Award for Excellence in Career Advising

For faculty and staff at Virginia Tech who provide career advising to undergraduates

For non-CPD faculty and staff at Virginia Tech who provide career advising to undergraduate students

About the award

  • The Award for Excellence in Career Advising was established in 1989 to recognize the value of career advising at Virginia Tech.
  • It is presented annually to an individual within Virginia Tech [and external to Career and Professional Development] who provides career advising to undergraduate students at Virginia Tech.

Nomination criteria:

  • Nominees must be faculty or staff members at Virginia Tech [and external to Career and Professional Development] who provide career advising to undergraduate students at Virginia Tech.
  • Personal characteristics such as creativity, communication skills, concern for students, and enthusiasm as they pertain to the role of career advisor.
  • The development of innovative career advising resources and outreach programs for the academic department or other undergraduate student population with whom the advisor works.
  • While these individuals might also serve as academic advisors, it is important to distinguish their career advising accomplishments.

Nomination and selection process

  • The call for nominations goes out each fall. Nominations are welcomed from students, faculty and staff. See advising.vt.edu for complete information.
  • Since 2002-2003, a $500 monetary award is given to the award recipient.

Award recipients

2018: Dr. Lisa M. Tucker | Interior Design, School of Architecture + Design
2016-2017: Dr. Jody Thompson Marshall | MAOP
2015:  Dr. Marlene Preston |  Communication
2014:  Dr. Alex Niemiera | Horticulture
2013:  Dr. Matt Eick | Crop & Soil Environmental Science
2012:  Ms. Mary Taylor | Electrical & Computer Engineering
2011:  Ms. Donna Sedgwick | Sociology
2010:  Ms. Lorraine Borny | Management
2009:  Mr. Derek Klock | Finance, Insurance, & Business Law
2008:  Ms. Mary Ellen Verdu | Human Development
2007:  Dr. Wayne Moore | Pre-law Advising
2006:  Dr. Jerry Williams | Horticulture
2005:  Dr. Rosemary Goss | Apparel, Housing, & Resource Management
2004:  Dr. Alan McDaniel | Horticulture
2003:  Ms. Vickie Mouras | Civil & Environmental Engineering
2002:  Dr. Ed Bunce | Pre-medical & pre-dental Advising
2001:  Dr. Ruth Lytton | Near Environments
2000:  Ms. Sarah Wheeler | College of Engineering
1999:  Ms. Pam Crewey | Electrical & Computer Engineering
1998:  Dr. William Eigel | Food Science & Technology
1997:  Dr. Harold Bell | Chemistry
1996: Dr. David Parrish | Crop & Soil Environmental Science
1995:  Dr. Thomas Howard | History
1994:  Dr. Leslie Graham Pendleton | Industrial & Systems Engineering
1993:  Dr. George Simmons | Biology
1992:  Ms. Virginia McWhorter | Electrical Engineering
1991:  Ms. Sandra Birch | Computer Science
1990:  Dr. Bill Beal | Animal & Poultry Sciences

Contact for questions:

Ms. Amy McPherson
Senior Associate Director
Career and Professinal Development (0128)
Smith Career Center
Virginia Tech
amy.mcpherson@vt.edu
540-231-6241