Monday, March 16, 2009
Outstanding Advisors chosen from among many nominees
 Last year, the University Advising Council instituted the USI Outstanding Advisor Awards with the hope of raising visibility and increasing recognition for an often overlooked but extremely important role on campus: the academic advisor.This year as last, the Faculty Senate’s Faculty Awards for Service, Teaching, and Research Committee chose five from a crowded field of outstanding nominees. Dr. Brian Posler, assistant provost for undergraduate studies, said there were more than 35 nominations this year. “It was a very competitive process,” he said. “Twenty-three nominations came from students, which was a significant increase, and one we like to see.” The 2008-2009 USI Outstanding Advisor Award winners are Christy Baker, associate professor of social work, Dr. Joyce Hamon, associate professor of teacher education and associate department chair, Tim Mahoney, instructor in economics, Jeannette Maier-Lytle, instructor in accounting, and Virginia Poston, instructor in art. The winners were selected based on outstanding performance in these areas: strong interpersonal skills; availability to advisees, faculty, or staff; frequency of contact with advisees; appropriate referral activity; use and dissemination of appropriate information sources; caring, helpful attitude toward advisees, faculty, and staff; monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals; and mastery of institutional regulations, policies, and procedures. “The chance to work with students is why many of us have chosen to come to work at a teaching-oriented University,” Posler said. “This is some of the best teaching that we do on campus, because it helps students find their path, not only through the University, but for the next stage in their lives.” Christy Baker Christy Baker was twice acknowledged for her skill as an advisor while teaching and directing the Bachelor of Social Work program at Florida State University, where she received the University Advisor of the Year Award and School of Social Work Advisor of the Year Award. The USI Alumni Association honored her with its Faculty Recognition Award in 2004. Dr. David Cousert, chair of the Department of Social Work, said, “Christy truly wants students to succeed, and she incorporates both science and art into advising. She tries to understand the issues, challenges, and obstacles students present and can successfully help them to problem-solve through complex scenarios.” Baker is a dedicated educator whose caring personality, combined with her expertise as a teacher and advisor, have gained her the enduring respect of her students and colleagues. Her University involvement includes committee work and six years of service as chair of the Faculty Senate. Dr. Joyce Hamon While all faculty members in the Department of Teacher Education advise students, Dr. Joyce Hamon oversees the advising, placement, and coordination of all USI student teachers – approximately 200 per year – in addition to her assigned advisees. Dr. Jeff Thomas, interim department chair, said, “Being able to spend several hours per week over many weeks working with one or more difficult situations can only be sustained by a professional who cares foremost for the student as an individual, the mission of the University, and the enhancement of her profession.” Dr. Robert Boostrom, former chair of Teacher Education, said, “The quality that sets Joyce apart is the combination of her desire to help students together with her ability to listen to them and understand more clearly than they do themselves – what is really on their minds." Tim Mahoney Tim Mahoney is passionate about advising, and it shows in the response from students. A colleague describes him as “the Pied Piper of advising.” “The line of students standing outside his door seeking his counsel is endless. Although Tim is employed in the College of Business, he doesn’t discriminate against non-majors. On the contrary, he will stay until he talks with the last student regardless of the major or the hour of day or night.” The College of Business is rife with “Mahoney stories,” another faculty member wrote, “tales of an exceptionally patient and committed advisor who spends incredible amounts of time with advisees. The stories are all true, and in fact do not go far enough in capturing Tim’s dedication to this important task.” Between his tenure at USI and at Danville Area Community College, Mahoney has advised students for 40 years. He has presented papers on the topic, and has attended advising conferences across the country. The Alumni Association presented him with the Faculty Recognition Award in 2000 and he received the College of Business Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and advising in 2006. Jeannette Maier-Lytle Maier-Lytle is known as the faculty advisor who led the USI accounting team to statewide victory in the accounting case study competitions five years in a row – beating such universities as Purdue, Indiana University, and Notre Dame – and a national victory in 2008. In the Accounting Department, she also is known as a caring and dedicated instructor, advisor, and friend to her students. Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business, said, “Her approach to advising is characterized by her passion, caring, and the high standards she sets for students. She puts considerable effort in her preparation – meeting with students on weekends, arranging review sessions with accounting professionals and faculty, and stressing the importance of excellence.” Maier-Lytle was the recipient of the 2008 Indiana CPA Case Study Advisor Award and the 2008 Institute of Management Associates Case Study Advisor Award. Amy Ogelesby, an advisee and member of the accounting team, said, “Year after year, the accounting teams win because of her persistence and dedication to push them toward success. As my academic and case study advisor, she has helped open numerous doors for me and I could never thank her enough for the impact she has made on both my college career and my life.” Virginia Poston Virginia Poston is the “go-to” advisor for many students in the College of Liberal Arts – whether or not she is their assigned advisor. Faculty cite her care and patience; understanding of the complexities of policies, procedures, and degree requirements; and “wide open door policy.” Poston’s office is located just off the main hall in the Technology Center, leading students to regularly drop by. An Art Department colleague said, “I have had numerous students, unsolicited, praise Ms. Poston as a professor who truly cares – who worked with them on thorny advising and academic issues – and who took the time to just plain hear them out and then tried her best to help.” Poston also is one of the advisors for the Art Club and has led student tours to Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Europe. She developed training sessions for faculty through the USI Advising Workshop. From 2005-2008, she served as a College of Liberal Arts Advising Fellow, advising students from throughout the college during the summers. The honor comes with a $1,000 award which may be taken by the winners as a stipend or as professional development funds. All full-time faculty and professional advising staff are eligible for the Outstanding Advisor Award. There is no length of service requirement. Wendy Knipe Bredhold News & Information Services 812/461-5259 or wkbredhold@usi.edu |
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