College of Arts and Sciences
Departmental Student Advising and Retention Award
Background and Purpose
Effective advising is essential to the academic success of our undergraduate and graduate student majors. Nearly all of the staff and faculty in our academic departments engage in some form of advising. They often direct, guide, and inspire our students in these interactions. The best advising connects students to something bigger than themselves, confirms that others have a stake in their success, and illuminates the path to graduation and beyond. This is an expected and vital student service, too often taken for granted. Students who perceive that they are a valued part of something significant are more likely to remain and complete their education. Retention and graduation are also tied directly to state support of NMSU. This award seeks to recognize and reward departments that make quality advising and student retention a priority.
Eligibility
Academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible. Winning departments may not receive the award again within two years.
Award
An annual award, contingent on the availability of funds, of $4,000 will be given to the selected department. These funds will be placed in the department head discretionary accounts for use as the department sees fit as long as expenditures are consistent with university policy.
Award Criteria
The following criteria will be used to determine the award-winning department in a given year. The winning department will excel in at least two of these areas.
- Evidence of effective student advising
- Evidence of commitment to student retention
- Accessibility of advising
- Creativity in approaches to advising and retention
- Collaboration with other student-serving units on campus
- Participation of faculty in orientation, advising, and retention activities on campus
- Faculty development toward increased effectiveness in advising/retention
- Demonstrated success in student retention
- Dedication of departmental resources to advising and retention
10. Departmental recognition and reward for staff and faculty advising and retention efforts
Award Procedure
Each spring, based on availability of funds, nominations will be solicited for the award. Nominations can be made by department heads, faculty, staff, and/or students. Nominators should submit a memo to the dean--not to exceed three pages – addressing the criteria listed above. The Dean and Associate Deans of the College of Arts and Sciences will select the winning department based on the criteria above. This determination will be made in consultation with the staff of the College Student Records and Advising Centers. Announcement of the winning department will be made at the spring award ceremony each year. Deadline for submission of nominations for this award is Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5:00 pm.