MANSFIELD, PA— Professor Bob Maris, Biology, and Assistant 
Professor Michele Whitecraft, Education and Special Education, have been named Outstanding Academic Advisors for the 2014-15 academic year at Mansfield University.
The awards are designed to recognize faculty for exemplary academic advising. Maris and Whitecraft were named by a selection committee, and approved by Interim Provost Roy Stewart, after a campus-wide nomination process.
The committee’s recommendation of Maris said, “Bob had an overwhelming level of backing with over 28 letters of support, from students and colleagues. It is clear that he will go to great lengths to support the academic advising of all students he serves and provides an exceptional level of advising.”
Of Whitecraft the committee said, “Michelle has a deep and well-constructed philosophy of academic advising and she provided an outstanding level of evidence that she puts this into practice for the benefit of her advisees. Additionally, she has a broad base of support across all constituencies on campus.”
Also receiving nominations were Josephine Powley, Academic and Human Development; John Kirby, Biology; Lynn Pifer, English and Modern Languages; Jason Roscoe, Academic and Human Development; Gretchen Sechrist, Psychology; Michelle Moore, Education and Special Education; Jan Purk, Sociology and Social Work; Justin Crowl, Criminal Justice Administration and Nancy Sidell, Sociology and Social Work.
“I congratulate Drs. Maris and Whitecraft on this well-deserved honor,” Stewart said. “I am pleased with the interest in this award and hope it can be continued to demonstrate to the University community that we value academic advisement.”
Maris and Whitecraft will each receive a $500 award to be used for professional development.