Advising Award Criteria

2024-2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor Awards

Purpose: 

To recognize excellence in undergraduate academic advising at the University of Georgia.

Overview:

One award will be given to an experienced professional advisor, one to a new advisor, and one to an advising administrator. One or more advisors who demonstrate excellence in advising special populations will also be recognized.

Definitions and Eligibility:

1. Outstanding Professional Advisor*: Individuals whose primary role at UGA is the direct delivery of academic advising services to students and have been advising for three or more years.
2. Outstanding New Advisor*: Individuals whose primary role at UGA is the direct delivery of academic advising services to students and have been advising for fewer than three years.
3. Outstanding Advising Administrator*: Individuals whose primary responsibility is as an administrator or director of an academic advising program. Nominees must have a minimum of three years in an advising leadership role.
4. Excellence in Advising Special Populations**: Individuals who provide direct academic advising to students, and have developed expertise in providing tailored support for a specific student population. Examples include, but are not limited to: transfer students, first-generation college students, international students, student athletes, etc. Nominees must have at least one year of advising experience.

NOTE: Competitive nominations in this category should demonstrate that the nominee’s caseload includes a substantial percentage (recommended 20% or higher) of students within this special population and that the nominee goes above and beyond position expectations to serve this population, regardless of whether special populations work is formally connected to their position.

How to Nominate:

1. Submit a nomination form.
2. Include a cover letter of support from the advisor’s supervisor and/or unit head (Limit 2 pages).
3. Provide a Curriculum Vita or Resume with the nominee’s current job description or list of job responsibilities related to academic advising (Limit 2 pages).
4. Provide a copy of the nominee’s Advising and/or Advising Leadership Philosophy, as appropriate (Limit 2 pages).
5. Include current, dated comments of support from colleagues (Limit 4 pages).
6. Include current, dated comments of support from current and/or former students. Comments may include a digest of remarks from student surveys, letters, emails, etc. (Required for Professional, New, and Special Populations nominations; optional for Administrator. Limit 6 pages.

Criteria:

• Demonstrates mastery of the advising process.
• Provides accessibility, innovation, and leadership in advising/mentoring.
• Demonstrates mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Builds strong relationships with student advisees and colleagues.
• Engages in caring, student-centered advising rather than simple course selection.
• Impacts advisees beyond graduation. (Professional Advisors, New Advisors as relevant)
• Contributes to campus-wide excellence in advising.
• Demonstrates dedication to professional development initiatives.

Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Submit each nomination electronically as a single PDF to: [email protected]

Please limit each nomination to 16 pages (See above for section page limits).

*Winners will receive a stipend and plaque, be recognized by the Office of Instruction, and be nominated for the equivalent award given by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)

**Winners will receive a stipend and plaque, and be recognized by the Office of Instruction

Nomination Form:

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor Awards Nomination Form