PACADA honors academic advisors for outstanding work

Two academic advisors have been recognized by the Purdue Academic Advising Association (PACADA) for their dedication to student success and active involvement in the Purdue community.

Tiffany Stergar, recipient of the Outstanding Advising Award, and Alyssa Powers, recipient of the Outstanding New Professional Award, were honored Thursday (Jan. 26) at PACADA’s annual business meeting.

Outstanding Academic Advisor: Tiffany Stergar 

Stergar supported students for five years as an academic advisor in the College of Health and Human Sciences before recently taking on a new role as assistant director of advising professional development in Purdue’s Undergraduate Academic Advising Office.

As an advisor, Stergar wanted nothing but the best for her students, and it showed in her work each day. According to one nominator, Stergar always strived to learn about her advisees’ professional goals, family lives and individual needs. In addition to regularly meeting with her students, she often sent them job opportunities, edited their resumes and cover letters, nominated them for professional development opportunities, and wrote letters of recommendation.

Stergar routinely went beyond the duties expected of her role, even in support of those who weren’t technically her students. 

“In one instance, one of my closest friends was debating between two job offers,” a student nominator said. “He was incredibly torn, and he wanted to speak to an unbiased source. I emailed Tiffany, and she scheduled a meeting with him the very next day to discuss his options. He raved about her afterward.”

When that same student nominator began the tedious process of changing majors, Stergar’s guidance and sound advice made it simple. 

“She provided all the right resources for me and guided me through the process. Tiffany made me more confident in myself and encouraged me to join clubs, meet people in my major and get involved with the financial advising community. Without her, I would not be the person I am today.”

Last year, Stergar participated in more than 20 different on-campus professional development activities, attended various workshops and conferences hosted by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and served as the 2022-23 chair of PACADA.

Outstanding New Professional: Alyssa Powers

Ever since Powers joined the Purdue community as a retention specialist and a pre-veterinary advisor in the College of Agriculture, she has displayed the attributes, skills and actions of an outstanding new professional, according to one nominator.

In the two years she’s worked in her position, Powers has developed a deep understanding of a wide range of Purdue curricula and resources. Paired with her welcoming demeanor and willingness to provide honest feedback, Powers helps students feel comfortable in sharing their academic progress and setbacks.

“Dozens and dozens of hours are set aside each semester to ensure our students of concern have the opportunity to meet with her,” one nominator said. “She truly cares about ensuring every struggling student within the College of Agriculture gets back on track and that every pre-veterinary medicine student finds their path.”

Powers’ nominators say she goes out of her way to make herself accessible to students and find a solution to any problem they’re facing. When Powers learned one of her students was living in their vehicle, she reached out to multiple campus offices and area nonprofits and knocked on the doors of local churches to provide the student with a list of food pantries, community resources, low-cost housing options, emergency loan information and more.

One student nominator remembers how helpful and detail-oriented Powers was when they met with her as a freshman to discuss their area of study and future goals.

“She not only provided a roadmap of courses to take and possible extracurriculars for someone with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration, but she also took the time to check up on my mental and emotional health as someone new to campus. Dr. Powers has a caring nature that is evident in her words and actions.”

Last year, Powers held more than 200 meetings with students on academic probation. In addition to being a member of PACADA, she has participated in multiple professional development opportunities related to retention, advising, diversity, equity and inclusion, course design, and mental health.