2024 DAA Winner
Melissa Fenn, M.Ed. was awarded the inaugural Distinguished Advising Award in 2024. A senior advisor II in Kent State University’s College of Nursing, Fenn has been described by students as someone with a heart of gold, a source of comfort and “the best of the best.”
DAA Runner-Up
Laura Caparanis, Senior Advisor II (College of The Arts) finished as the runner-up for the 2024 Distinguished Advising Award. Laura assists students with achieving academic goals, scheduling courses, and questions regarding curriculum, academic progress, graduation requirements, and Kent State’s academic policies and procedures.
Kent State University's Distinguished Advising Award
Sponsored by University Advising and Kent Academic Advising Support and Advising Association (KASADA), the Distinguished Advising Award is the university’s most prestigious honor in advising. 2024 was the inaugural year for the award.
Academic advisors across all colleges and campuses were nominated by fellow colleagues, other staff members, and students who believe they provided extraordinary advising and showed exemplary dedication in the work that they do and how it impacts the lives of their students. Qualified nominees included Kent State advisors who were currently employed and who have been an advisor for at least one year.
A Distinguished Advisor is one who fosters an inclusive and empowering advising relationship that models NACADA's Core Values and Kent State University's Advising Guiding Principles.
To be eligible for nomination, an advisor must:
- Be an academic advisor at Kent State University for at least one year
- Model the NACADA Core Values for academic advisors and Kent State University's Advising Guiding Principles
- Show proven initiative and/or leadership within their advising units
Presented by University Advising and KASADA (Kent Academic Advising Support and Advising Association)
Voting Has Closed. Voting for 2025 Will Open Soon.