Announcing the 2023 SBS Outstanding Advising Award Winners

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The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Outstanding Advising Award. Instituted in 2021 to recognize outstanding contributions to the SBS advising program and student success, the award includes a $1,000 prize and a plaque. The 2023 awardees are:

• Ruth Glickman DeLisle, senior academic advisor, Department of Resource Economics
• Aaron Hoholik and Marianne Neal-Joyce, senior academic advisors, Department of Communication

Colleagues and students of Ruth Glickman DeLisle nominated her in recognition of her exceptional work as an academic advisor and beyond. After staffing changes left the advising team short-staffed, DeLisle stepped up to the plate, taking on various roles and responsibilities required to meet the department's needs. Her colleagues describe her as flexible and supportive, always willing to share her knowledge and experience with those around her.

Despite handling new responsibilities, DeLisle remained committed to her top priority: ensuring students have a positive and productive experience while in the Department of Resource Economics. She is known for her ability to create one-on-one connections with students, helping them navigate their time at the University and beyond. One student notes, "On behalf of all the students she helps, we are very thankful for her help and hard work, and it does not go unnoticed." DeLisle's outstanding work as an advisor has positively impacted countless students, and she truly deserves this award.

Aaron Hoholik and Marianne Neal-Joyce are incredible advisors, providing outstanding advising and support to over 1,000 undergraduate communication majors. However, their journey to this year's award has not been easy. In early 2023, they suffered the tragic loss of their colleague and fellow advisor, Nicola Mare Usher.

Despite the challenge, Hoholik and Neal-Joyce outlined a plan to communicate the loss of Usher to students and handle advising tasks with a smaller staff. They continued to be a steady, caring, and responsive team, providing support to students. Their patience, expertise, and commitment to student well-being have been instrumental in helping students navigate their time at UMass. The peer advisors of the Department of Communication note, "Aaron and Marianne make it their number one priority to make sure every student is attended to in the way that they need, and we cannot express enough gratitude to them for that."

In recognition of the loss of Nicola Mare Usher, a beloved Department of Communication advising team member, SBS has renamed our annual advising award the "Nicola Mare Usher SBS Outstanding Advising Award." We hope this helps to keep her memory alive within the College for years to come.

SBS recognizes the outstanding work of these three advisors. The Nicola Mare Usher SBS Outstanding Advising Award is presented annually to advisors nominated by their colleagues and students. Please visit the SBS website for the complete nomination requirements and a list of all past winners.