Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates Campaign

The Divisions of Academic and Student Affairs are pleased to announce the 'Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates Campaign' to recognize university students, faculty, administrators, and/or support staffs who have been outstanding in their collective efforts to develop and successfully implement initiatives to improve the educational experiences of undergraduate first-year students.

We invite you to submit a nomination for the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award. We are particularly interested in campus-wide collaborative initiatives in which individuals have served as activists, intercessors, and/or supporters of first-year students, and are passionate about the success of such students.

The recipient of this year’s award will be honored at a recognition ceremony during The Freshman Convocation, in September. Additionally, a book collection on the first-year experience will be purchased, plated in recognition of the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate, and placed in the reference collection at the Academic Advising Center for those who are interested in learning more about college teaching, learning, and student development.

Past Recipient(s)
2005-2006– The College Now Program

Award Nomination process
To nominate someone for this award write a supporting narrative (not to exceed 3 pages) that:
a. describes the collaborative and/or individual efforts to develop and successfully implement initiatives to improve the educational experiences of undergraduate first-year students.
b. provides evidence of the impact of such efforts on first-year students; and
c. provides evidence of the impact of such efforts on the culture of the University.
If you choose, you may attach supporting letters of nomination from colleagues or students and provide other sample and supporting materials.

THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS FOR 2006-2007 CAMPAIGN IS MAY 19, 2006.

A committee of student leaders, faculty, and administrators will make the Selection of Outstanding First-Year Advocates. The review process will begin immediately after the deadline date. Award recipients and all other nominees will be notified by mail after June 15, 2006 for the 2006-2007 campaign.

Send Nominations to:
Celebrating First-Year Student Advocates
Dr. Norman L. Barber, Director
Residential Educational Programs and Assessment

Questions:
Call Norm Barber at x8898 or nbarber@umassd.edu