The 2006 JMU Provost Award for Excellence in Academic Advising

The Office of University Studies is pleased to announce the first annual Provost Award for Excellence in Academic Advising in response to recommendations from the university advising initiative completed in 2004. The award recognizes two JMU Faculty members who have made significant contributions and superlative achievement in the delivery of quality academic advising. The recipients will be invited to present workshops on advising topics through the Center for Faculty Innovation.

Eligibility

All full-time faculty whose primary responsibilities are teaching and who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising services to students during the 2006 calendar year may be nominated. Recipients will receive a $1,000 honorarium. Recipients cannot receive more than one advising award within a five-year period.

Criteria

The following criteria have been adapted from JMU’s Best Advising Practices for Faculty at www.jmu.edu/advising and the National Academic Advising Association’s faculty award criteria at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Awards/OA_Guidelines.htm. The selection committee will evaluate nominations on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic adviser. Evidence may include:

Quality of information and advice:

Knowledge of graduation requirements including General Education, Major and Degree requirements
Knowledge of appropriate schedule development and course sequencing
Appropriate use of advising tools and forms · Use and dissemination of appropriate information sources
Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
Mastery of institutional regulations, policies and procedures
Knowledge of careers and post graduate study
Participation in and support of adviser development programs

Support

Strong interpersonal skills
Caring, helpful attitude towards students
Willingness to act in the student’s best interests·
Sensitivity to diversity issues
Knowledge of campus resources and appropriate referral activity

Accessibility

Availability to advisees and frequency of contact
Face-to-face and electronic communication
Welcoming and responsive to students

Nominations:

Due November 1, 2006 Nominations for the Academic Advising awards can be submitted by completing the nomination form and submitting it to the Office of University Studies, Hillcrest 205, MSC 1504. Nominations will be accepted from students, colleagues, department heads and alumni. Self nominations are also welcome. A selection committee, chaired by the Associate Dean in University Studies, will be comprised of a faculty member from each academic college and one student member. The committee will make its recommendations to the Dean of University Studies by January 26, 2007. The Dean will notify the award recipients. To access the nomination form, click Academic Advising Award Nomination Form..