2024 ACN Recognition Award

Nominations are now open. Please submit all nominations by March 28, 2025.

Award Objective:  This award was established as a means of recognizing individuals associated with UWM whose primary professional responsibility is advising/coaching of current or prospective students.

Eligibility:  Any advising and/or coaching professional, full-time, who is directly responsible for the advising and/or coaching of current or prospective students.

Criteria:  Nominations will be accepted from students, staff, faculty, or self-nomination. Nominations and letters of support should document excellence in all of the following categories for the 2024 calendar year (please comment and provide examples of each of the following):

  1. Service to Students
    The candidate goes above and beyond to provide outstanding service to students.
  2. Comprehensive Knowledge of School/College and the University
    The candidate has the knowledge necessary to guide students, make appropriate referrals, and interpret university policies/procedures.
  3. Positive and Supportive Relationships with Students
    The candidate treats students with respect and has lent to their overall success at the University.  This should be demonstrated through student letter(s).
  4. Involvement and Appreciation for the Profession of Student Services
    The candidate demonstrates cultural competency, is involved in ACN and other professional groups, participates in committee work and/or takes advantage of staff development opportunities.
  5. Outstanding Initiative or Service for 2024 Calendar Year.
    The candidate has displayed initiative to develop activities for the students beyond their normal advising/coaching duties, specifically during the current academic year.

Procedure:  The Awards Sub-Committee of the Advisors & Counselors Network accepts nomination through our nomination form. Nominations are solicited through a call for nominations from the ACN membership.

  • The nominator shall submit the nomination online by Friday, March 28, 2025.  The nomination packet must contain:
    1. The award nomination form (ONLINE).
    2. A letter of recommendation from the nominator and/or supervisor (ONLINE). This letter should include, but is not limited to: notable achievements or service of the nominee in the year 2024, other notable achievements or service of the nominee at UWM, and any other notable information based on the award’s eligibility criteria.
    3. A student recommendation in the form of either a letter of recommendation OR the completion of the Student Nomination Form
    4. Additional letters of recommendation may be provided, up to a maximum of four.

Notes to Nominators: If you are considering submitting a nomination, please consider the following:

  • The nominator must be a current UWM employee or student.
  • Nomination materials should be new and current for 2024. Old letters of recommendation, including old student letters, should not be used or recycled.
  • Student nominators – looking to nominate your advisor/coach? Submit an online Student Nomination Form!

To start the nomination process, please click here!

 


Award:  The Awards Sub-Committee of the Advisors & Coaches Network will make the final selection and will present the award in the spring (date to be determined).

Previous winners of this award include:

  • 2004 Jennie Klumpp, CEAS
  • 2005 Gwyn Wallander, L&S
  • 2006 Kelby Spann, HBSSW
  • 2007 Vicki Provost, AOC
  • 2008 Jon Broskowski, SAC
  • 2009 Dinah Gygi, PSOA
  • 2010 Rachel McGraw, CIE
  • 2011 Lori Fitzenberger, L&S
  • 2012 Sharon Kaempfer, CEAS
  • 2013 Toby Deutsch, SOIS
  • 2014 Aparna Datey, Global Studies
  • 2015 Alejandra Lopez, LUB
  • 2016 Angie Sadowsky, SOIS
  • 2017 Brian Williams, SOIS
  • 2018 Torry Rufer, CHS
  • 2019 Rebecca Reece, PSOA
  • 2020 Jennifer DeRoche, L&S
  • 2021 Maggie Flath, SOIS
  • 2022 Gabriela Dorantes, RHC
  • 2023 Amanda Soika, Pathway Advising