UAAC Advisor Awards Committee announced that College of Fine Arts Academic Advisor Jennifer McLaurin received the 2025 UAAC Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year Award in the category of Experienced Advisor.
As an advisor, I strive to meet students where they are and help them move in a positive direction. To meet students where they are, I utilize a holistic approach to advising which considers the individual's personal, social, financial, emotional, developmental, cultural, and ethnic identities. Considering these factors helps me provide accurate and useful information about policies, procedures, resources and academic planning. -2025 UAAC Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year & CFA Academic Advisor, Jennifer McLaurin
Students, faculty, and staff submitted statements highlighting McLaurin's exceptional advising services to students, coordination of outreach activities and programs, and more:
- "Jennifer is a champion of students. One of her most notable accomplishments is how she re-envisioned the Emerging Leaders Council and turned it into an internship program where CFA students are hired to assist with Orientation and the College’s Create Success Initiative. Under Jennifer’s supervision, the Create Success interns assist incoming students with registering for classes, create messages about important deadlines and processes, and present at University-wide recruitment events."
- Associate Dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs, Liz Leckie - "I really appreciated the opportunities that Jenn sent our way when she thought it would be a good fit for us (she specifically sent me opportunities that involved teaching art since she knew that I am an Art Teaching major). It made the work feel meaningful, and (to be completely honest) since we weren’t making a ton monetarily, the fact that I felt like Jenn was helping me make connections, develop skills, and she mentioned we could use this for our resume or a recommendation, made the job feel worthwhile."
- CFA Student intern - "Jenn listens closely to others—faculty, staff, and especially students—with true interest and empathy and in anon-judgmental spirit of collaborative problem-solving."
- Associate Professor, Musicology, Catherine Mayes