Susan McNamara, Academic Advisor

Outstanding First-Year Advocate 2008-09

...presented by the FSUS program in collaboration with the Office of Academic Affairs

The Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the academic and/or personal lives of first-year students. This award is open to faculty and staff in all areas of the University who provide outstanding contributions to and support for first-year students as well as serving as a first-year student advocate and role model.

Our award winner was nominated and selected for her tireless dedication and support for students. I would like to share with you, snippets from her nomination letter which provide examples of the outstanding work that she does for students:

• "She has a knack for getting students out of the classroom and engaging them in the vibrant life of the University. She has often been seen at events and exhibits, always carefully shepherding a group of students around."
  
  
• "She gets actively involved when students are having difficulty. For example, she literally walked one student who was having financial difficulties, over to the Timme Center to get a one-on-one appointment with a supervisor. That student was about to drop out when (our recipient) stepped in. That student is now thriving here at Ferris."
  
  
• There have been numerous other times when our recipient has taken the time to walk anxious students over to meet with their professors, to get academic assistance at the tutoring center, meet with personal or educational counselors or to get career assistance.
  
  
• In an earlier conversation with her nominator, our recipient made the following statement: "There's nowhere I'd rather be than in the trenches with these kids. Sometimes all it takes to change things – including their attitudes toward education – is just one person who gives a hoot about them. I like being that person."
  
  
• "Her students adore her. – It is her deep compassion for others that make her good at her job and such a valuable asset to Ferris State University." The 2009 recipient of the Outstanding First-Year Advocate teaches first-year seminar and University study skills courses. Not only is she an Outstanding First-Year advocate, she is also an outstanding advisor to SEVERAL University College students.
  
  

Spring 2009