Humanities Staff Spotlight:

Humanities Advisors Recognized

The Academic Advising Association of Ohio State (ACADAOS), the professional organization for academic advisors, recently announced the 2008 Outstanding Advisor Awards for undergraduate advising. Half of the six honorees hail from the College of Humanities, a testament to the level of dedication found among our staff members.

Nominated humanities advisors were Emily Carpenter, Humanities Scholars; Rachel Sanabria, Department of Spanish and Portuguese; and Sharyn Talbert, Department of English. Sanabria took further honors as a recipient of an Outstanding Advisor award. All were recognized at the annual ACADAOS Awards Luncheon and year-end meeting on May 21, where Vice Provost for Enrollment Services and Dean for Undergraduate Education Martha Garland presented a plaque and a $500 honorarium to each award winner. The award is jointly sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs.

Sanabria is credited as "helping students set or figure out long-term plans for after graduation, advising them on jobs, graduate school, or even life if it's needed." She is described as being invaluable in terms of her insight into the departments programs, the development of new courses, and curricular reforms. On a day-to-day basis, Sanabria works with over 800 Spanish and Portuguese undergraduate majors, minors, and honors majors, as well as 50 faculty and staff.

As one nominator put it "she is the heart of our advising team – the motor that keeps it running smoothly at high speed, generating new initiatives, guiding students in career decisions, and advising us all in how we can work together to achieve these goals." This consummate professional is praised by colleagues and students alike for her dedication, superb interpersonal skills, and high academic and professional standards.

Nominators for Carpenter have witnessed firsthand the enrichment she brings to her students' lives, both academically and otherwise. She is always available to her students and coordinates and maintains numerous co-curricular programs to enrich the classroom experience.

"She makes it her personal mission to see to it that each of her advisees succeeds socially and academically from the moment she meets them at orientation until she registers them to graduate," said one student.

Talbert advises a large number of students on everything from how to declare an English major, to choosing GEC and major courses, to applying to graduate. "There is rarely a question about the department or the university as a whole to which she does not know the answer," wrote one nominator.

She is also credited with taking special care in advising students who may be at risk of leaving the university, offering creative ways to overcome financial, emotional, and academic difficulties. Her welcoming demeanor, accessibility, and confidentiality, allow her to successfully help others.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding advisors.