Katie Pounders, assistant director for online programs and academic advisor for the Sam M. Walton College of Business, was awarded the Academic Advising Council's Academic Advisor of the Year award.

Pounders has served as a professional academic advisor in the Walton College since May of 2014. Her colleagues nominated her for her skills in working with students, her willingness to help others and her drive to ensure students have the best possible experience. She has been described as "having a true heart of patience" and "extremely gracious in her service of so many different types of students."

In order to be nominated, advisors must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, mastery of policies and procedures, participation in development programs and a caring, helpful attitude. Pounders demonstrated these characteristics and more.

In addition to her academic advisor duties, Pounders has additional responsibilities that include managing all three of Walton College's online programs and overseeing advising for the 282 degree-seeking students declared in those majors. It is a testament to Pounders that all her students get advised and all her work gets done. During the transition to remote advising services, Pounders was heavily involved in helping to set up processes that would keep the Undergraduate Programs Office running smoothly. Pounders was also nominated for the NACADA Outstanding Advisor award.

Read more about Pounders in this Walton Today spotlight.