Excellence in Advising Award
Tennessee Tech University recognizes and values the importance of academic advising to the central mission of the University and its promotion of and commitment to student success. The University would like to recognize those academic advisors who provide exceptional performance and innovation in the advisement of their students.
About the Award
Up to two (2) awards will be given annually to the faculty and/or professional advisor(s) that promote student learning, performance, achievement, progress and success, expanded opportunities, support engagement, growth and discovery, and wellness and connectedness. Recipient(s) will receive a $750 (less applicable taxes) award, plaque, and recognition during the President’s "Celebration of Excellence".
Nominations will be accepted until March 12, 2025.
Eligibility for Nomination
- Any individual currently employed by Tennessee Tech University at least half-time (50%) in a position where undergraduate academic advising is the primary role (as designated by job description) or the administration of an academic advising program may be nominated OR any full-time faculty member who has a secondary responsibility to advise undergraduate students.
- All nominees must have completed one year as an undergraduate academic advisor at Tennessee Tech University.
- Previous Excellence in Advising winners are not eligible for a 3-year period from date of award.
- Members of the selection committee are excluded from being nominees.
- » Criteria
The selection committee will evaluate nominations on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic advisor or faculty advisor.
Such evidence may include:
- Availability to advisees, faculty, and staff
- Caring, helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty, and staff
- Participation in and support of intrusive advising to build strong relationships with advisees
- Frequency of contact with advisees
- Appropriate referral activity
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to engage in, promote, and support developmental advising
- Use and dissemination of appropriate information sources
- Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
- Mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures
- Participation in and support of advisor development programs
- Embrace and utilize new advising technologies to promote student success and retention
- Evidence of administering academic advising which embraces NACADA’s core values - https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Pillars/CoreValues.aspx
- » Nomination Information
Nominations can come from anyone within the University community. For example, students may nominate an academic advisor that they have worked closely with; faculty may nominate a professional advisor who has helped; and department chairs may nominate faculty advisors.
Nominations must contain adequate factual or narrative material that describes the extent to which an individual meets the awards criteria.
- A completed nomination form.
- A summary of the nominee’s qualifications wherein the nominator should summarize the extent to which the nominee meets the award criteria, citing letter of support, data, or other materials illustrating exemplary performance as an academic advisor (3 page maximum).
Nomination Steps:
- A nomination (form linked below) must be submitted by a faculty, staff, or student of Tennessee Tech.
After Nomination received, the nominee will be requested to submit the following:
- Resume or CV
- A personal statement of advising
- Ensure they receive at least one nomination from a student
Additional information and instructions will be provided to the nominee within their nomination email.
EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING AWARD NOMINATION FORM - 2024
Nominations will be accepted until March 12, 2025.
Previous Winners
2024 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Danyelle Hawkins, Launchpad Student Success Center Winner - Dr. Peter Li, Earth Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences |
2023 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Ashlee Kiser, College of Interdisciplinary Studies Student Success Center Winner - Ms. Amanda Miller, College of Engineering Student Success Center |
Honorable Mention - Robin Eberle, College of Engineering Student Success Center |
2022 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Dr. Hannah Upole, School of Human Ecology Winner - Ms. Mary Daniels, College of Engineering Student Success Center |
2021 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Whitney Foust, College of Arts & Sciences Student Success Center Winner - Ms. Brandi Lovin, College of Business Student Success Center |
2020 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Dr. Amanda Carroll, Chemistry Winner - Ms. Laura Nisbet, Engineering Student Success Center |
2019 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Jennifer Dyer, Arts & Sciences Student Success Center Winner - Ms. Kelsey Hulgan, Education Student Success Center |
2017 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Dr. Pedro Arce, Chemical Engineering Winner - Mr. Chuck Craig, Education Student Success Center |
Honorable Mention - Dr. Brad Cook, Biology Honorable Mention - Ms. Elizabeth Hutchins, Engineering Student Success Center |
2016 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Whitney Foust, Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Winner - Dr. Bruce Greene, Agriculture |
Honorable Mention - Dr. Tammy Boles, Environmental Studies Honorable Mention - Ms. Tammy Keylon, Interdisciplinary Studies Student Success Center |
2015 Excellence in Advising |
Winner - Ms. Deborah Allen, Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Winner - Dr. Robby Sanders, Engineering |
Honorable Mention - Ms. Angela Clark, Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Honorable Mention - Dr. Steven Seiler |