June 4, 2021

NACADA, an international association of professional advisors, counselors, faculty, administrators, and students working to enhance the educational development of students, recognized Woodruff School academic advisor Laura Tolliver with the Outstanding Advising Award - Primary Advising Role.

The award is bestowed in recognition of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic advisor or faculty advisor including strong interpersonal skills, availability to advisees, faculty or staff, evidence of student success rate, by advisor or department, participation in and support of advisor development programs and monitoring of student progress toward academic and career goals.

Laura, who has been an advisor in the Woodruff School since 2016, was nominated for her ability to consistently produce high quality results and diligent work to create personal and impactful relationships with her students.  

Laura truly embraces the Appreciative Advising model and uses this as the basis for her approach to academic advising,” said Kristi Mehaffey, senior academic professional and undergraduate academic advisor in the Woodruff School’s Department of Student Services. “She pushes students to seek out resources when necessary and encourages them to live up to their full potential. This includes conversations about everything from healthy eating and sleeping habits, work-life balance, to future goals of the students. Additionally, Laura isn’t satisfied with the status-quo and is constantly asking questions about how we can improve our advising processes and procedures. She learns quickly and is never afraid of tackling something new or difficult in order to help our students.

Established in 1983, the NACADA Global Awards Program for Academic Advising honors individuals and institutions making significant impact on academic advising. NACADA is a representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education.

NACADA has grown to over 14,000 members around the globe and hosts an Annual Conference, 10 Regional Conferences, an International Conference, and undertakes intensive study of advising through various other events held throughout the year. NACADA publishes the NACADA Journal, Academic Advising Today and other special publications. NACADA offers online training, manages an Academic Advising Consultants and Speakers Service, offers members leadership opportunities in running the member-drive organization, funds research grants, and supports Advising Communities to address important issues. Most of all, NACADA provides a network and professional identity for the thousands of faculty, full-time advisors, and administrators whose responsibilities include academic advising.