Honors College Staff Recognized for Award-Winning Dedication

This past month, Honors College staff members have taken home several prestigious awards, recognizing excellence in their respective fields. 

Award-winning advising

At the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) conference for Region 4 in Jacksonville, Florida, advisors Savannah Baker, Taylor Davis and Katie Martin were awarded Best in Region for their presentation, “Recommendation Round Table: Writing Effective Letters for Students.”

Their session defined a five-step framework for writing strong letters of recommendation, which is designed to help advisors evaluate whether they are the best fit to write a letter, identify alternative recommenders and find tangible methods to expedite the writing process. This impressive recognition earned the Honors Advisors an invitation to present at the national NACADA conference in Las Vegas later this year. 

NACADA is a global community for academic advising with over 10,000 members around the world. It provides members with innovative opportunities for professional and personal growth through conferences, award programs, web-based resources and seminars and consulting services.

This recognition exemplifies the excellence of Honors advisors and their commitment to providing exceptional support and mentorship to Honors students. 

 

excellence in communications

At the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Honors Marketing and Communication Specialist Wade Berry was honored with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding work in public relations and communications. This celebrated accolade is awarded as part of the state Medallion Awards competition, signifying excellence in communication efforts across Alabama.  

Medallion Awards offers PRCA members the valuable opportunity to showcase their work, gain professional recognition and receive feedback that facilitates continuous improvement. With multiple categories and three award tiers, the Award of Excellence is one of the highest distinctions a member can receive. This marks Berry’s 11th PRCA award, including six Medallions, four Awards of Excellence and one Award of Merit.

PRCA is Alabama's longest running and largest group of public relations practitioners. The organization is dedicated to connecting and advancing the interests of public relations and communication professionals across the private, public and nonprofit sectors. The association is one of the seven chapters throughout the state that offer members professional development opportunities through workshops, meetings and regional and state-wide conferences. 

Stellar staff

“These awards confirm what I already knew: our staff are nothing short of stellar,” said Laura Stevens, director of the Honors College. "I am grateful on a daily basis that we have such an amazing team of talented and committed professionals who serve and support our students.”

The Honors College is proud to recognize its award-winning staff members whose dedication and leadership go above and beyond advancing the mission of the college. Through their outstanding contributions, these individuals are helping shape a transformative Honors experience. 

Story written by Kristen Fielding