The Academic Advisor Awards celebrate excellence in academic advising at East Tennessee State University, reflecting deep appreciation for the professionals and partners whose daily work help students achieve their academic and personal goals. Each year, these awards recognize individuals and campus partners who make exceptional contributions to student retention, progression, and success through dedicated advisement and support.
Nominations
Nominations are accepted each spring from across the ETSU community - including faculty, staff, students, and campus partners. Award recipients are selected based on their excellence in advising, leadership, and commitment to student success. Established in 2021, the awards honor three recipients annually - each receiving a $500 prize and commemorative plaque presented during the Academic Advisor Awards Ceremony, held each May in the D.P. Culp Student Center.
View the Nomination Rubric and Guidelines for further submission details. See award descriptions below with links to nomination forms for each award:
Award Descriptions
Outstanding New Professional Academic Advisor Award
Eligibility: For individuals who have been employed as an academic advisor for undergraduate students in any of the academic colleges or the University Advisement Center for fewer than three consecutive years by the submission deadline.
Criteria: This award recognizes academic advisors who:
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- Exemplify excellence in advising by demonstrating a strong foundation in advising practice, student support, and helping students become independent learners and self-reliant problem solvers
- Provide student-centered impact through building trust and connection with students; communicating accurate and timely information to students; impacting student success, retention, and engagement; and supporting diverse and/or at-risk student populations with empathy and effectiveness
- Demonstrate collaboration, campus engagement, and actions to help foster a positive advising culture within their department or college
- Display professional growth through pursuit of professional development or learning opportunities to enhance their advising skills and demonstrate emergining leadership potential
- Exhibit a caring attitude, empathy, inclusivity, and professionalism
Outstanding Professional Academic Advisor Award
Eligibility: For individuals who have been employed as an academic advisor for undergraduate students in any of the academic colleges or the University Advisment Center for at least three consecutive years by the submission deadline.
Criteria: This award recognizes academic advisors who:
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- Exemplify excellence in advising by helping students become independent learners and self-reliant problem-solvers and supporting diverse and/or at-risk student populations with empathy, inclusivity, and effectiveness
- Provide student-centered impact through innovative approaches which contribute to student sucess, development, retention, progression, and satisfaction
- Display leadership and innovation in advising initiatives, committess, or campus programs
- Demonstrate collaboration, campus engagement, and contributions to the broader culture of advising excellence and the advancement of student success
- Display professional growth and contributions to the scholarship of advising
Outstanding Academic Advisor Advocate Award
Eligibility: For individuals not employed as an academic advisor who support and enhance the profession of academic advising, leading to improved advising practices, services to students, and student success.
Criteria: This award recognizes an advocate to the advising community who:
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- Actively advocate and support the work of academic advisors and contribute to enhanced advising on campus
- Collaborate with advising staff and other campus partners and demonstrate an understanding of sutdent and advisor needs
- Engage in actions which lead to improved advising practice and student outcomes
- Display leadership and engagement with the advising community or campus governance to advance advising excellence
- Demonstrate a caring and service-oriented approach to their work and use their understanding of university policies and processes to help students and advisors succeed
Previous Award Winners
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2025 Awards
Outstanding New Professional Advisor
- Veronica Roberson, College of Public Health
Outstanding Professional Advisor
- Cody Morelock, College of Arts & Sciences
Advisor Advocate
- Dr. Megan Krupa, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
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2024 Awards
Outstanding New Professional Advisor
- Jennie Scott, College of Health Sciences
- Marc Tucker, University Advisement Center
Outstanding Professional Advisor
- Jennifer Douglas, College of Business and Technology
Advisor Advocate
- Levi Smith, Office of Admissions
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2023 Awards
Outstanding New Professional Advisor
- Ashley Beverly, College of Business and Technology
Outstanding Professional Advisor
- Elizabeth Thomas-Joseph, College of Arts & Sciences
Advisor Advocate
- Cynthia Edwards, Office of the Registrar
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2022 Awards
Outstanding New Professional Advisor
- Emily Daugherty, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Sciences
Outstanding Professional Advisor
- Jillian Alexander, University Advisement Center
Advisor Advocate
- Suzy Hooven, Office of the Executive Director of Academic Advisement