Two University of Georgia academic advisors from the College of Education have received a 2018 Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advising Award. Samantha Pattillo, recipient in the professional advisor category, and Lindsay Dickerson, recipient in the new staff advisor category, were nominated by their supervisor and selected by a team of 10 students from the various colleges on campus who reviewed the nominations and selected the two advisors for the award.
Samantha Pattillo began as an advisor over three years ago in the biochemistry department of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and then moved to her current position in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Samantha is the primary point of contact for students applying to the CMSD major, which is highly competitive and requires an application. She also spends time working with two student organizations related to the CMSD major—the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the COE Student Ambassadors. Samantha has a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Georgia Gwinnett College and a master’s degree in professional counseling from the University of Georgia.
“When [students are] faced with a denial of their application to the major or pressure about applying to graduate school, Samantha spends the time to offer options for consideration, and her calm delivery minimizes the stress of that deliberation,” said Julia Butler-Mayes, director of student services for the College of Education. “She prepares her students for their end goal, applying to their graduate program, going above and beyond what is typically required to guide someone through an undergraduate degree.”
As some of her students put it:
- Mrs. Patillo has continually proved herself to be not only an outstanding advisor, but an ally and an advocate for students as they navigate their academic careers.
- Mrs. Patillo actively listens and provides guidance beyond what I feel is required of her. She is someone who goes above and beyond to ensure that students feel their needs are being met and that their concerns are being addressed.
- She understands that her job has two parts: academic advising and student investment. She was ready and willing to invest in me not only as a student, but also as a person.
From linking students with graduate program and other kinds of contacts to simply caring about her students’ lives and asking them how their days are going, Samantha goes “the extra mile” to help her students and ensure that they have the information and resources they need to excel in their undergraduate studies.
Recipient of the Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award in the new staff category is Lindsay Dickerson, in the Social Studies, Middle Grades and Special Education departments. Lindsay has been an advisor for a year-and-a-half and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from the University of Georgia.
“Lindsay was hired in fall 2016, and in her relatively short tenure as part of our staff, she has made an immeasurable impact on her students, our office, and the entire College of Education. Her passion for her role leads her to constantly seek opportunities to learn more about how to improve her services through professional development. It is impressive to observe the effects of her compassionate advising on her students, but perhaps more impressive is her natural exuberance and ability to find joy in all situations,” Butler-Mayes said.
One transfer student said of her advisor, “This past semester has been a learning experience, and I could not have made it without her! From the first meeting with Mrs. Dickerson, she has pointed me in the right direction with positive support, options and motivation.”
Other students wrote:
- Lindsay has played a pivotal role in my success as a student in the College of Education. Not only has she provided academic advisement and assistance in knowing what the best classes are to take, she has also become a companion and a role model. Lindsay is always intentional about asking how life is going outside of academics.
- Not only is she an excellent academic advisor, she is a mentor, a shoulder to lean on, and a person who truly cares about her students inside and out of the office. Academic Advisor may be her title, but Life Changer is more fitting.
The awards are presented each spring to staff members for excellence in advising undergraduate students on class selection and course of study, assisting them with academic problems, and providing guidance on related matters such as decisions about graduate school and careers. The Office of the Vice President for Instruction administers the award each year. Patillo and Dickerson will be recognized at the spring AACC meeting and at the fall AACC luncheon. As Outstanding Academic Advisors, their names and recommendations have been forwarded to the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) for consideration for a national advising award.