Care, attention and support: Exceptional advisors celebrated at annual Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards Ceremony | Undergraduate Education

“We have some big, bold initiatives and goals to advance student success, and what links it all together, what makes it all possible, is outstanding community members like you,” said President Kevin M. Guskiewicz in a recorded message to MSU advisors, kicking off the annual MSU Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards on Feb. 24, 2025. Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Education, this awards ceremony brings together Spartans from across campus to celebrate and reward the accomplishments of exceptional advisors at MSU.

Guests arriving to the MSU Union Ballroom for the Advisor Recognition and Awards were greeted with a projected slideshow featuring words of gratitude directly from Spartan students to their advisors. “My advisor made me feel heard and helped me find my path,” said one student. Another remarked that their advisor “is incredibly knowledgeable, cares so much about individual student’s goals and needs, and will work with you as much as you need to achieve meaningful results.” Throughout the many student messages was the running theme of care, attention, and support provided by MSU advisors to students navigating their college experience.

This year’s event was led by Dr. Qiana Green, director of Leadership and Professional Development Initiatives in University Advising, and Katie Peterson, educational developer for Academic Advising in the MSU Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Opening remarks from MSU leadership included President Guskiewicz’s video as well as in-person words from Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent, and Assistant Dean for University Advising Ebony Green.

During the ceremony, four awards were presented to honored recipients:

Heather Wilson, College of Natural Science – Rising Star in Academic Advising.

This award recognizes a new academic advisor who has demonstrated exceptional promise, dedication, and impact in their early career, and celebrates an advisor who is making significant contributions to student success, exemplifies strong advising practices, and shows great potential for future leadership and growth in the field of academic advising.

Lindsay Snyder, James Madison College – Sustained Excellence in Academic Advising.

This award recognizes exceptional academic or career advisors who have demonstrated a long-term commitment (5 years or more) to supporting students, mentees, or professionals, guiding them through significant milestones in their development.

Erica Weeks, College of Engineering, and Krystal Owens, College of Nursing – Excellence in Community Building.

This award recognizes individual leaders who have made outstanding contributions to creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive advising community. This award honors those who foster a sense of belonging, connection, and shared purpose among advisors, faculty, staff, and students.

The Institute of Agricultural Technology Program coordinators (Matthew Bernia, Jeno Rivera, Justin Kunkle, Constance Schwass, Angela King, Brian Gardner, Lance Fowler, Katelyn Kelley, Thomas Green, Kristen Brown, Cristin Hosmer, and Tyler Sisson) – Collaborative Excellence in Advising.

This award recognizes outstanding collaboration and mutual success between teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and results in a partnership. This award celebrates the power of effective teamwork and sustainable partnerships that lead to significant, positive impact in the advising community at MSU.

Find below a carousel of photos from the Awards Ceremony including each recipient with a description of their award. You can also view the entire photo album.

Interested in more details about this annual event? Information for next year’s awards will be shared fall 2025!

Award recipients hold their certificates while stand smiling together, along with Mark Largent and Ebony Green. — Award recipients hold their certificates along with Mark Largent, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate education, and Ebony Green, assistant dean of University Advising.

Dr. Qiana Green, wearing a pink and gold dress with light blue glasses, holds program documents while standing at the podium beside Katie Peterson who is wearing a belted dark green dress and speaking into a hand-held microphone. — Dr. Qiana Green stands at the podium beside Katie Peterson, speaking to the attendees of the Awards Ceremony.

Heather Wilson, wearing a brown blazer over a red patterned dress shirt and holding a glass award plaque, stands smiling beside Mark Largent who is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and green tie. — **Heather Wilson**, pictured above with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent, received the Rising Star in Academic Advising Award, which recognizes a new academic advisor who has demonstrated exceptional promise, dedication, and impact in their early career (less than 5 years).

Lindsay Snyder, wearing a grey plaid blazer over a black shirt and holding a glass award plaque, stands beside Mark Largent who is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and green tie. — **Lindsay Snyder**, pictured above with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent, received the Sustained Excellence in Academic Advising Award, recognizing an academic advisor who has demonstrated a long-term commitment (5 years or more) to supporting students, mentees, or professionals, guiding them through significant milestones in their development.

Erica Weeks, wearing a green MSU branded polo tucked into dark belted pants and holding a glass award plaque, stands smiling beside Mark Largent who is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and green tie. — **Erica Weeks**, pictured above with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent, received the Excellence in Community Building Award, recognizing individual leaders who have made outstanding contributions to creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive advising community.

Krystal Owens, wearing a pale pink cardigan over a white dress shirt and holding a glass award plaque, stands smiling beside Mark Largent who is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and green tie. — **Krystal Owens**, pictured above with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent, received the Excellence in Community Building Award, recognizing individual leaders who have made outstanding contributions to creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive advising community

Representatives from the Institute of Agricultural Technology Program coordinators stand shoulder to shoulder, each holding their award certificate, with Mark Largent who is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and green tie. — The Institute of Agricultural Technology Program coordinators (Matthew Bernia, Jeno Rivera, Justin Kunkle, Constance Schwass, Angela King, Brian Gardner, Lance Fowler, Katelyn Kelley, Thomas Green, Kristen Brown, Cristin Hosmer, and Tyler Sisson) received the Collaborative Excellence in Advising Award, recognizing outstanding collaboration and mutual success between teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and results in a partnership. Five of the coordinators are pictured above with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Mark Largent.