Outstanding adviser
UD's Sutherland wins national academic advising award
10:07 a.m., May 14, 2015--Jamie Sutherland, assistant professor of mathematical sciences at the University of Delaware, has been honored as an outstanding adviser by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).
Sutherland, who began his career at UD in 2008, is the curricular adviser for the Department of Mathematical Sciences. In addition to teaching three courses each semester, he provides support as the assigned adviser to his 200-plus advisees in the department.
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His goals in advising students are to help them understand the value of a degree in mathematics and to talk about career options, double majors and minors, and to advise those who are on probation and/or considering changes of major.
Nina Buchanan, assistant dean of student services in the College of Arts and Sciences who works with Sutherland in the college and through the New Student Orientation (NSO) program, nominated him for the award. Sutherland has been an NSO faculty mentor for the past two years.
“Each day, every interaction he has with students positively impacts our campus,” Buchanan said. “His passion, kindness and genuine approach to helping others shows students and colleagues alike that they are cared for in this community.
“Dr. Sutherland is not only an excellent adviser and mentor, but a true champion of and advocate for academic advising.”
Sutherland won the award in the Faculty Academic Advising category, which recognizes individuals whose primary responsibility is teaching and who spend a portion of their time providing academic advising services to students. He described himself as “overwhelmed” at receiving the honor and said he finds advising students to be rewarding.
“It is especially gratifying when I've advised a student through a rough academic period and they've worked through the difficulties and met their goals,” he said. “I give full credit to the student for doing what needed to be done, and I hope I've made their journey a little less burdensome by being there to encourage them along.”
About NACADA
Established in 1983, NACADA represents and advocates for academic advising and those who providing that service in higher education.
The association’s annual awards program honors individuals and institutions that make significant contributions to improving academic advising. The awards are presented at NACADA’s annual conference.
Before selecting Sutherland for the national award, the association honored him with its regional Outstanding Advising Award.
Article by Ashley Heller