Auburn advisors receive national awards from National Academic Advising Association

Savannah Woodall, advisor in Auburn’s Honors College, and Janet Moore, assistant dean and director of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering program Engineered for Success, were recently recognized by the National Academic Advising Association, or NACADA, Global Community for Academic Advising for excellence in their efforts to advance student development and achievement.

Woodall was awarded the Outstanding New Advisor Award in a Primary Advising Role for her work to advance numerous programs and initiatives within the college, including a Canvas course geared toward new students and a revamped peer instructor program. The recipient of the 2023 Provost’s Outstanding New Advisor Award, Woodall has been an advisor in the Honors College since 2020. Over the past year, Woodall has been an active member of Auburn’s Advisors Caucus and served on the university’s scholarship, diversity, equity and inclusion, retention and success and assessment committees. In addition to her membership in the NACADA mentorship program, Woodall was awarded the organization’s annual conference scholarship in 2021. 

Engineered for Success was recognized with the NACADA Outstanding Advising Program Award for its emphasis on providing transformational advising practices. The developmental advising model integrates psychosocial theories of academic self-efficacy, goal achievement and agency in learning by using a referral system designed to proactively address engineering students' critical progression and GPA issues. Under Moore’s leadership, the Engineering Student Services team integrates motivational interviewing techniques as part of their academic success meetings with students.

“This level of recognition by NACADA symbolizes the extraordinary impact our advisors have on our students and our broader advising community,” said Ruthie Spiers, director of university advising. “Not only do they acknowledge the remarkable efforts of our advisors, but they also showcase our institution’s efforts to advance best practices and drive innovation across the various stages of student development.”

With more than 100 academic, faculty and professional advisors across campus, Auburn’s advising community works collaboratively to provide a robust network of resources, including individualized support, technical support and professional guidance to help students achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. Working together, the colleges and central academic units support students in understanding the degree process, developing career pathways and navigating academic policies and procedures with the evolution of students’ advising needs.

Established in 1983, the NACADA Global Awards Program for Academic Advising honors individuals and institutions significantly impacting academic advising. NACADA is a representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education.

Woodall and Moore will be formally honored at a banquet at NACADA’s annual conference in October.