Every year, the Provost Committee for Advisement and the Office of University Advisement recognize advisors for their service and dedication to student success. Advisors were nominated by students, colleagues and administrator for Outstanding New Advisor and Excellence in Advising. Winners were announced at the Annual Spring Advisor Institute.
Jennifer “JJ”Conn received the award for” Excellence in Advising.” She is the program coordinator for Graduation Express and Graduation Project, two initiatives to encourage students who have left the university to return and complete their degree work. Conn has been with a university advisor, for nearly 10 years and had letters of support from multiple students and administrators.
One student wrote, "Jen will go out of her way to help students and that alone is reason enough to say that she is exceptional at going above and beyond. It never fails that Jen will brighten the darkest days, and clear up even the most confusing situation a student may be dealing with when looking towards advisement. She actively listens to the problems a student may have, understands the situation, and is able to reflexively respond with insight, charisma, and intelligence in a more-than-timely manner."
Farah Nousheen, won the award for “Outstanding New Advisor.” Nousheen is an advisor with the College of Arts and Sciences. She works with Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Chicano-Chicana Studies, East Asian Studies, International Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Women Studies.
Nousheen had letters of support from faculty, staff, and students. A faculty member said, “Highly motivated and prepared for future tasks, Ms. Nousheen’s innate curiosity, discipline, insights and rapidly developing knowledge of integrated approaches related to systems excellence, adds tremendous value to any program that provides, ‘direct delivery of advising services to students.”
Director of the Office of Advisement Vanessa Harris said, “We would like to congratulate these two outstanding staff members for their excellent work. They perform an important function in assisting students move through the academic journey.” Congratulations to all the other nominees. The work that you do makes a difference in a student’s academic journey.