The Community of Advising Excellence Award recognizes individuals who have shown qualities associated with outstanding academic advising for students in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Tenure track faculty, tenured faculty, instructors, and staff who advise undergraduate students are eligible for the Community of Advising Excellence Award; this recognition can be received multiple times, potentially leading to induction of recipients into the prestigious Academy of Advising Excellence.

Advisers who have been recognized on three (3) occasions with the Community of Advising Excellence Award (CAEA) throughout their career, will be permanently inducted into the College's Academy of Advising Excellence, with all its privileges and responsibilities, including a permanent salary increase (at present, this constitutes a 1% increase in base salary).

Nominations and awards are based on accomplishments during the past 1-2 academic years in formal undergraduate academic advising.

To demonstrate growth that portrays continuous improvement and contributions to academic advising in the College of Agricultural Sciences, previous award winners of the CAEA may not be considered for this award until 3 years since their last award.

Nomination Process

Individuals affiliated with Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences (students, staff, faculty) may nominate an adviser for this award. A nomination letter providing tangible evidence of advising excellence is required, along with completion of the online nomination form with the adviser’s name, title, and department.

The Community of Advising Excellence Award committee may request the following information as part of their review:

  1. Letter of support from the academic unit leader or direct supervisor
  2. Additional letters of support from faculty/staff and current or former students
  3. Evidence of service to students and the advising profession
  4. Evidence of participation in professional development programs related to advising
  5. Advising philosophy
  6. Number of undergraduate College of Agricultural Sciences students advised
  7. Years of service at Penn State
  8. Materials demonstrating measures of advising effectiveness

Recipients of this advising award will obtain…

  1. A personalized plaque;
  2. A one-year membership to NACADA - the National Academic Advising Association (at present, a $100 value);
  3. A one-time $500 departmental allotment in support of the recipient's advising program or to be used for professional development, or $1,000 credit toward participation in the Annual NACADA Conference (generally held in October of each year).
  4. A third-time recipient of the Community of Advising Excellence Award will be permanently inducted into the prestigious Academy of Advising Excellence, and receive a framed certificate and a permanent 1% increase in base salary.

Due Date

Friday, February 9, 2024

Questions and comments on the 2023-2024 Community of Advising Excellence Award should be submitted to:

Matt Stumpf, Office for Undergraduate Education
101 Ag Administration Bldg.
College of Agricultural Sciences
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park 16802-2602
814-865-7521
mjs63@psu.edu