The first Roo Advising Awards recognized dedicated service as well as career milestones.
“We wanted the team to know that we recognize the sheer amount of work that advisors do,” Pam Asher, MAP manager says. “It was important to show that we understand and that we value them.”
Tammy Welchert, Ph.D., director of academic advising, and Kristi Holsinger, Ph.D., senior vice president for student success, hosted the awards.
“Roo Advising is comprised of advisors with years of experience and advisors new to advising,” Welchert said. “Together, we have created a department that is positively impacting the lives of our students and UMKC. We have seen an increase in retention and graduation rates, due to the exceptional advising you deliver.”
She noted the critical contribution that mentoring provides.
“Information is shared, behaviors are learned, examples are set, and expectations are clarified. Mentors are critical to our practice and continue to move us forward in our goal to deliver an exceptional advising experience.”
The committee presented the following awards:
Roo Advising Outstanding Advising Mentor
Poppy Di Candeloro, Arts & Cultural Studies/Exploratory and Flex Maps
Bridget Jones, Business & Management MAP
Chainy Folsom, Human Behavior, Education and Justice MAP
Jennifer Lyles, Natural & Health Sciences MAP
Bethany Jordan, Numbers, Engineering, Technology & the Cosmos MAP
Excellence in Advising (New Advisor) Award
Krystal Brier, Business & Management MAP
Excellence in Advising for Advisor I & II
Jennie Scott, Numbers, Engineering, Technology and the Cosmos MAP
Excellence in Advising for Senior Advisor I & II Award
Erin Gauer, Numbers, Engineering, Technology and the Cosmos MAP
Each MAP team in Roo Advising was asked to select an individual or department they felt has provided exceptional support to their MAP for the last academic year.
2023 Partnering in Exceptionalism Awards
Arts & Cultural Studies/Exploratory/FLEX MAP
Susi Krulewich, director of the PAL Program.
Business-Management MAP
Nancy Wilkinson, Student Services director for the Henry W. Bloch School of Management.
Human Behavior, Education & Justice MAP
Dr. Kym Bennett, undergraduate director psychology
Numbers, Engineering, Technology, and the Cosmos MAP
Amy Carlson, senior associate registrar
Natural Health Sciences MAP
Casey Bauer, director of Student Services for the School of Nursing and Health Studies
Partnering in Exceptionalism
Awarded from the office support staff to recognize exceptional service to students, faculty and staff
The Scofield Hall cleaning crew, Jessica Rasha, Tyrone Duckworth and Almaz Wassie
Partnering in Exceptionalism
Awarded by Dr. Welchert
Office of the Registrar
Arts & Cultural Studies Students’ Choice Award
Nick Gillock
Business and Management Students’ Choice Award
Krystal Brier
Exploratory/FLEX Students’ Choice Award
Austin Carter
Human Behavior, Education, & Justice Students’ Choice Award
Nick Chappell
Numbers, Engineering, Technology & the Cosmos MAP Students’ Choice Award
Bethany Jordan
Natural & Health Sciences MAP Students’ Choice Award
Zac Burns
Everyone involved in a MAP team received a “Dundie Award,” inspired by the television show, “The Office,” highlighting their outstanding qualities. MAP managers, Academic Advising support staff, graduate assistants and student employees were individually recognized for their outstanding, and sometimes humorous, qualities.
In conclusion, Welchert encouraged attendees to be thinking about nominees for next year's awards, as this was the first ceremony, but not the last.
“As we journey together in the next year, be thinking about this time of celebration and different members of Roo Advising and UMKC who make a difference in your life and in the lives of our students.”