Emilie Wise with Kyle Ross, executive director of NACADA, and Teri Farr, president of NACADA.

Two University of Tennessee academic advisors won awards during NACADA’s 2023 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida October 4-7. Emilie Wise, coordinator for academic advising in the College of Arts & Sciences, was a winner of the NACADA Outstanding Advising Award in the primary advising category, and Lisa Byrd, associate director of advising for the Tickle College of Engineering, won the Outstanding Advising Award in the administrator category. 

Each college or university is only allowed to submit one person per category, and those individuals must meet specific eligibility requirements as well as be evaluated and scored on a set of criteria set by the NACADA. Academic advising at UT serves to develop and enrich students’ educational plans in ways consistent with their aspirations, interests, strengths, and values—preparing them for a life of learning in a diverse and global society. In addition, TennACADA, UT’s on-campus advising association, works with individuals to submit for these awards. 

Lisa Byrd

“Emilie and Lisa’s dedication to academic advising at UT are reflections of our commitment to academic excellence and supporting our undergraduate scholars in achieving success in the classroom,” Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success, said. “I am proud they have been recognized for their excellent contributions as true ambassadors of the Volunteer spirit.” 

The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) was chartered in 1979 and had over 10,000 members representing all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and several other countries. The goals of the NACADA program include recognizing outstanding advising throughout higher education, offering a global advising rewards system, encouraging broader support of advising personnel and programs, and ultimately improving reporting services for students.