Henson School Faculty Member, Elichia Venso, Recipient of National Outstanding Academic Advising Award
Dr. Elichia Venso, associate professor of biology and director of environmental health in SSU's Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, was one of 38 faculty and professional advisors from across the U.S. and Canada to receive an Outstanding Academic Advisor Award.
Over 2,000 professional and faculty advisors from across the U.S. and Canada were present at the four-day conference and awards presentation. The NACADA National Award program honors individuals and institutions who are making significant contributions to the field of academic advising.
Venso was a recipient of an award plaque and a trip to San Diego to attend the conference. Venso's commitment to her students through an individualized advising process was cited as qualifiers for her award. Venso's students described her advising in the following manner: "treated me as an individual," "has an infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter," "shows a lot of interest in advising me" and "took extra time to help me with my specific needs."
SSU was also the recipient of an Outstanding Advisee Publication award for Stop Before You Drop. The publication was developed by Sandra Cohea-Weible, Marylane McGlinchey, Lee Townshend and Tom Tresott in response to a change in policy which no longer requires an instructor's signature for dropping a class. The publication provides students with a list of issues they need to consider before dropping a class and encourages them to discuss these issues with their advisors. This year NACADA selected six out of 49 entries in the Advisee Category for recognition and award.
SSU has received five national advising awards in the last four years. Outstanding advisor awards have been received by Venso, Dr. Amy Meekins and Lee Townshend. Publication awards have gone to Stop Before You Drop published by the Office of Academic Affairs and Open Doors to Your Career published by Career Services.