The Academic Support & Outreach Programs team has been named the Outstanding Team of the Year by Staff Senate. The award recognizes outstanding staff members who work together as a team, applauds outstanding staff accomplishments, and encourages and promotes excellence in the workplace.  

The ASOP student advocate team is composed of four full-time staff members: 

• Danielle Dunn, director of Academic Support & Outreach Programs and student advocate 
• Kathryn Lammers, student advocate 
• Erich Washausen, student advocate 
• Ana Ayala Barker, student advocate/instructor 

"I'm proud of all ASOP has accomplished for the university, and I'm pleased they are being recognized for the work they've done to help our students succeed," said Provost Terry Martin. "ASOP played a large role in the opening of the Student Success Center in 2022, and they continue to do a great job in developing programs that support our students in their academic journey toward graduation and after they earn their degree." 

As a unit housed in the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence (CORD), Academic Support & Outreach Programs is instrumental in driving student success through increasing graduation rates and closing opportunity gaps. To achieve this, the team provides success interventions, major exploration and academic outreach based on faculty and staff referrals. The team also proactively reaches out to students who may not be achieving academic milestones.

In addition to facilitating one-on-one meetings with students, the team also provides academic tips to students in a weekly newsletter, runs the CORD Coaching program (set to resume in fall 2023) and oversees The CORD's welcome desk guides who run the building's welcome desk and help visitors navigate the building and its services.

Key achievements noted in the ASOP team's nomination letter include the following: 

• Creating the Welcome Desk Guide program to coincide with The CORD's opening in January 2022
• Playing an instrumental role in the seamless opening of The CORD in January 2022
• Implementing an academic outreach calendar to provide a continuous flow of communication with students underperforming in courses
• Designing the Major Exploration Program to support students in their journeys to selecting majors

The team was honored at the Staff Senate Spring Celebration event on April 25. Each team member will also receive a cash award.

Learn more about the Academic Support & Outreach Programs team and its initiatives.