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WSU Honors College assistant dean Robin Bond wins international advising award

May 5, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Brooke Whiting, WSU ACADA awards chair, 509-335-9203, bwhiting@wsu.edu
WSU Honors College assistant dean Robin Bond wins international advising award

PULLMAN, Wash.—Robin Bond, Washington State University Honors College assistant dean, has won a 2017 “Outstanding Advising Award” in the faculty advisor category from NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, the leading professional organization in that field.
The award will be presented in mid-October at NACADA’s annual conference and global awards program in St. Louis, Mo. That’s one year after Bond received the faculty “Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising” award from WSU ACADA, the local organization.
“I work with wonderful students who inspire me every day,” said Bond. “I’m deeply honored to receive this award, but the recognition really goes to our students and their accomplishments.”
Adding to the WSU advising legacy
Bond’s award is the latest in a long line of NACADA winners from WSU. Since formed in 2007, 19 WSU faculty and staff members have received awards in NACADA’s faculty, administrator, new advisor, and advisor/primary role categories.
Bond is WSU’s sixth winner in NACADA’s faculty category. It is specifically for individuals with responsibility for teaching and/or research, but who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising. Criteria for the award range from frequency of contact with advisees to student success rates and advising program development.
Advising and mentoring
With a Ph.D. in classics from the University of California-Los Angeles, Bond has taught courses for Honors and other programs on Greek literature and culture.
Since 2007, she has been an academic advisor for Honors, but works to mentor her students throughout their academic career. She served as the college’s coordinator for distinguished scholarships, identifying and recruiting applicants for nationally and internationally competitive awards. She also worked with the Honors’ thesis program and advised students on the requirement. Last year, she became assistant dean of the college.
One advisee commented, “It’s people like you who make me ever more grateful for my education at WSU.”
According to her nomination packet, Bond feels that being a mentor involves more than advising appointments. She seeks to be available to students at all times, even continuing to help students over breaks. Advising sometimes requires a team effort, she said, and doesn’t hesitate to refer her students to another expert when something falls outside of her expertise.
According to a recommender, she is quick to recognize the potential of each and every student and gives them the support to achieve their full potential.
University involvement and beyond
Bond is also very involved in professional activities. Since 2014, she has served as a student research mentor and judge for the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA). She’s a member of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), the WSU Association of Faculty Women (AFW), and WSU ACADA, among others.
For more information, visit https://wsuacada.wsu.edu/.

Bond, Jeffries, Juneau and Schertenleib win WSU ACADA advising awards

Four Washington State University academic advisors—Robin Bond, Matthew Jeffries, Doug Juneau, and Kasey Schertenleib— have received “Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising” awards from their local WSU Academic Advising Association (ACADA).
Awards were presented in all of the four possible categories: Bond in the organization’s faculty advisor category; Jeffries in “new advisor” for those with three or fewer years of advising experience; Juneau in “primary advising;” and Schertenleib in “administrator.”
Together these award winners advise more than 900 undergraduates each year. All have been known to show great investment in their students, going above and beyond their required duties, and working well with the faculty in their departments so that each student achieves their full potential.
Bond’s comprehensive advising
Bond was recently promoted to assistant dean of the Honors College, having taught courses and been an academic advisor there since 2007. She served as its coordinator for distinguished scholarships, identifying and recruiting applicants for nationally and internationally competitive awards. She has worked with the Honors’ thesis program and advised students on the requirement.
Bond chooses to be more than an advisor and truly mentor her students throughout their academic career. One advisee commented, “It’s people like you who make me ever more grateful for my education at WSU.” According to her nomination packet, Bond feels that being a mentor involves more than advising appointments. She seeks to be available to students at all times, even continuing to help students over breaks. Advising sometimes requires a team effort, she said, and doesn’t hesitate to refer her students to another expert when something falls outside of her expertise. According to a recommender, she is quick to recognize the potential of each and every student and gives them the support to achieve their full potential.
With a Ph.D. in classics from University of California-Los Angeles, Bond has taught numerous courses for Honors and other programs on Greek literature and culture. She has also taught Honors thesis proposal seminars and freshman introductory seminars. Since 2014, she has served as a student research mentor and judge for the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA). She’s a member of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), the WSU Association of Faculty Women (AFW), and WSU ACADA, among others.
Jefferies builds students’ self-esteem
Jeffries has been an academic coordinator in the College of Education since 2014, and is an active member of WSU ACADA. He currently serves as its vice president.
Jefferies strives to learn the ins and outs of advising. According to a recommender, he’s a skilled listener who asks questions and really focuses on each student. If students are having problems, he knows how to encourage them to find a new path that’s right for them. Jeffries studies the structure of WSU and its regulations, polices, and procedures to reinforce his advising skills.
In his nomination packet, Jeffries said that he will always have more to learn, and sees professional development a key part of his job. He believes that students must be treated with respect, enthusiasm, and as young professionals. His main focus is building their self-esteem and helping them focus on career goals. He encourages students to advocate for themselves, which helps build self-confidence.
Jeffries graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Spanish; and pursued a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs at The Ohio State University. He’s currently a doctoral student at WSU.
Juneau is student centered
Juneau splits his time between two positions: academic technology coordinator in the dean’s office of the College of Arts and Sciences, and academic coordinator in the sociology department. He’s been an advisor for 10 years, a WSU ACADA member since 2008, and a member of the national advising organization, NACADA, since 2007.
He is described by a recommender as calm and deliberate. He doesn’t get overwhelmed or stressed but instead focuses in on a problem and works with students and faculty to solve it. He advocates for accurate student record keeping, which led him to be involved with the my.WSU computer system. He has helped other advisors understand the new system and worked to fix errors and processes with programmers.
As an advisor, Juneau is student centered. He encourages students even when they hit some major roadblocks. He feels his degree in comparative ethnic studies helps him as an advisor.
Schertenleib pushes students to find their passion.
Schertenleib is the student services manager for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. He’s served as an academic advisor for eight years and currently advises almost 80 students. A WSU alumna, he was a member of the Honors College and studied biological systems engineering. Schertenleib earned an MBA in 2001 and has worked at WSU ever since.
Engineering has influenced the way Schertenleib approaches advising. He identifies problems, barriers or obstacles that he and other advisers face and finds creative solutions. According to his nomination packet, he also identifies and solves problems that affects his students.
Schertenleib encourages them to be involved in a variety of undertakings, such as undergraduate research, study abroad, and student clubs, and to use support services such as mentoring and tutoring. Being the advisor assigned to undecided engineering students makes these activities especially important because they can help students to find their passion, according to his nomination packet. Schertenleib advocates for “flex” advisors who are trained across disciplines to work with students.
All of the awardees will be recognized at WSU Undergraduate Education award ceremony in April. WSU ACADA will support its local winners as they move their applications forward for consideration at the regional and global association levels. For more information on these and previous WSU ACADA award winners, visit: http://wsuacada.wsu.edu

MEDIA CONTACT: Brooke Whiting, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, 509-335-1219, bwhiting@wsu.edu

Call for Nominations for Advising Awards

Washington State University’s Academic Advising Association [WSU ACADA] is now accepting letters of nomination for Outstanding Achievements in Academic Advising by WSU faculty and professional advisors. WSU ACADA is the primary organized group of professional and faculty advisors and student support personnel at WSU. One of the main purposes of our organization is to increase advising effectiveness at WSU by strengthening communication on academic advising issues within the academic community among faculty and professional advisors.

WSU ACADA would like to be the first to recognize outstanding advisors within our university by presenting a plaque to the recipient of each category at an awards ceremony next spring. WSU ACADA Awards will be given in the following categories:

New Advisor category (advising for 3 or fewer years)

  1. Academic Advising Primary Role – Individuals whose primary role at Washington State University is the direct delivery of academic advising services to students.

Advising category (advising for more than 3 years)

  1. Academic Advising Primary Role – Individuals whose primary role at Washington State University is the direct delivery of academic advising services to students.
  2. Faculty Academic Advising – Individuals whose primary responsibility is teaching and who spend a portion of their time at Washington State University providing academic advising/mentoring/support services to students. Must have faculty status at Washington State University.
  3. Academic Advising Administrator — Individuals who may provide direct academic advising services but whose primary responsibility is as an administrator or director, and is responsible for an academic advising program at Washington State University.

Anyone can nominate a WSU employee for an award! To nominate an advisor/administrator for one of the above categories, the nomination process will require a 1-2 page letter of nomination (support) addressing and providing examples of the applicant’s use of developmental advising, involvement in and use of the university network in advising students, and encouraging student responsibility for his/her education. Include the name, college, department and contact email and phone number of the person being nominated. The nomination deadline is August 15, 2016 and letters should be sent to Brooke Whiting, Chair, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, ZIP 4852 or bwhiting@wsu.edu.

WSU award recipients will be encouraged to submit their applications for the regional (November 1, 2016 deadline) and global (March 2017 deadline) level advising awards as well. Thank you for your support to recognize outstanding advisors at Washington State University.

Brooke Whiting, Chair
WSU ACADA Awards Committee

New WSU Parker Award presented to John McNamara for advising service

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University animal sciences professor John McNamara is the inaugural recipient of the Jane Parker Award for Service to the WSU Advising Community, presented in May by WSU ACADA (Academic Advising Association).

“This award is newly created to honor individuals who have been in the forefront of, and are strong supporters of, academic advising, and it is very fitting that the first Jane Parker award go to Dr. McNamara,” said Valorie Fisher, president of WSU ACADA.

She said that the new award is also intended to honor Jane Parker, a nationally recognized advising professional who retired in 2012 following 36 years at WSU. Throughout her career, Parker led advising programs, coordinated student peer advisors, worked with reinstated students, and became assistant director of the former Center for Advising and Career Development.

“Jane championed the value and importance of advising to student success,” said Fisher.

McNamara receives top honors

“The Jane Parker award is WSU ACADA’s top honor for contributions to advising at our university, and the executive committee voted unanimously to honor Dr. McNamara with this award,” said Brooke Whiting, chair of the group’s awards committee.

Fisher added, “In his 33 years at WSU, he has been an award-winning teacher and a tireless advocate for excellence in advising of students. He is passionate about helping them reach their goals, and he often lifts them up and shows them where they could be with hard work and determination on the path to graduation.

“Dr. McNamara has also been a leader for the advising community and conducted professional advising training for nearly two decades. When WSU ACADA began in 2007, he served as the faculty representative.”

McNamara is retiring from WSU. Just days after landing the Jane Parker award, he received another high honor: he was elected to be a fellow of the American Association of Animal Sciences. A fellow in the American Dairy Science Association since 2012, he is the ninth person to be a fellow in both professional societies, Whiting said.

At WSU, he was one of the first recipients of excellence in research and advising awards from the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, and an early member of the WSU Teaching Academy.

WSU ACADA

WSU ACADA is the primary organized group of professional and faculty advisors and student support personnel. It offers numerous workshops and trainings, and facilitates relationships between mentors and mentees. Membership provides access to resources available from the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. For information on the organization, visit http://www.wsuacada.org.

Gizerian, Krauss, and Mendez-Liana named top advisors by WSU ACADA

October 30, 2015

MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Chow, Co-Chair, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, 509-335-8731, ychow@wsu.edu

Brooke Whiting, Co-Chair, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, 509-335-1219, bwhiting@wsu.edu

Gizerian, Krauss, and Mendez-Liaina named top advisors by WSU ACADA

PULLMAN, Wash. – Three Washington State University advisors have received the highest awards possible from their local WSU Academic Advising Association (ACADA). Samantha Gizerian received the Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising award in the “faculty category.” The “primary role” category, for those with more than three years of experience in the field, goes to Veronica Mendez- Liaina. The Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising in the “new advisory category,” for those with three or fewer years of advising experience goes to Tina Krauss.

Together the award winners advise more than 800 undergraduates each year. They all are credited with showing an incredible investment in their students, going above and beyond their required duties and working in sync with the faculty in their departments to make sure each student is achieving their potential and are involved in the WSU community.

“ACADA is proud to support student success by recognizing outstanding advisors at WSU. Each of the award winners have demonstrated excellence in academic advising,” said Yung-Hwa Anna Chow, awards co-chair. “They see the opportunity to support students as an honor, both in assisting students toward their career and life goals and in their commitment towards student success and retention.”

Krauss sees potential for success.

Krauss, an academic coordinator in the School of Biological Sciences, has been advising students for two years. In her WSU ACADA application packet, Krauss highlighted her excitement about the many facets of advising.

“Being an advisor at WSU is more than just helping students get the right classes or managing exceptions,“ said Krauss. “Being an advisor means helping students plan for their life after high school, life after college, and helping provide tools to make them successful in life. My goal is to see each of my students graduate in their chosen field, but more than that, to help them be successful in everything they do.”

Common threads ran through her letters of recommendation.

“Tina obviously cares deeply for the students, and she takes her role in their lives very seriously. She strives to do her job well, and seems to be involved in many dimensions of advising, such as serving on various committees that involve anti-bullying and gender equality” said Erica J. Crespi, a fellow advisor.

In 1997 she was a “Hypernaut” lab consultant in the former Student Advising and Learning Center.  She worked as a consultant in the Avery Microcomputer Lab (AML) in 2005 and she co-instructed English 300: Teaching with Technology. In 2008 she taught American Studies 475: Digital Diversity. In 2012 she became the program assistant at the Registrar’s Office Graduations, working with zzusis and providing training on the system to others across campus. She began her current job in 2013.

In her short time advising she’s taken advantage of the many resources available to her. She’s Level 2 certified by WSU ACADA and is well versed in MyWSU and financial aid programs.   She also stays up to date on opportunities that might be beneficial to her students.

A WSU alumna, she received her bachelor of arts degree (’98) in communication and master of arts in American studies: digital diversity (’06) from WSU. In 2014-15, she was on the President’s Commission on Gender Identity/ Expression and Sexual Orientation. Krauss has been a major supporter of LGBTQ issues since she was a student at WSU. Krauss lives in Pullman with her fiancé and two children.

Gizerian builds positive relationships.

Gizerian is a clinical assistant professor and associate director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience Department, College of Veterinary Medicine. She believes strongly that advising is key to students’ success especially in neurobiology.

“I believe that academic advising plays a significant role in the development of college students into successful, independent graduates” said Gizerian. “The advising relationship, built on mutual respect and contribution, provides a safe place for students to challenge themselves and grow. Although I am a teacher and a researcher by training, advising is the most important part of my job. Working with students as their mentor-advisor gives me opportunities to help them learn not only how the brain works, but also how to use it to be successful in whatever path they choose.”

Gizerian directs the college’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program (SURE). In 2015, she received the Excellence in Support of Undergraduate Research Award from the Office of Undergraduate Research. Gizerian strives to be, in her own words, “open and available” to her students.

Gizerian teaches Neuroscience 138: Neuroscience Seminar and Neuroscience 490: Senior Project. Teaching allows her to stay in close contact with both freshmen and seniors, many of whom she advises, which gives her additional touchpoints with her advisees.

Before WSU, Gizerian was an assistant professor at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. She loved teaching but was not as enthusiastic about research. When she saw the opportunity to advise and teach at WSU she jumped at it. She moved to Pullman to accept the position.

Her advisees appreciate Gizerian’s passion for advising. “The things that she does beyond what is expected make Dr. Gizerian amazing” said a student advisee. “She keeps her door open; I have walked in without an appointment countless times with questions, concerns, or simply to say hello… she genuinely cares for her advisees, far beyond our academic standing.”

She graduated with a bachelor of arts (’99) in biology from the California Institute of Technology and earned her Ph. D (’05) in neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s been at WSU since 2011. Gizerian says her job is “the best job in the universe” and wants to continue exactly what she’s doing now for as long as she can. She lives in Pullman with her husband who was her high school sweetheart.

Mendez-Liaina is always giving back.

Mendez-Liaina is the academic coordinator and advisor in the College of Education, Office of Student Services and Department of Sport Management.

Mendez-Liaina spends much of her time outside of work volunteering as well as serving on various committees. She’s the NACADA Multicultural Commission Chair until 2016, a position that requires nominations by other advisors. She’s always been focuses on furthering multicultural diversity and awareness. In 1998 she was a founding member of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc., a multicultural sorority on campus. She currently serves as their chapter advisor.

“I love to give back” said Mendez-Liaina. “Someone did it for me in college, now I get to give back and I hope someone will do it for my children one day.”

From 2012-14 she taught KINE 138- Introduction to Kinesiology. As her first time teaching Mendez-Liaina felt teaching pushed her to become more organized and gave her the classroom perspective.

“It gave me a better idea of exactly what my students are going through it the classroom” said Mendez-Liaina. “It’s a teachable moment every time you advise and teaching made me better at that part of my job.”

A senior sport management major stated in his letter of recommendation, “Students are Veronica’s main priority and this needs to be recognized. From the first time I stood in her office she was fully committed to developing my goals, expectations, and objectives at WSU.”

“The best part of my job is working with first year students and watching them succeed” said Mendez-Liaina. “When they graduate I’m their biggest supporter. I love being there to help them celebrate getting into graduate school or a big internship. My favorite part though it is when one of my advisees says thank you. It makes me happy to know I helped them get to where they are today.”

Also a WSU alumna, she received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication/ Public Relations in 1999 and her Masters of Arts in Higher Education in 2005. She’s worked at WSU since 2001. First as the Interim Recruitment Coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Student Services and as a Program Assistant. She was an Academic Advisor and Recruitment Coordinator in the College of Business until 2012 when she moved to her current position. She lives in Pullman with her husband, Sonny and their three children, Daniel, Sonny Jr. and Morin.

The awardees will be recognized at the Office of Undergraduate Education Award Ceremony in April. For more information on these and previous WSU ACADA awardees, visit: http://www.wsuacada.org

 

Gizerian, Krauss, and Mendez-Liaina named top advisors by WSU ACADA

Three Washington State University advisors have received the highest awards possible from their local WSU Academic Advising Association (ACADA). Samantha Gizerian received the Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising award in the “faculty category.” The “primary role” category, for those with more than three years of experience in the field, goes to Veronica Mendez- Liaina. The Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising in the “new advisory category,” for those with three or fewer years of advising experience goes to Tina Krauss.

Together the award winners advise more than 800 undergraduates each year. They all are credited with showing an incredible investment in their students, going above and beyond their required duties and working in sync with the faculty in their departments to make sure each student is achieving their potential and are involved in the WSU community.

“ACADA is proud to support student success by recognizing outstanding advisors at WSU. Each of the award winners have demonstrated excellence in academic advising,” said Yung-Hwa Anna Chow, awards co-chair. “They see the opportunity to support students as an honor, both in assisting students toward their career and life goals and in their commitment towards student success and retention.”

The awardees will be recognized at the Office of Undergraduate Education Award Ceremony in April. For more information on these and previous WSU ACADA awardees, visit: http://www.wsuacada.org

 

Sánchez Lanier named top national academic advisor

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.

WSU’s Mary Sanchez Lanier and Justine Rupp Win Regional Academic Advising Awards

March 25, 2015

MEDIA:  Anna Chow, Co-Chair, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, 509-335-8731, ychow@wsu.edu

Brooke Whiting, Co-Chair, WSU ACADA Awards Committee, 509-335-1219, bwhiting@wsu.edu

WSU’s Mary Sanchez Lanier and Justine Rupp Win Regional Academic Advising Awards

PULLMAN, Wash.—Two at Washington State University—Mary Sánchez Lanier and Justine Rupp—have landed “Excellence in Advising” awards from the Northwest Region 8 division of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Sánchez Lanier won the top award in the faculty academic advisor category and Rupp a certificate of merit in the advising administrator role. Awards were presented in mid-March at the annual Region 8 conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

“Mary and Justine represent the best of academic advising at Washington State, and to be recognized at the regional level means they are also among the very best in an eight-state or –province district,” said Yung-Hwa Anna Chow, co-chair of the awards committee of the WSU Academic Advising Association (WSU ACADA). [http://www.wsuacada.org/] It is an allied member of NACADA.

Region 8 consists of members from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Yukon Territory, and Washington.

In fall, Sánchez Lanier and Rupp were two of five recipients of WSU ACADA’s Outstanding Achievement in Academic Advising awards. The others are: Teresa Phimister in the advisor-primary role; and two in the “new advisor” category for those with three or fewer years of advising experience, Leah Rosenkranz-Wurst in the primary role and Aaron Whelchel in the new faculty group. Phimister and Whelchel are at WSU Vancouver.

For more information on award winners, visit the WSU ACADA website. [http://www.wsuacada.org/overview/awards-received-by-wsu-acada-members/]

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