Mary Leavitt Receives National Advising Award

Mary Leavitt Receives National Advising Award

Mary Leavitt, director of Utah State University's Science/HASS Advising Center in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, is the recipient of the Gail Rola Memorial Award, presented by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Leavitt also received an Outstanding Advising Award in the Academic Advising Administrator category as part of the 2004 NACADA national awards program.

The Gail Rola Memoral Award, of which Leavitt is the first recipient, was created by advising colleagues to honor and celebrate the life of Gail Rola, a former advising administrator, who led with passion and creativity.

"Recognizing both outstanding leadership and the ability to administer that leadership with heart and with care, this award is given to an eligible Outstanding Advising Award Winner in the Advising Administrator category," a NACADA news release stated.

Every year since 1983, NACADA, in cooperation with ACT, Inc., has honored individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising. The goal of NACADA is to promote quality academic advising and professional development of its membership to enhance the educational development of students.

NACADA's more than 7,200 members include faculty, professional advisors, administrators, counselors and others in academic and student affairs concerned with the intellectual, personal and vocational needs of students. In addition, NACADA serves as an advocate for academic advising.

Leavitt will be honored and presented the award in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the annual NACADA National Conference in October.