Region 2 Excellence
in Advising – Advising Administrator
Winner – Leanne White, Old Dominion University
Winner – Leanne White, Old Dominion University
Certificates of Merit – Jarrett J. Kealey, Rowan College at
Burlington County
Nicholas R Garcia, Virginia Commonwealth
University
Region 2 Excellence
in Advising - Faculty Advisor
Winner – Melinda Knight, Montclair State University
Certificate of Merit – Elena Olson, Virginia Commonwealth
University
Region 2 Excellence
in Advising - New Advisor
Winner – Matthew Armes, University of Pennsylvania
Certificate of Merit – Alicia Shah, Rutgers University
Lenora Thorbjornsen, Old Dominion University
Lenora Thorbjornsen, Old Dominion University
Region 2 Excellence
in Advising - Advisor Primary Role
Winner – Lori A Block, Rowan University
Certificate of Merit – Gavin Farber, Temple University
Certificate of Merit – Gavin Farber, Temple University
Brianne
Morrison, Virginia Commonwealth University
Nicole
L. Young, University of Delaware
Service to Region 2
Award
Winner – Susan Fread, Lehigh Carbon Community College
Region 2 Webinar
Scholarship
Erin McSherry, George Mason University
Andrew Millin, Mercer County Community College
Georgeanna Spagnolo, Wesley College
Gavin Farber, Temple University
Region 2 Research Seminar Scholarship
Gavin Farber, Temple University
Region 2 Research Seminar Scholarship
Quentin Alexander, Longwood University
Region 2 Conference
Graduate Student Scholarship
Maureen Dillon, West Chester University
Ashley Rininger, James Madison University
Desiree Saraceno, Rowan University
Chelsey Vest, Wesley College
Chelsey Vest, Wesley College
Taylor Webster, Messiah College
Region 2 Excellence in Advising - Advising Administrator
Old Dominion University
Leanne White is the Director of Advising for the College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, and an adjunct professor for the Department of History. Leanne oversees the advising for all first and second year students who are seeking admission into competitive health sciences majors such as nursing. In addition to running the Health Sciences Advising Center, she directs student success initiatives for the college, facilitates training for Health Sciences faculty advisors in advising policy and best practices, assists faculty advisors in navigating University systems and procedures, and coordinates the transition of advising services for declared majors from the Advising Center to faculty advisors. Previously, Leanne worked as an advisor and Assistant Director of Advising for the College of Sciences at ODU, where she advised biology and pre-health students, coordinated transfer student and study abroad advising, and directed math and chemistry tutoring services. Leanne is a proud ODU Alum and graduated with a BA in Communication in 2002 and a Masters in History in 2007, where she studied US Cold War foreign policy and propaganda. A graduate school assistantship led her into the world of advising and she’s never left. Leanne enjoys teaching students how to become independent learners who take responsibility for their own success.
Certificate of Merit - Advising Administrator
Jarrett J. Kealey
Rowan College at Burlington County
Jarrett Kealey is the Director of Advising & Retention at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) where he collaborates across the institution to ensure the delivery of comprehensive advising services leading to student success. Jarrett has experience across multiple functional areas within 2-year and 4-year institutions. He is currently overseeing the implementation of advising learning communities, developing a multi-year retention plan, and partnering to change the culture of academic advising. He holds a B.A. in History from Marymount University, a M.Ed. from Ohio University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education Leadership from Frostburg University.
Certificate of Merit - Advising Administrator
Mr. Nicholas R Garcia
Virginia Commonwealth University
I started my advising career accidentally, I was completing my Master of Public Administration Degree and was offered a part-time position as an undergraduate academic advisor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. My Public Administration studies focused on balancing the economic principles of efficiency and effectiveness, and equity and equality in bureaucracy. I didn't immediately see a connection between my job and my studies, however, after a few semesters of advising, I quickly recognized how those principles of efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and equality cross over into the advising world. Through the mentorship that I've received from the Wilder School and VCU faculty has allowed me to actualize myself as an academic practitioner. Currently, I am continuing my studies by pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership investigating the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and public policy on college campuses. As my career in Academic Advising has evolved, my studies have helped inform my advising philosophy, my leadership perspective, and my interactions with students, allowing me to continually improve upon myself, and better provide for the constituents that I serve.
Region 2 Excellence in Advising - Faculty Advisor
Montclair State University
Melinda Knight joined Montclair State University in 2008 as Professor of English and the founding director of the Center for Writing Excellence, which was recently awarded the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s writing program certificate of excellence. Previously, she directed programs at the George Washington University, the University of Rochester, and New York University. Since 2010 she has served as editor of Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. She earned a PhD in American Civilization from NYU and a BA in Spanish and American Literature from Cornell University. Her philosophy of advising is based on three fundamental beliefs about how best to help students at all levels: accessibility, accuracy, and empathy. She believes advisors must be accessible, and that means using every means possible (phone, SKYPE, email), and accurate—double-checking all information so that it is correct and timely. Finally, it is important to be empathetic, to listen to students and their concerns, helping them solve problems and encouraging them to make the most of their education.
Certificate of Merit - Faculty Advisor
Elena Olson
Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Elena Olson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University. She serves as the faculty advisor for the post-baccalaureate certificate program in information systems, and the faculty advisor for the VCU IS student organization, Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP). In these roles, she provides guidance, advice and mentorship to professionals from diverse backgrounds, from fashion merchandise to chemistry, who are interested in pursuing a career in information technology. Elena provides one-on-one consultations to ensure these bright students realize their full potential in the VCU IS program and in their careers.
Dr. Olson earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Kansas, USA, and M.Sc. in Electronics Engineering from Belorussian State Polytechnic University, Belarus. Her current research focuses on Information Systems model curriculum, Student Active Learning in Online Environment, and Creativity and Mindfulness in the IS environment. Elena has previously worked as a Visiting Professor at the Industrial University of Santander, Colombia, and as a Department Head of the School of Computer Information Systems at Stratford University, USA.
Region 2 Excellence in Advising - New Advisor
University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Armes, MS, NCC, NCSC, works at the University of Pennsylvania's College Achievement Program (PENNCAP) as an Academic Counselor. He provides academic, career, social and emotional support for FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income) students from all over the country and the world during their undergraduate studies at Penn. Originally from Erie, PA, Matt spent five years working as a high school counselor at Martinsburg High School in Berkeley County, WV. His previous work experience also includes Penn Foster College & Career School and ESPN. Matthew received a Bachelor's degree in English from Messiah College and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and Education from Marywood University. He is also a National Board Certified Counselor. He is currently pursuing state licensure to become an LPC through a counseling practice in Philadelphia. In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, eating, writing, reading, watching sports, traveling, playing basketball and running.
Certificate of Merit - New Advisor
Alicia Shah
Rutgers University
Alicia Shah is the Transfer Student Counselor for Rutgers School of Engineering. While Alicia primarily advises prospective, incoming, and enrolled transfer students, she will gladly assist any of the 3,900+ undergraduate engineering students who visit the Office of Academic Services. Having transferred into Rutgers, Alicia understands firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities for the transfer student population. In addition to advisement, she also oversees the Transfer Integration Mentorship program, which pairs former transfer students succeeding at the School of Engineering with incoming transfer students to foster a sense of community and support within a large university. Alicia enjoys working with motivated students who seize the opportunity to further their education while immersing themselves in the activities and opportunities offered on the “Banks of the Old Raritan.” Alicia earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from Rutgers University and her M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University.
Certificate of Merit - New Advisor
Lenora Thorbjornsen
Old Dominion University
Lenora Thorbjornsen graduated from Old Dominion University with degrees in Human Services (B.S. 2012) and Counseling, with a concentration in College Counseling (M.S.Ed 2014). Lenora has worked in academic advising and student affairs through positions with both Old Dominion University (ODU) and Tidewater Community College (TCC). She currently works at ODU as the Coordinator of First Year Success with the Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships and as the Professional Advisor for the Interdisciplinary Studies Cyber-Programs.
Region 2 Excellence in Advising - Advisor Primary Role
Rowan University
Lori Block PHR MPA entered higher education as a human resource professional with a vast amount of experience in employer relations and recruitment almost twenty-six years ago. Her personal academic advising philosophy is; “I am a true believer in Appreciative Advising. I not only aspire to be a good advisor, I want to be a GREAT advisor!!” Currently, Block is an embedded advisor in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising @ Rowan University where she incorporates career counseling in her academic advising, assists students with career tools, recruits organizations as intern employers, designed, recruits and maintains an internship database with over 225 active internships for her students and in 2017 assisted the department receive their Certification as an Educator in Public Relations (CEPR). Also in 2017, she was published by the Regional HR Association in their quarterly journal, The TRISTATER; “Partnering with Higher Education to Optimize Your Recruitment Efforts”.
Block is ABD in Education Leadership at Rowan University, earned her MPA with a specialization in Human Resources and Training from Kutztown University and her BS in Political Science/Pre-Law from the University of Scranton. She became a Certified Human Resource Professional (PHR) in 1993 from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and maintains that distinction to this day! Block has been honored in the “Advisor Wall of Fame” from Rowan University in 2017, 2013, 2010, 2009, and 2008 as well as the Joe Barnes Award in 2010 for “Consistent, Extraordinary and Longstanding Contributions to the University” and the “Mentor of the Year” Award in 2011.
Certificate of Merit - Advisor Primary Role
Gavin Farber
Temple University
Gavin Farber has worked in higher education for over ten years beginning as undergraduate orientation leader through to his current role as an academic advisor. Originally attending Rowan University for a career in journalism, his career aspirations shifted at the end of his sophomore after completing an internship in the central advising center. After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved into a graduate program in Higher Education at Rowan where we worked a Graduate Assistant for the Vice President for Student Affairs. He assisting administrators on special projects relating to student enrichment, parent/family programming, sophomore-year experience and leadership development. After graduating from Rowan, Gavin served as an intern at Mercer County Community College in the Office of Student Life and Leadership before his move to Temple University in November 2011. He has remained at the Fox School of Business and Management’s Center for Undergraduate Advising for the last six years. Currently a member of the Freshman/Sophomore Advising Team, Gavin assists these student populations to become acclimated to the university environment. He has developed workshops to engage students on academic planning, career development, study abroad, stress/time management and student financial services. His other specialty areas include teaching seminar courses for undeclared and exploratory business to assist in their major and career development. Gavin joined NACADA in 2012 and remained an active member on the regional and national levels.
Certificate of Merit - Advisor Primary Role
Brianne Morrison
Virginia Commonwealth University
Brianne Morrison resides in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two kids. She has worked for the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University as part of the Undergraduate Advising unit since Fall 2015; however, she has been a part of the higher education community since 2008. She has advised several student populations from traditional, non-traditional, online students and residential students who are majors in anything from the sciences to social sciences. She currently works with students interested in impacting society through public service. Her goal is to advance student success through promoting holistic student advising, be it on the individual-student level or through global/institutional initiatives.
Certificate of Merit - Advisor Primary Role
Nicole L. Young
University of Delaware
Nicole Young has served as an Academic Advisor in the University of Delaware Associate in Arts Program since March 2017. In addition to her role as an advisor she serves as an Affiliate to the Office of Student Conduct and as an Instructor for First-Year Seminar and Sophomore Seminar. She started her higher education career at West Chester University in 2008 working with students in the arts and began advising in 2013. Nicole also has a background in advising student organizations and event planning. Nicole holds a Master of Science in Organization Leadership from Cabrini College.
Service to Region 2 Award
Susan Fread
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Susan currently works at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA as the Director of First Year Experience. She previously served LCCC as the Director of Academic Advising for 15 years, and has been involved in academic advising for over 20 years. An active NACADA member since the Summer Institute in 1996, Susan has served on and chaired the Awards Committee, served on the Advisory Boards for Summer Institute, Annual Conference, and Publications, served on two Annual Conference Committees including Baltimore, co-chaired two Regional Conferences in Lancaster, hosted 4 drive-in conferences for Eastern PA, and served as a mentor in the Region 2 mentoring program.
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