From WSU News Oct. 5, 2015
CONTACT: Mary Sánchez Lanier, Assistant Vice Provost, WSU Undergraduate Education, 509-335-7769, sánchez@vetmed.wsu.edu
Sánchez Lanier named top national academic advisor
PULLMAN, Wash — Washington State University Assistant Vice Provost Mary Sánchez Lanier has received the “Outstanding Advising Award” in the faculty category from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) at its annual conference in Las Vegas.
The faculty academic advising category is for individuals with responsibility for teaching and research, but who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising. Criteria for the award cover topics ranging from frequency of contact with advisees to student success rates and advising program development.
The national NACADA award is Sánchez Lanier’s third top advisor award this year. The local WSU Academic Advising Association (WSU ACADA) named her tops in its faculty academic advisor category in fall 2014. And, she took the similar top award at the NACADA regional group in spring 2015.
Advising as a partnership
In her application, Sánchez Lanier wrote about advising as a partnership between a student and a mentor. She described how, for more than two decades, she has focused on listening, asking questions, and encouraging students toward their passions.
“Often as advisors, our task is to help students put their experiences into perspective,” said Sánchez Lanier. “Then they can understand their choices and the resources available to them to guide their decision-making as they move forward.”
In her application, a student recommender described how Sánchez Lanier’s empathy and hard work helped a struggling student find the major that matched their interests. Another said that “she never simply told me what to do, but rather asked what she could do to help me.”
“I help students connect their college experience with their life and their future,” said Sánchez Lanier. “Depending on the student, that conversation might be about how to choose a major, find an undergraduate-research experience, or develop plans about grades.”
Jonathan Jones, SMB director, said “Mary takes every effort to be the best advisor possible and indicates her dedication and passion for students and the task at hand in many ways.”
Student-focused national leadership roles
Sánchez Lanier’s work to support students extends beyond her WSU roles as advisor, mentor, award-winning teacher, and administrator. She is WSU’s faculty representative to the Goldwater and Udall foundations, which award nationally competitive and prestigious scholarships. She is a leader in several professional organizations and serves on several committees.
She established the Research Capstone Institute for American Society for Microbiology Fellows, a professional development organization for graduates and undergraduates who want help establishing professional contacts, solid research programs, and strong presentation skills.
Advising organizations
NACADA is an entity that serves universities worldwide and works to expand academic advising in the areas of communication, professional development, and inclusivity.
Begun in 2009, WSU ACADA has honored more than two dozen advisors with outstanding achievement awards. Several of those winners have also received regional and national awards from NACADA.