UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC ADVISING AWARDS

• Innovation in Advising Award: celebrates an advising professional who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, ingenuity, and forward-thinking in their approach to advising students. This award recognizes their ability to develop and implement innovative and sustainable strategies, programs, or initiatives that enhance the advising experience and contribute to student success.
• Community Partnership Award: recognizes an individual that has demonstrated exceptional collaboration, cooperation, and commitment to building strong partnerships outside of their unit. This award acknowledges the honoree's outstanding efforts to foster meaningful connections, work collectively, and create a positive impact for students and colleagues.
• Advising JEDI Champion Award: celebrates an advising professional that has demonstrated exemplary commitment to and leadership in promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the advising community and among the students they serve. This award recognizes their tireless efforts to create an inclusive advising environment, where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
• Staff Leadership and Mentorship Award (2): recognizes outstanding staff members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to mentor and support their colleagues. This award celebrates those who go above and beyond their regular duties, inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. One award will be presented to a College advising professional, and one award will be presented to a department/program advising professional. Nominees do not need to hold supervisory positions to be eligible.
• Keystone of Advising Award (2): honors exceptional advisors who consistently display excellent advising, acting as unsung heroes for students and the academic community. They truly love their advising role and have made a long-term commitment to advising (not administration). They are the steady cornerstone that supports their unit’s everyday advising. This award acknowledges their invaluable contributions and the significant impact they make on the lives of those they advise. Must have advised at UC San Diego for a minimum of 5 years (as of Feb. 2025) and be in a primarily student-facing (non-administrator) role to be eligible.  One award will be presented to a College advising professional, and one award will be presented to a department/program advising professional.

Eligibility: Eligible staff are professional advisors whose primary role at the institution is the direct delivery of academic advising services to undergraduate students, including:

• College advising staff (e.g. Student Services Advisors, Student Academic Advisors)
• Department/Program advising staff (e.g. Student Services Advisors, Student Academic Advisors, Curriculum Planners, student affairs/program coordinators, etc.)
• Must report through EVC (Academic Affairs)
  

Not eligible if they have received the same award within the past 3 years.

Must have passed their probationary period of employment. Must have earned at least “S” Satisfactory rating on the most recent performance appraisal.

Nominations can be submitted by anyone (colleagues, supervisors, self, students). The nomination form has a word limit. No other nomination materials will be solicited or accepted.

The nomination form asks 2-3 questions about specific criteria for that award (included below). The form also asks why the nominee is most deserving, and if there is additional information the nominator would like to share.  

Innovation in Advising Award:

• What new and inventive strategies, tools, or methods has the advising professional introduced that differ from conventional advising practices? (300 word limit)
• How has this professional's innovation contributed to the overall success and development of students?  (300 word limit)
• Tell us about the long-term potential for this nominee’s innovation. Does their strategy or program have the capacity to evolve, grow, or be sustained over time?  (300 word limit)

 Community Partnership Award:

• In what ways has this person collaborated and intentionally built partnerships outside their unit? (300 word limit)
• Explain this nominee's style of cooperation when working with campus partners. (300 word limit)
• How has their commitment to building partnerships created a positive impact on students and colleagues? (300 word limit)

 Advising JEDI Champion Award

• How has this person demonstrated a commitment to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the advising community and among students? Share examples of how you have seen their commitment. (300 word limit)
• How have they led others in advancing JEDI initiatives? Share examples of their leadership. (300 word limit)        
• Tell us about the supportive and empowering advising environments they have created for all students.  (300 word limit)

 Staff Leadership and Mentorship Award 

• How does this advisor demonstrate leadership? How have they fostered a positive work environment?  (300 word limit)
• Explain how you have seen this advisor's commitment to mentoring and supporting colleagues. Consider how they empower others, offer guidance and professional development, etc. (300 word limit)
• Based on your understanding of this advisor's official role, why do you believe their efforts to lead and mentor other staff go above and beyond? (300 word limit)

 Keystone of Advising Award

• How has this advisor shown a long-term commitment to advising? Share examples of their passion for academic advising and supporting students. (300 word limit)
• In what ways do they serve as the cornerstone that supports and stabilizes their unit? (300 word limit)

Congratulations to the 2024 Academic Advising Awardees!

• Advising JEDI Champion and Student Advocate Award Winner
  • Mónica Rodriquez de Cabaza  (Ethnic Studies)

• Innovation in Advising Award Winner
  • Amber Knight (CSE)

• Staff Leadership and Mentorship Award Winner
  • Laura Majoch (Biology)
  • Cathy Baez (Muir)

• Keystone of Advising Award Winner
  • Dina Rodgers (Public Health)
  • Gloria Aquino (ERC)

• Excellence in Advising Competencies Award Winner
  • Hannah McCurdy (Sixth)

• Community Partnership Award Winner
  • Ruby Victoria (Revelle)