Excellence in Academic Advising

The Provost's Excellence in Academic Advising Award recognizes faculty and staff advisors who provide exemplary direct delivery of academic advising services to undergraduate students and have exhibited exceptional leadership in advancing academic advising at Miami.

Selection Process

Nominees for this award must be a current member of Miami's faculty, classified/unclassified staff, or administration. Nominees should have a significant record of direct delivery of academic advising services to undergraduates and have demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting high-quality academic advising at Miami University.

Criteria

Nominees should meet the following four criteria:

• High quality of information and advice: knowledge of graduation requirements including the university curriculum and special program requirements; knowledge of appropriate schedule development and course sequencing; assistance to students as they develop academic, personal and career goals; knowledge of institutional regulations, policies and procedures; ability to engage in developmentally appropriate goal-setting with students.
• Outstanding support of students: strong interpersonal skills; caring, helpful attitude towards students; willingness to act in the student's best interests; willingness to encourage development of student independence and critical thinking skills; incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in work with students; knowledge of campus resources and appropriate referral activity; demonstration of holistic advising principles.
• Accessibility to students: availability to advisees and frequency of contact; face-to-face and electronic communication; welcoming and responsive to students.
• Exceptional leadership in advising: creation of high-quality advisor development/training activities or resources; significant experience mentoring and training other advisors; and/or development of advising-related initiatives or improvements.

Nomination

All faculty and staff who have responsibilities for student academic advising are eligible for nomination. Consideration for this award requires two letters of nomination. Nomination letters should provide detailed evidence of effective advising qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding adviser and leader in academic advising. No more than two letters will be accepted.

A selection committee of academic advisors and representatives from the Office of the Provost reviews the nominations and makes recommendations to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, who makes the final selection. 

The award will be given to two recipients, one faculty recipient and one staff recipient. The recipients will be recognized annually at the Miami University Academic Support and Advising Association (MUASAA) symposium during the spring semester. 

For more information about dates, nomination forms, and the awards recognition ceremony, please visit the MUASAA Symposium website here.