At the University of Georgia, academic advising is required of all students prior to registration, and faculty mentoring, especially of upper-division students, is strongly encouraged. In order to encourage, acknowledge, and reward excellence in academic advising, the Office of the Vice President for Instruction developed an Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award Program in 2000.
Each year, from 2000-01 through 2011-12, one award was given to a tenured/tenure-track faculty member and one award was given to a staff member or other non-tenure-track employee who served as an academic advisor. Beginning in 2012-13, an additional award was created for new advisors, or faculty or staff members who have been advising for less than three years. In 2018-19, two new awards were created: one to recognize an outstanding academic advising administrator, as well as an award to recognize excellence in advising special populations. Each winner receives an award plaque and is recognized at the Academic Advisor Summer Celebration. In addition, the winners of the New Advisor award, Professional Advisor award, and Academic Advising Administrator award receive a cash award and are nominated for the equivalent national award given by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).
Nominations
Nominations come from dean’s offices and the Exploratory Center, et. (i.e., academic units in which undergraduate students receive their official academic advising/mentoring).
Nomination Packet Information
In January 2020, Dr. Mike Merva (Franklin College) and Dr. Julia Butler-Mayes (OVPI) hosted a workshop to assist nominees and nominators as they constructed their Outstanding Academic Advisor Award nomination packets. The presentation from this workshop is available to view below. This resource clarifies common questions about the selection process, and provides guidance for creating an organized and compelling submission.
We suggest reviewing this information before you create your nomination packet and referring back to it as questions arise.
UGA Advisor Award Workshop Presentation
Please note that Advising Award winners will need to have a photo taken and/or submit a recent headshot.
Past Winners:
2023-24
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Emily Robinson, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Matt Jordan, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Ryan Smith, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2022-23
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Shialoh Wilson, Exploratory Center
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Yadira Castillo, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Kestrina Shrestha, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding Advising Administrator: Jennifer Eberhart, Exploratory Center
2021-22
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Katherine Field, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Whitney Jones, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Molly Stanley, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding Advising Administrator: Paul Welch, School of Public and International Affairs
2020-21
Outstanding Advising Administrator: Jennifer Patrick, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Joseph McCall, Exploratory Center
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Elizabeth Fuller, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Julian Williams, Mary Frances Early College of Education
2019-20
Outstanding Advising Administrator: Matt Head, Warnell School of Forestry
Outstanding New Advisor: Edie Parsons, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Amanda Spohn, Pre-Professional Advising Office
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Will Lewis, Exploratory Center
2018-19
Outstanding Advising Administrator: Dr. Mike Merva, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Ali Gerlach, Exploratory Center
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Umesh Patel, College of Education
Excellence in Advising Special Populations: Antonina Ignatiuc
2017-18
Professional advisor: Samantha Pattillo, College of Education
New advisor: Lindsay Dickerson, College of Education
2016-17
Professional advisor: Cindy Schulman, Exploratory Center
New advisor: Jessica Daniels, Terry College of Business
2015-16
Professional advisor: Matthew Head, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
New advisor: Anna Williams, College of Education
2014-15
Faculty advisor: Dr. Robert Beckstead, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Outstanding New Advisor: Michelle McFalls, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Outstanding Professional Advisor: Diana Beckett, Terry College of Business
2013-14
Faculty advisor: Dr. Frank Flanders, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Kathy Cohen, Terry College of Business
New advisor: Rose Tahash, College of Environment and Design
2012-13
Faculty advisor: Dr. Terence Centner, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Wanda Wilcox, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
New advisor: Annemarie Hitchcock, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2011-12
Faculty advisor: Dr. Anne Marie Zimeri, College of Public Health
Staff advisor: Misha Boyd, Odum School of Ecology
2010-11
Faculty advisor: Emily Blalock, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Staff advisor: Dianne Graham, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2009-10
Faculty advisor: Dr. Brian Fairchild, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Clayton Foggin, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2008-09
Faculty advisor: Dr. Wendy Dustman, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Staff advisor: Rebecca Baggett, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2007-08
Faculty advisor: Dr. Mark Compton, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Patti Hoyt, Terry College of Business
2006-07
Faculty advisor: Dr. Timothy Hoover, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Staff advisor: Dr. Katie Darby Hein, College of Public Health
2005-06
Faculty advisor: Dr. Sidney Thompson, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Freida Thornton, College of Education
2004-05
Faculty advisor: Dr. Karl Espelie, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Sharon Fletcher, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
2003-04
Faculty advisor: Dr. Robert Shewfelt, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Kathy Wilson, Terry College of Business
2002-03
Faculty advisor: Dr. Adam Davis, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Dr. Leigh Holland, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2001-02
Faculty advisor: Dr. Karen Leonas, College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Staff advisor: Sarah Ford, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
2000-01
Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Alice Smith, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Staff advisor: Dr. Diane Hodson, College of Family and Consumer Sciences