Awards & Recognition

Outstanding Academic Advisor

Outstanding Professional Advisor

Purpose: 

The Arkansas Academic Advising Network (ArkAAN) is accepting nominations for the Outstanding Professional Advisor of the Year Award. 

The selection committee will evaluate nominations on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic advisor, faculty advisor, or advising administrator.  ArkAAN Executive Board members are not eligible to be nominated, by a peer for any of the ArkAAN Advising Awards. 

Acceptable evidence may include: 

  • Ability to engage in, promote and support developmental advising – the concept that advising is a teaching opportunity beyond course selection that may include career exploration, decision making skills, values clarification, critical thinking, utilizing campus resources, taking personal responsibility, and understanding the processes and the value of a college education
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Availability to advisees, faculty, or staff
  • Frequency of contact with advisees
  • Appropriate referral activity
  • Use and dissemination of appropriate information source 
  • Evidence of student success rate, by advisor or department 
  • Advisee or unit evaluations (summary data)
  • Caring and helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty, and staff
  • Participation in and support of proactive advising to build strong relationships with advisees
  • Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
  • Mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Participation in and support of advisor development programs
  • Perception by colleagues of nominee’s advising or advising administration skills

Application Deadline: 

ArkAAN is currently accepting applications, the deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024 

Interested applicants can apply below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m8IktKStt42TsyBAQp9DtpJ6LdsSKwnB3PyPeoir_pY/edit

2017: Scott Tomlin, Arkansas Tech University

2016: Donna Smith, University of Arkansas

2015: Angela Bell, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

2014: Pierre Poquette, University of Arkansas

2013: Carla Griffin, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Outstanding Faculty Advisor

Purpose: 

The Arkansas Academic Advising Network (ArkAAN) is accepting nominations for the Outstanding Faculty  Advisor of the Year Award. 

The selection committee will evaluate nominations on the evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic advisor, faculty advisor, or advising administrator.  ArkAAN Executive Board members are not eligible to be nominated, by a peer for any of the ArkAAN Advising Awards. 

Acceptable evidence may include: 

  • Ability to engage in, promote and support developmental advising – the concept that advising is a teaching opportunity beyond course selection that may include career exploration, decision making skills, values clarification, critical thinking, utilizing campus resources, taking personal responsibility, and understanding the processes and the value of a college education
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Availability to advisees, faculty, or staff
  • Frequency of contact with advisees
  • Appropriate referral activity
  • Use and dissemination of appropriate information source 
  • Evidence of student success rate, by advisor or department 
  • Advisee or unit evaluations (summary data)
  • Caring and helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty, and staff
  • Participation in and support of proactive advising to build strong relationships with advisees
  • Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
  • Mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Participation in and support of advisor development programs
  • Perception by colleagues of nominee’s advising or advising administration skills

Application Deadline: 

ArkAAN is currently accepting applications, the deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024 

Interested applicants can apply below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wFzvFdkcBJMmT4_Y1EjMS4mISfVelOrAWpWaEHrOyxA/edit

​2019: J. Laurence Hare, University of Arkansas

2017: LaQuita Saunders, Arkansas State University

Outstanding Advising Administrator

2016: Dr. Shane Barker, University of Arkansas

Professional Development Grants

Purpose:

In an effort to support the professional development of Academic Advisors across the State of Arkansas, the Arkansas Academic Advising Association, Inc. (ArkAAN) offers grants to members who wish to conduct original research or to attend or conduct classes, workshops, seminars or conferences.


Grants:

The number of grants awarded is dependent upon available funding.

Grants are awarded by the ArkAAN Executive Board. 
The Board may award up to $200 for each grant.
The Board must receive confirmation of acceptance of the grant before funds will be disbursed.


Eligibility:

Applicant must be an ArkAAN member in good standing.
Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply, but will be considered after applicants who have not previously received a grant.
Grant recipients will be announced in the newsletter/Facebook and at the annual ArkAAN Conference.

Application Deadline:

ArkAAN is currently accepting applications, the deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024.

Interested applicants can apply here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uYm-Qtu4rk8b9VoDZiGP5MCHziaVXTYH1oPaDn52Cqg/edit

Scholarship Research Award

Purpose: 

Any current ArkAAN member who is a graduate student completing graduate-level research which significant adds to the body of knowledge on academic advising.  Undergraduate students may be eligible when sponsored by a current ArkAAN member who is familiar with the individual research proposal.  Certification that the student is currently enrolled and is employed full-time in an advising position is required.   

Award:  $200.00

Please submit:
1. A completed Nomination Form.
2. A draft of your research proposal. It may be in whatever format required by your institution for thesis/dissertation proposals, but it must include:
a. Title
b. Statement of significance of study
c. Statement of problem
d. Definition of key terms
e. Statement of limitations of the study
f. Design of the study
g. Brief review of relevant literature
h. Schedule for completing the study
i. Budget statement of expenses not to exceed $200.00

Application Deadline:

ArkAAN is currently accepting applications, the deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024.

Interested applicants can apply here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SsNh5DzowKFUW4CQ38Y7JqU5EkBtfKqP6ZdV5ktNCcc/edit

ArkAAN Emerging Leaders Graduate Scholarship

Purpose:

Do you know of a graduate student or a new professional with an interest in the academic advising profession? Here is your opportunity to nominate them for an ArkAAN Emerging Leader Scholarship. ArkAAN Emerging Leader Scholarships support the development of leaders in academic advising. Scholarships will cover the registration fee up to $200 for the NACADA Region 7 Conference.

(Applications are accepted in the spring semester.)

Award: $200.00

Eligibility: Any current ARKAAN member who is a graduate student completing graduate-level
research which significantly adds to the body of knowledge on academic advising.
Undergraduate students may be eligible when sponsored by a current ARKAAN
member who is familiar with the individual research proposal. Certification that
the student is currently enrolled and is employed full-time in an advising
position is required.

Please submit:
1. A completed Nomination Form.
2. A draft of your research proposal. It may be in whatever format required by your institution for thesis/dissertation proposals, but it must include:
a. Title
b. Statement of significance of study
c. Statement of problem
d. Definition of key terms
e. Statement of limitations of the study
f. Design of the study
g. Brief review of relevant literature
h. Schedule for completing the study
i. Budget statement of expenses not to exceed $200.00

Application Deadline:

ArkAAN is currently accepting applications, the deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024.

Interested applicants can apply here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UUBNpYDyJAeZJ8YycDMzvCmsk6Rxr_y5ozvjaB0C1Cc/edit

Best of State Presentation

Previous Best of State Presentations:

2017: Donna Smith, University of Arkansas- Fayetteville “I didn’t get in to the BFA program, so I guess I’ll just make cat paintings: Advising Fine Arts students and turning perceived failure into new opportunities”

2023: Adrian Gardner and Michelle Crater Grice “May I take your order please: An institution’s order to student success”

2024: Dr. Dechantria “Dee Dee” Wallace-University of Arkansas for Medical Science- “What if I Fail? Helping Students Understand and Overcome Imposter Syndrome”