Outstanding academic advisors honored at annual Provost Advising Awards Ceremony

Throughout their college journey, Auburn students forge numerous connections with faculty, staff and administrators, whose collective influence profoundly shapes their experience. Whether it's a professor whose lecture ignites a passion for a particular discipline, a staff member whose dedication goes above and beyond or an alum who has excelled in their career, each connection plays a vital role. However, the connections that often endure the longest are those formed between students and advisors.

On Feb. 4, members of Auburn’s advising community were honored during the Annual Provost Advising Awards Ceremony, held in the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center. The recipients were recognized for their dedication to helping students discover and achieve their goals and for their tireless commitment to student success.

President Roberts, alongside Chase Bringardner, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, presented awards to recipients in six different categories, each nominated by colleagues and students. Offering congratulations to the recipients, Provost Vini Nathan acknowledged the accomplishments of this year’s honorees while expressing gratitude to Auburn’s advisors and support staff.

“While we are recognizing a few individuals today, it is important to note that all of you in this room are vital contributors to our students' successes and to advancing our mission,” Nathan said. “The work you do is truly an extension of Auburn’s exceptional advising culture.”

Representing the Colleges of Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Nursing and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, as well as the Pathway and Transfer Center and the Exploration Center, recipients expressed heartfelt gratitude to their families and the university’s broader family of advisors and coordinators. Each emphasized Auburn’s close-knit advising community, renowned for its shared passion for enhancing students' experiences.

Elizabeth Gowan, an advisor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and recipient of the Outstanding Primary Advisor award, expressed her humbleness upon receiving the award. Her nomination was initiated by former students and supported by colleagues from across campus. Gowan highlighted the unique ability of advisors to balance patience and empathy with tough love. She extended her gratitude to her own family, including her mother who was in attendance.

“If you ask any advisor in this room, they will fiercely defend the idea that this is not a job just anyone can do,” Gowan said. “My mother raised me to know that tough love means caring enough to say what needs to be said – something we all have to do each day.”

With more than 300 academic, professional and faculty advisors and staff across campus, Auburn's advising community plays a crucial role in supporting the university’s more than 30,000 students. By building pathways of connection, encouragement and development, advisors ensure that each student receives the guidance they need throughout their academic journey.

In addition to Gowan, this year’s winners include Mallory Beck from the College of Agriculture, who received the Outstanding New Advisor award, and Pam Hennessey from the College of Nursing, who was named the Outstanding Advising Administrator. Dr. Cary Curtiss from the Pathway and Transfer Center was awarded the Outstanding Student Support Representative, while Dr. Makeela Wells was recognized as the Outstanding Faculty Mentor. The Exploration Center was honored as the Outstanding Advising Program.

Several recipients will be honored by NACADA this April for Region Four, and all will be nominated for NACADA’s global recognition later this year, proudly representing the university.

“While the ceremony is something we do every year, you all are the true champions for our students and deserve recognition every day,” Nathan added.

For more information on the 2005 Advising Award winners and to see past recipients, visit the Provost Advising Awards website.