

Good advising is one of the keys to student success at any institution of higher education. Helping students complete an education as efficiently as possible is the goal, and Utah State University has made a focused effort to support advising programs. Second-tier tuition money has been earmarked for advising, and staff training and innovative programs constantly evolve.

 

The efforts are paying off, or at least are gaining national recognition.

 

"Utah State University continues to lead the nation in the number of advisors who have received a national advising award," said John Mortensen, director of University Advising and Transfer Services.

 

Mortensen's pride is obvious, but his words are reinforced by an announcement from the National Academic Advising Association. That organization notified Mortensen and Utah State University President Stan Albrecht that Utah State is the recipient of five advising awards that will be presented at the organization's annual conference in October. Four individuals and one program will be honored.

 

Award recipients include Lyle McNeal, Darcie Peterson, Dennis Welker, Stephanie Hamblin and Utah State's Student Support Services office.

 

The National Academic Advising Association was chartered as a non-profit organization in 1979 to promote quality academic advising and professional development of its membership to ensure the educational development of students. Since its beginning, NACADA has grown to include nearly 8,000 members, including faculty, professional advisors, administrators, counselors and others in academic and student affairs who are concerned with the intellectual, personal and vocational needs of students.

 

Lyle G. McNeal is a professor in the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department at Utah State. He is an "Outstanding Advising Award" winner in the faculty academic advising category. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated qualities "associated with outstanding academic advising of students or outstanding academic advising administration." The category includes those whose primary responsibility is teaching and who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising services to students. McNeal is one of 10 faculty advisors honored in this category in nation-wide competition this year.

 

Studies have shown that when students make a connection with a faculty member or advisor, they are more likely to stick with the program and graduate. Utah State makes a concerted effort to facilitate this connection through advising, Mortensen said.

 

Darcie Peterson is an advisor and student teaching coordinator in the Special Education and Rehabilitation Department. She received the "Outstanding Advising Award" in the academic advising—primary role category. The category includes those individuals whose primary role at the institution is the direct delivery of advising services to students. Peterson in one of eight academic advisors honored with this award nation wide.

 

Students at Utah State are required to meet with an advisor before they register for classes at the beginning of their academic careers and again prior to graduation, Mortensen said. The advising provided between contributes to the students' successful degree completion.

 

"Students make their own choices and decisions ultimately," Mortensen said. "Advising can establish the most efficient path to follow."

 

Dennis L. Welker, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Biology, is the "Outstanding New Advisor Award" winner in the faculty academic advising category. The category includes individuals whose primary responsibility is teaching and who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising services to students. Welker is one of three faculty advisors honored with the award in this year's nation-wide competition.

 

Stephanie W. Hamblin is an academic advisor in the University Advising and Transfer Services office at Utah State. She received the "Outstanding New Advisor Certificate of Merit" award in the academic advising—primary role category. She is one of eight academic advisors nationally to receive this award.

 

Student Support Services, under the direction of Nazih Al-Rashid, is the recipient of the "Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Award."

 

"This quality advising program was selected as one of two programs to be honored with this award in nationwide competition this year," a NACADA press release said. "The Outstanding Advising Program Awards annually recognize programs that document innovative and/or exemplary practices resulting in improvement of academic advising service."

 

Utah State has been successful in the national advising field because it recognizes and rewards good advising at the institutional level, Mortensen said. For instance, university advisors are recognized every year at the annual Robin's Awards.

 

"We have an institutional attitude that supports excellence and that excellence is recognized every year on campus," Mortensen said. "Our university advisors, whether they are based in departments or in an advising center, are committed to the students. They develop professionally each year and keep up to date. They are a dedicated group and do a great job."