Criteria for ACAA Awards

Criteria for ACAA Awards

The award criteria were updated by the 2025-2026 ACAA Awards and Advisor Recognition Committee. Changes were approved by the 2025-2026 ACAA Executive Committee. 

Outstanding Established Professional Advisor: 

  • This award is open to individual academic advisors who have served for at least five (5) years at any higher education institution.
  • Outstanding advisors ensure that all students feel welcome and respected. They are sensitive to the diversity of values and beliefs on our campus. They connect well interpersonally and cross-culturally. They care about each student’s well-being. 
  • Outstanding advisors inform students how best to proceed toward earning their degrees. They clearly explain policies and procedures. They provide timely answers to questions. They identify obstacles, solve problems, and advocate for students. 
  • Outstanding advisors encourage students to succeed in the classroom and beyond. They push students to think critically about their educational experiences. They connect students with opportunities for continued personal growth. 

Outstanding Early Professional Advisor: 

  • This award is open to any individual serving as an academic advisor for five (5) or fewer years at any higher education institution. 
  • Outstanding advisors ensure that all students feel welcome and respected. They are sensitive to the diversity of values and beliefs on our campus. They connect well interpersonally and cross-culturally. They care about each student’s well-being. 
  • Outstanding advisors inform students how best to proceed toward earning their degrees. They clearly explain policies and procedures. They provide timely answers to questions. They identify obstacles, solve problems, and advocate for students. 
  • Outstanding advisors encourage students to succeed in the classroom and beyond. They push students to think critically about their educational experiences. They connect students with opportunities for continued personal growth. 

Distinguished Service to Advising at UO 

  • This award is open to any individual serving as an academic advisor or advising administrator at UO. 
  • The recipient of this award should meet one or more of the following criteria: 
    • Distinguished advisors and advising administrators are committed to advising students year after year, consistently dedicating their time to support student success. They demonstrate an outstanding record of excellence in their work and an enduring passion for higher education. 
    • Distinguished advisors and advising administrators champion new initiatives that promote student success. 
    • Distinguished advisors and advising administrators strengthen the UO advising community by fostering improved communication, collaboration, collegiality, and data-sharing across campus departments. 
    • Note: Nominations for this award will come from leadership of the different colleges, divisions, and programs at UO.