The University of Michigan’s commitment to recognizing exceptional academic advisors has once again been highlighted at this year’s ACUM Advising Conference. Held on May 6 and 7, the conference celebrated outstanding contributions by advisors from the Ann Arbor campus, focusing on their efforts to promote student growth and learning.
ACUM Outstanding Advising Award
This year, Stephanie Custer and Yili Lin from the College of Engineering received the prestigious ACUM Outstanding Advising Award. This accolade, first introduced in 2022, honors faculty and staff advisors who exemplify the U-M’s Academic Advising & Coaching Framework. The recipients were acknowledged for their dedication to advancing both the academic and personal development of students.
A total of 653 nominations were submitted for 285 advisors, reflecting the high regard in which these professionals are held by the student body.
Stephanie Custer, an advisor in the College of Engineering, is particularly noted for her holistic and personalized approach. Students have commended her ability to guide them through unique academic journeys, with one stating, “Stephanie is, without a doubt, the only reason I was able to finish my undergraduate degree in three years.” Her efforts go beyond traditional advising, as evidenced by her support for students studying abroad in France and her proactive communication with students on progress reports.
Yili Lin, a CSE undergraduate program advisor, is celebrated for her warm and caring approach. Known for her ability to connect with students over time and distance, Yili’s nominators praised her attentiveness to students’ lives beyond academics. A student recounted how Yili recognized them after a year following a brief meeting, reinforcing their sense of belonging within the engineering community.
LSA Advising Awards
In addition to the ACUM awards, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) also announced its winners for excellence in advising.
Ruth M. Sinclair Memorial Award: David Krstovich, an advisor at the Newnan Academic Advising Center, was recognized with this award, which was established in 1967. His nominators emphasized his warm, welcoming demeanor and his empowering approach, which helps students see a wider array of future possibilities. One student highlighted how he connected them to resources that allowed them to become more independent decision-makers.
Excellence in Departmental Advising Award: Darcy Brandel, a senior student admin assistant and lecturer, received this accolade. Established in 1988, the award celebrates outstanding departmental advising. Brandel’s nominators described her as enthusiastic and inclusive, with one student crediting her as the primary reason for continuing their studies after freshman year amidst self-doubts.
Unsung Champion Award: Allison Earl, an associate professor of psychology, was honored with this award, introduced in 2020. Her nominators praised her for providing individualized mentorship that fosters both confidence and resilience. Her consistent and caring support over time has left a lasting impact, as one nominator noted, “Her mentorship is not exceptional because of any single moment, but because of its consistency and care over time.”
