Advising‎ Excellence‎ & First‎ Year Student Advocate Awards

Nominee’s efforts and attributes that make them an advocate for first-year students 

• the persistence and ingenuity of the nominee 
• the nominee’s personal commitment to first-year students 
• the amount of time and energy exerted beyond the nominee’s ordinary job expectations 
• how the nominee has used theory and/or research on best practices to guide their efforts 

Impact of the nominee’s efforts on first-year students 

• providing resources and/or support to assist first-year students 
• successful transition of first year students to UNCG 
• feedback from students regarding the nominee’s efforts 
• the breadth and depth of the impact on first-year students 
• assessment efforts that show an actual impact on student outcomes, including academic and personal success 

Impact of the nominee’s efforts on the culture of the institutions, college, or unit 

• exhibiting a positive attitude that fosters a positive first-year experience
• promoting a welcoming campus environment 
• any tangible or demonstrable evidences of impact on campus culture 
• any departmental partnerships/collaborations that have occurred as a result of the nominee’s efforts 

The award is open to any full-time or part-time UNCG staff or faculty member with a minimum of two years of service at UNCG at the time of nomination. This award recognizes staff and faculty who provide programmatic, service-delivery, or curricular initiatives in support of first year students. (Academic advisors should be nominated for the Academic Advising Excellence Awards.) 

Nominations are solicited early during the spring term each academic year and can be submitted by supervisors or faculty/staff peers. The selection committee typically begins their review of all nominations in early March, and award recipients are announced by the end of the Spring term. 

Award Selection Committee Co-Chairs 

• Dana Saunders – Division of Student Success 
• Kim Sousa-Peoples – New Student Transitions and First Year Experience 

• 2024-2025: University Communications
• 2023-2024: Margarita Kerkado Undergraduate Admissions Senior Assistant Director for Latino / Hispanic Initiatives
• 2022-2023: Jessica McCall, Senior Lecturer, Communication Studies, CAS 
• 2021-2022: Jeffrey Kaplan, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Philosophy, CAS 
• 2020-2021: Chris Gregory, Assistant Director of Assessment & Operations, Housing & Residence Life 
• 2019-2020: Elliot Kimball, Assistant Director, Office of Intercultural Engagement 
• 2018-2019: Nancy Bucknall, Director, College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center 
• 2017-2018: Kim Sousa-Peoples, Senior Director, First Year Student Engagement & Experience 

• Proven ability to establish strong rapport and interpersonal relationships with advisees and advising colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to engage in, promote, and support development advising
• Exhibited commitment to guiding students in their academic and career paths
• Evidence of advising that supports and aligns with NACADA’s Core Values (Caring, Commitment, Empowerment, Inclusivity, Integrity, Professionalism, Respect)
• Mastery of institutional regulations, policies, procedures, and curricula
• Participation in and support of advisor development programs

All nominees must have a minimum of two years of service at the time of nomination with ongoing academic advising responsibilities at UNCG. Faculty award nominees must be teaching faculty in which academic advising accounts for less than 50% of their institutional responsibilities.

Nominations are solicited early during the spring term each academic year and can be submitted by supervisors or faculty/staff peers. The Advising Excellence Award selection committee typically begin their review of all nominations in early March, and award recipients are announced by the end of the Spring term.

Award Selection Committee Co-Chairs

• Dana Saunders – Division of Student Success
• Kim Sousa-Peoples – New Student Transitions and First Year Experience

• Anne Fletcher, 2025 Faculty Advisor Recipient, Human Development & Family Studies, HHS
• Julie Boyer, 2025 Professional Advisor Recipient, BRY
• Jennifer Etnier, 2024 Faculty Advisor Recipient, Kinesiology, HHS
• Britt Flanagan, 2024 Professional Advisor Recipient, School of Nursing
• Joyce Clapp, 2023 Faculty Advisor Recipient, CAS
• Amanda Everhart, 2023 Professional Advisor Recipient, BRY
• Robin Maxwell, 2022 Faculty Advisor Recipient, CAS
• Caitlin Saraphis, 2022 Professional Advisor Recipient, CAS
• Pam Ladrow – 2021 Faculty Advisor Recipient, Psychology, CAS
• Sidney Stretz – 2021 Professional Advisor Recipient, CVPA
• Christina Moreira – 2020 Faculty Recipient, Biology, CAS
• Jennifer Reich – 2020 Professional Advisor Recipient, CVPA
• Sarah Dunning – 2019 Faculty Recipient, Communication Studies, CAS
• Brian Strickland – 2019 Professional Advisor Recipient, School of Education
• Kathryn Aldridge – 2018 Faculty Recipient, Human Development & Family Studies, HHS
• Elena Medeiros – 2018 Professional Advisor Recipient, Students First Office