Auburn University academic advisors honored at the 2015-2016 Provost Advising Awards Ceremony

Auburn University advisors were recognized for their outstanding work at the fourth annual Provost Advising Awards Ceremony on Feb. 11.

The awards were given to nominees that exemplify qualities such as interpersonal and human relations skills, professional practices, documented success and documented advisor development. The awards were presented by the faculty member that nominated the advisor.

"The Provost Advising Awards Ceremony provides an opportunity for the university to say thank you not just to the award recipients, but to all academic advisors on campus who work so diligently to provide for students as they work to achieve their academic goals," said Constance Relihan, associate provost for undergraduate studies, who presented the awards with Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Timothy Boosinger. "The academic advisors on our campus do an excellent job."

Meredith Jones, academic advisor in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, received the Outstanding New Advisor Award. The award honors an advisor that has been advising for less than three years by the nomination deadline, and more than 50 percent of their duties are academic advising. Until May 2015, she advised approximately 775 students but her greatest strength, one-on-one advising with students, was exemplified during that time.

"Meredith is not only involved with her advising responsibilities within her college, but also works with students outside the office," said Kim Parker, academic advisor. "She serves as the advisor for the Peer Advisors and currently teaches the pre-health learning community course."

Robin Martin, academic advisor in the College of Education, received the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award. The award is given to an advisor with three or more years of advising experience with more than 50 percent of their duties are academic advising. The results of Martin’s advisor surveys for 2014-2015 were exemplary with a range of 4.66 and 4.86 on a five-point scale for all items, such as "advisor was available when needed" and "advisement experiences have prepared students for future career or school pathways."

"Her advising philosophy emphasizes the importance of equipping students with the tools and strategies to function independently, to advocate for themselves and to show initiative and accept responsibility for their own successes and failures," said Susan Villaume, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Education.

Holly Ellis, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, which is awarded to an advisor that has less than 50 percent of their duties as academic advising. She was not only recognized for her advising and teaching skills but for contributing to the awards that several of her undergraduate researchers have received.

"She has intertwined all the scholarly elements of her job into being a wonderful mentor, advisor, researcher and friend to her colleagues and her students," said Kathryn West, faculty coordinator in laboratory sciences.

Paul Patterson, associate dean and professor in the College of Agriculture, received the Outstanding Advising Administrator Award. As the associate dean for instruction, Patterson is a comprehensive resource for undergraduate instruction and student advising needs. Through this position he focuses on offering the best advising for students.

"It is very rare to hear of an administrator who willingly maintains an open door policy and dedicates time to meet with students individually," said Lauren Cline, student services coordinator III in the College of Agriculture. "He still maintains an undergraduate advising load that he meets with each semester, which speaks volumes for his sincere interest and passion for student academic success."