2025 Award Winners
University Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising
Melissa Cumbia
College of Natural Resources and Environment
"As an advisor, I strive to provide students with information so they can make knowledgeable decisions about their personal higher education journey. Advising should be a highly supportive and moderately challenging experience. I aim to be a helpful resource, committed partner, and advocate for my students as they pursue their individual educational and professional goals.”
Outstanding New Advisor Award
Michelle Flinchum
College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
"Not many people are fortunate enough to love the work they do; I consider myself lucky in my position as an academic advisor to have a small role in the lives of tomorrow’s changemakers. I find immense fulfillment in fostering a sense of belonging among my students while guiding and celebrating them on their journey towards academic achievement and self-discovery."
University Award for Excellence in Graduate Academic Advising
Daniel Hoek
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
"In my advising, a key part of this is to teach students the ‘hidden syllabus’: the network of specific conventions and shibboleths that academics in philosophy are expected to know but which students from these groups are often unfamiliar with."
Outstanding Administrator Award
Karen Watson
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
"Academic advising is a shared relationship between the student, advisor, faculty, staff, and administrators, all of whom have distinct responsibilities. Academic advising is more than a process by which a student selects classes to enroll in each semester. It is a decision-making process for the student where they choose many aspects of their academic careers."
Award for Excellence in Career Advising
Priscilla Baker
College of Engineering
"At the end of the day, my job is all about relationships. It’s about the relationships I have built within my department and across campus with other advisors and resource offices to further aid my students. Most importantly, it’s about the relationship I establish with each individual student. I am wholly invested in their academic success, their future career endeavors, their overall happiness and well-being, and I think they genuinely know that."