Sponsored by Academic Programs in the Office of the Provost, USC’s Outstanding Academic Advisor Awards recognize the critical role played by advisors in the areas of retention and graduation, and in furthering the University’s mission. Two outstanding academic advisors are selected each year to receive awards of $1500 each; one award will be given to a new advisor (who has advised for five or fewer years) and one award will be given to an experienced advisor (who has advised for more than five years).

Eligibility

Award recipients must be academic advisors of undergraduate and/or graduate students, or advising administrators employed as full-time staff at USC. The nominee’s primary job responsibility should be academic advising. Faculty, Lecturers, and Course Instructors are *not* eligible for this award.

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or other members of the Trojan Family.

Criteria

Using the rubrics for New Advisors and Experienced Advisors, the Selection Committee will consider evidence of mentoring, advocacy, and outstanding service to students in the following areas:

Providing information

  • Availability to advisees, faculty, or staff
  • Consistent use of Advise USC (for units onboarded into the system)
  • Mastery of regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals
  • Proactive use and dissemination of information resources

Counseling and advocacy

  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Caring, helpful attitude
  • Cultivation of rapport and relationships with advisees
  • Assists students in setting goals
  • Engages in student advocacy

Mentoring

  • Conveys a passion for education and learning
  • Helps students link to appropriate faculty and find relevant courses
  • Encourages students to pursue scholarships and fellowships
  • Helps students integrate their undergraduate/graduate education, curriculum, and experiences into their overall personal and professional journey

Connecting to the campus community

  • Collaboration with other colleagues and departments
  • Involved in programs and events outside home department
  • Assists students in creating meaningful connections to the school, their peers, and faculty

Timeline

  • All nomination materials are due 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024.
  • Winners will be announced at the CAA End-of-Year Social in early June, 2024.

Nomination

The nomination form requires USC Shibboleth verification.

Past Winners