Persons honored with an L&S Academic Advising award are exceptional advisors. Recipients have demonstrated exemplary performance both in terms of their positive impact on students and through distinctive contributions to their department, unit, and/or the College of Letters & Science.
2024 Recipients
EARLY CAREER

Christine Evans
Associate Director of Advising and Curriculum
L&S Honors Program
An advisor like Christine Evans can change the trajectory of someone’s college experience and career. She keeps the success of students at the forefront of her work and creates a welcoming environment for everyone with whom she interacts. .
“Christine is an incredibly supportive and dedicated advisor who sincerely cares about supporting students academically, professionally, and personally,” said Kristen Jenkins, an L&S honors student. “As a first-generation college student who has felt overwhelmed at times navigating UW, Christine continuously provides her support in academic advising sessions by actively engaging with my concerns, sharing helpful resources, and working together to devise the next steps.”
In 2022, Evans took her big idea to educate first- and second-year students about graduate school and brought it to fruition. Nearly 100 undergraduates and 10 graduate students in High Impact Practice programs engaged with graduate students, talking about a variety of graduate programs, how students are funded, and opportunities for undergraduates to build a portfolio of experiences that would make them great candidates for graduate schools. Thanks to her efforts, this event is now offered annually and spearheaded by Evans.
So when it came time to replace the associate director for advising and curriculum, Evans was at the top of the list. She “blew [the] search and screen committee away,” according to Jenny Saffran, the Mary Herman Rubinstein Professor of Psychology. Despite being far younger than other finalists, Evans exuded maturity and insight well beyond her years. Based on her excellent performance and outstanding references, it was no surprise she was promoted into the new role.
“She works beautifully at all levels: individually with students, collaboratively with her supervisors and peers, and creatively with me and the rest of our team,” said Saffran. “Christine is a wonderful advisor in every way – she’s relentlessly creative, forward thinking, and curious about new ways that we could be improving our processes and procedures, reaching students in useful and creative ways, and helping them to make sense of their Honors education and their Wisconsin Experience.”

Katie McCullough
Academic Advising Manager
Department of Chemistry
Just like atoms are the foundation of everything, advisors are the foundation of a student's success, especially in the case of the Department of Chemistry’s Katie McCullough. Through her unwavering dedication to students, McCullough has proven time and again how impactful an exceptional advisor can be.
“My entire college career I have been a declared chemistry major, so Katie has been a backbone in my collegiate development,” said Elizabeth Schnorrenberg, one of McCullogh’s student advisees. “I always look forward to our semester planning schedules and love staying over my time to talk to her. She has always been a huge supporter of me and has always been vital in every part of my success.”
McCullough also works hand-in-hand with students to navigate challenges that may affect their academic standing. One student recalls a time during her sophomore year when a medical emergency left her bedridden for 4 months, a development that could have severely impacted her graduation date. McCullough worked to adapt the student’s academic plan and consistently reached out to check in on her health to ensure the student had the tools to keep up with school work. With the help of McCullough, the student was able to graduate on time.
But the work does not stop there for McCullough. She goes above and beyond for the department by running a group of ambassadors to advise prospective students and hosted a variety of post-graduation events. McCullough focuses on preparing students for the next stage of their professional journey through career panels and resume workshops.
“Katie takes the time to listen and learn from students about their goals, their aspirations, and their concerns. She helps guide them through whatever challenges they might be experiencing, offering resources and options with warmth and encouragement,” said Jeanne Hamers, an undergraduate chemistry director and chemistry advisor. “Katie has transformed and expanded Chemistry student services during her tenure, making the chemistry undergraduate program more inclusive and accessible in the process.”

Todd Reck
Academic Advising Manager
Mead Witter School of Music
When Todd Reck joined the Mead Witter School of Music as an academic advising manager, faculty felt a “paradigm shift” in the department. Reck transformed the department from its outdated practices to one in which students can access highly professional advising and updated curricula.
As the Mead Witter School of Music mission states, “since its beginning in 1895, the School of Music has lived out a commitment to a student-centered musical education.” Reck has taken on this mission as his own by consistently putting his best foot forward for every student and faculty member whose path he crosses.
“Todd is an absolutely crucial player in our ability to realize this aspiration: excellent teaching and excellent student support combine to create an overall great experience for the Music student,” said Wendy Johnson, the assistant director for the Mead Witter School of Music. “In a short amount of time, Todd has expertly navigated department and university processes to get approval for programs and advising resources that bring greater ease and clarity to the student journey in Music.”
Within two years, four different Mead Witter School of Music advisors worked intermittently with students. Reck looked to mend and build relationships with students who lacked consistency — and he did just that. From when Reck started in September 2021, he worked closely with students to bring a level of security to their advising experience.
One student recalled approaching Reck with the desire to drop an organic chemistry honors course due to personal issues that ultimately impacted their academic journey. Reck took it upon himself to listen to the student and directed them to mental health and academic support resources on campus. Through Reck’s continued communication with the L&S Academic Deans and check-ins with the student, they were able to drop the course. They describe Reck as having a “genuine interest in advocating for my academic success and overall well-being.”
MID-CAREER

Tim Scott
Academic Advisor
L&S Academic Advising Services
Hundreds of students from different backgrounds with varying academic interests seek out advisor Tim Scott. His support is critical to students during their first years at UW-Madison.
Scott’s expert knowledge of the ins and outs of course requirements and his “exceptional ability to relate to other people” has allowed him to form collaborative relationships with both faculty and students.
One student recalls being weary of returning to school as an older student and feared feeling out of place. Scott soothed those fears by assuring the student that this was not a unique feeling – nor was it too difficult to overcome. He scoured through their transcripts and was able to offer candid feedback which the student described as “refreshingly honest.”
“There are people in this world that are very knowledgeable, and there are people in this world that are very personable,” said UW student Christopher Robin Brown.. “It is those that are highly accomplished at both that seem to make the greatest impact, such as Tim Scott.”
Scott has stepped up in extraordinary ways not only for his students but also for other advising units. In September 2021, Scott volunteered to provide advising support to the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). Quickly, he began forming relationships with L&S students from low income or rural communities and first-generation college students. Scott was then invited to serve on a CAE hiring committee — a reflection of his ability to connect with people even in a short period of time.
“He [Tim] is always both encouraging and pragmatic,” said Marco Lama, one of Scott’s student advisees. “He welcomes my ideas and then explains the opportunities and limitations I will most likely encounter if I choose to see them through. This gives me the confidence to pursue my goals with the awareness required to actually achieve them.”
GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISING AWARD

Anne Pringle
Professor of Botany
Departments of Botany and Bacteriology
A profound passion for the sciences — and her students — drives Anne Pringle, a professor in the Department of Botany, as a graduate student advisor.
“Anne’s love of science is contagious and a constant reminder of why I chose my path,” said Cecelia Stokes, a graduate student in the department. “Anne has created an environment in which we feel supported both academically and personally. This seemingly simple concept has allowed us the comfort necessary to express ideas without fear of judgment, lean on each other in harder times, and become more dynamic scientists.”
As an advisor, Pringle has an open-door policy. She is committed to supporting and uplifting students, providing detailed, constructive feedback, discussing and debating scientific topics, and creating a sense of community both inside and outside the lab.
“The best advisors aren't those who have all the answers, but those who create a safe space where students can explore their own truths and find their own solutions,” said Yen-Wen (Denny) Yang, a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University who received his PhD from the Department of Botany. “I can testify that Dr. Pringle offers us students tremendous support, allowing us to learn and research while feeling secure — the support that we all need while studying in a graduate school in science.”
Pringle’s research focuses on the use of fungi as a way to illuminate different principles of ecology and evolution. Through her lab and coursework, Pringle seeks to involve students in all aspects of her research. She even undertakes students that aren’t her direct advisees, unofficially mentoring those without advisors on campus or those simply in need of advice about their studies.
“Although I am not a formal student of hers, and she was on sabbatical in a country with rolling black-outs and an eight-hour time difference, she showed up when I needed help,” said Soleil Young, a candidate in the microbiology doctoral program. “Without Anne’s staunch support and advocacy, I am not sure I would still be on track to graduate.”
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT ADVISING AWARD

Carmela Diosana
Academic Advising Manager
Department of Statistics
“Carmela Diosana changed my life.”
That’s what Jacob Rosenberg, a student in the Department of Statistics, had to say about this year’s winner of the Distinguished Achievement Advising Award.
Diosana, an academic advising manager in the Department of Statistics, has been at UW–Madison since 2000, when she began working as an administrator for the Center for Sustainability and Global Environment. In her role within the Department of Statistics, Diosana helped Rosenberg back on track after he dropped out.
“No one else in my life at that point was anything other than skeptical of my thoughts of rejoining UW–Madison,” Rosenberg said. “She single handedly gave me the outside encouragement I needed.”
Diosana has also sought to improve the department for students like Rosenberg. She has proposed that a University Health Services mental health staffer be housed within the new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences building and has created a more welcoming environment in the Statistics Learning Center, where she serves as coordinator.
“As the Statistics department continues to grow and we face changes with moving to a new building, I know that having Carmela on our team ensures that we are always looking at the bigger picture and having a student-centered focus always at the forefront,” said Sara Rodock, the academic advising assistant director for the department.
Diosana’s impact is not just limited to the Department of Statistics, however. She spent more than eight years as a student services coordinator for the Department of Botany as well. According to Katherine McCulloh, an associate professor of botany, Diosana greatly improved the graduate student experience within the department, changing the orientation structure to focus on interpersonal relationships and introducing students to faculty and staff.
“Before Carmela revised it, the students sat in a room for hours over the course of a few days and were extremely overwhelmed with information, most of which meant little to them at the time,” said McCulloh. “She helped to build a strong and supportive Graduate Program in our department, worked intentionally to increase (and maintain, once the students arrived) our diversity, and greatly improved the orientation process for new students.”
All Recipients
2023-2024
Early Career Recipients
- Christine Evans, Associate Director of Advising and Curriculum, L&S Honors Program
- Katie McCullough, Academic Advising Manager, Department of Chemistry
- Todd Reck, Academic Advising Manager, Mead Witter School of Music
Mid-Career Recipient
- Tim Scott, Academic Advisor, L&S Academic Advising Services
Graduate Student Advising Recipient
- Anne Pringle, Professor of Botany, Departments of Botany and Bacteriology
Distinguished Achievement Recipient
- Carmela Diosana, Academic Advising Manager, Department of Statistics
2022-23
- Erica Haas, Assistant Director, L&S Academic Advising Services
- Alicia Johanning, Undergraduate Academic Advising Associate Director, Department of Economics
- Dan McCammon, Professor, Department of Physics
- Amy Stambach, Professor, Department of Anthropology
2021-22
- Leslie Abadie, Graduate Program Manager, Department of History
- Erin Polnaszek Boyd, Academic Advisor, Department of English
- Joel Gruley, Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Geography
- Rachel Weiss, Undergraduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures
2020-21
- Rachelle Eilers, Senior Academic Adviser, Chican@ and Latin@ Studies Program
- Maureen Muldoon, Career and Internship Specialist, SuccessWorks
2019-20
- Toni Landis, Senior Student Services Examiner, Departments of African Cultural Studies & Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
- Susan Nelson, Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Gender & Women’s Studies
2018-19
- James Graettinger, Advisor, L&S Academic Advising Services
- Marie Koko, Senior Student Services Coordinator, SuccessWorks
2017-18
- Scott Burkhardt, Senior Advisor, Department of History
- Mark Louden, Professor, Department of German, Nordic & Slavic
2016-17
- Karen Redfield, Department of English
- Lisa Aarli, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
2015-16
- Teddy Kaul, Associate Student Services Coordinator, Department of Art History
- Myra Marx Ferree, Professor, Department of Sociology
2014-15
- Ricardo Court, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Political Science
- Jeanne Hamers, Chemistry Undergraduate Program Director and Major Advisor, Department of Chemistry
2013-14
- Jeff Beneker, Associate Professor, Department of Classics
- Mary Treleven, Senior Student Services Coordinator, Lafollette School of Public Affairs
2012-13
- Melanie Manion, Professor, Department of Political Science
- Karen Thompson, Senior Advisor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
2011-12
- Patricia Rosenmeyer, Professor, Department of Classics
- Anna Tumarkin, Associate Faculty Associate, Department of Slavic Languages and Literature
2010-11
- Nina Valeo-Cooke, Academic Staff, Department of Gender and Women’s Studies
- Mark Kenoyer, Professor, Department of Anthropology
2009-10
- Steven Winspur, Professor, Department of French and Italian
- Stephanie Osborn, Academic Staff, Department of Psychology
2008-09
- Ronald Troxel, Associate Professor, Religious Studies Program
- Molly McGlone, Assistant Director of Advising and Curriculum, L&S Honors Program
2007-08
- Gloria Mari-Beffa, Professor, Department of Mathematics
- Liane Kosaki, Academic Staff, Department of Political Science
2006-07
- Philip Brown, Professor,Department of Geology
- Rebecca Ryan, Academic Staff, Cross-College Advising Services
2005-06
- Andrew Irving, Faculty, Department of French & Italian
- Ellen Jacobson, Academic Staff, Department of Sociology
2004-05
- Neil Richardson, Professor, Department of Political Science
- Christine Schindler, Academic Staff, International Studies Division
Nominate an outstanding advisor.
For more information about Advising Awards, please contact Associate Dean of Student Academic Affairs Cal Bergman.