Katie Larson Named 2022 Academic Advisor of the Year

Katie Larson, Assistant Director of Academic Advising in CEHHS, has been named Academic Advisor of the Year. She will receive her award at the Faculty Senate/Staff Advisory Council/Academic Advising Council Banquet on May 16.

Academic advising is recognized as at “the very core of successful institutional efforts to educate and retain students” (Tinto, 1987). It may be the “single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience” (Light, 2001).

The Advisor of the Year award was created to recognize and honor advisors for their:

• Contribution and service to students and academic advising on campus
• Advocacy and collaboration for students and academic advising best practices
• Initiative and attitude in improving academic advising

Katie’s nominators describe her as an advisor that goes the extra mile for her students. One of her student nominators shared that Katie "made me realize that my age and experience was a strength of mine and that 'I can do this!'" She is a fantastic resource to both her students and fellow advisors. She is also noted by multiple nominators that her core strength is in her ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in print. She is a natural at building relationships.

Katie not only serves her students and department, but is active on campus and in professional associations. She previously served on the Academic Advising Council Executive Team and is currently involved in NACADA (The Global Community for Academic Advising) on committees and in writing group. She just returned from the NACADA Region 6 conference where she presented on her research.