CEAT academic advisors recognized at the NACADA Annual conference
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.edu
Two academic advisors from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology have been recognized as 2023 award recipients for NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. They will be formally honored at a banquet at the annual conference in October 2023.
Sarah Ayres, assistant director of CEAT Student Academic Services, was awarded the Outstanding Advising Award – Administrator.
Kristal Soderstrom Junkens, senior academic advisor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was awarded the Certificate of Merit in the Outstanding Advising Award – Primary Advising Role category.
“I am very honored to have received Certificate of Merit. Knowing that the Primary Advisor Award category is one of the largest, second place is wonderful," Soderstrom Junkens said. "Having others recognize my work as an academic advisor is validating and affirms to me that I am an effective advisor and that my dedication to my students is visible and impactful. I have been involved in NACADA for many years, most recently serving as the Region 7 Chair (2021-2023) and I am glad to know that I have remained a positive influence on my students and to my peers.”
Ayres said to be honored for her day-to-day work by the global advising organization was exciting.
"I am grateful to those who nominated me and to those I work with every day that help me be a better administrator," Ayres said. "It is personally gratifying to have my accomplishments recognized by such a prestigious outside source.”
Both Ayres and Soderstrom Junkens play pivotal roles in CEAT’s student academic services, and have an immense impact on both students and their peers.
“Sarah and Kristal are both skilled advisors whose primary focus is on the needs of CEAT students,” said Lance Millis, director of CEAT Student Academic Services. “They are both highly involved in NACADA, which benefits our students because they keep their skills current and utilize the latest advising strategies. Sarah is also a terrific administrator, providing leadership to both the Student Services office and the college as a whole. We’re lucky to have both of them!”
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 undertake 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.
NACADA also provides a network and professional identity for the thousands of faculty, full-time advisors and administrators whose responsibilities include academic advising.