The UNC School of Social Work is currently accepting nominations from all MSW students for the
Excellence in Advising MSW Students Award. This is the inaugural year for this award that will be
presented each spring to a MSW advisor. Please consider nominating your single most outstanding
faculty advisor from this 2012-2013 academic year - the person who has been most instrumental in
your professional and/or academic development. All faculty members are eligible for this award.
Please find a description of advising, a description of mentoring, the different advisor roles at the
SSW, and examples of the types of activities included in these roles below.
Description of Advising
Academic advising has been defined as a “developmental process which assists students in the
clarification of their life/career goals and in the development of educational plans for the realization
of these goals. It is a decision-making process by which students realize their maximum educational
potential through communication and information exchanges with an advisor; it is ongoing,
multifaceted, and the responsibility of both student and advisor. The advisor serves as a facilitator
of communication, a coordinator of learning experiences through course and career planning and
academic progress review, and an agent of referral to other campus agencies as necessary”
(Crockett, 1987). Faculty advising at the School of Social Work can take place with a student’s
assigned faculty advisor, assigned field advisor, or other faculty at the School of Social Work who
guide the student in an informal advising role. At best, the advising role may evolve into a
mentoring relationship.
Description of Mentoring
Mentoring has been defined as a professional relationship in which a knowledgeable and
experienced person—the mentor—assists another person—the mentee—in developing specific
skills and knowledge that will enhance the less experienced and/or knowledgeable person’s
professional and personal growth. Mentors may coach the mentee with regard to development of
a specific skill or focus on the mentee’s holistic professional development. Mentors may also assist
mentees by sharing their resources and professional networks with mentees and by encouraging
them to take professional risks within a safe learning environment.
Assigned MSW Faculty Advisor - Guides the academic and professional development of advisees.
Types of activities:
 Establishes effective relationships with students who seek professional advice
 Orients advisees to the School’s mission and curriculum
 Assists advisees in integrating field and course work and decision making about
concentration and course selection
 Reviews and discusses advisees’ plans of study and leadership self-assessments with them,
helping identify opportunities for growth and development
 Provides outreach to students who are struggling with professional development and
personal issues
 Reaches out to students who are members of underrepresented groups and provides
support and guidance
 Serves as a mentor for students
Informal MSW Faculty Advisor - While not a student’s formally assigned faculty advisor, an informal
MSW faculty advisor also helps guide the academic and professional development of students.
Types of activities:
 Establishes effective relationships with students who seek professional advice
 Assists advisees in integrating field and course work and decision making about
concentration and course selection
 Provides outreach to students who are struggling with professional development and
personal issues
 Reaches out to students who are members of underrepresented groups and provides
support and guidance
 Serves as a mentor for students
MSW Field Advisor – Faculty member who serves as liaison between the student, field instructor
and field agency, guiding field education experiences that develop the professional competencies of
students.
Types of activities:
 Establishes effective relationships with students, field instructors and agency personnel
 Orients students to field education and its role in the curriculum
 Assists students in integrating field education tasks and experiences with course work
 Reviews and discusses students’ field education planning guides and learning agreements,
helping to identify learning opportunities
 Continuously monitors student progress in the field
 Provides consultation and assistance to students who experience challenges in field education
 Provides outreach to students who are struggling with professional development and personal
issues
 Reaches out to students who are members of underrepresented groups and provides
support and advice
 Serves as a mentor for students
Please complete the nomination form, including a statement that addresses how the advisor
demonstrates excellence in his/her advising role based on the description and one or more types of
activities listed above. This narrative statement will be critical in the award selection process.
Please forward the nomination to Student Affairs Assistant Tiffany Carver at
tscarver@email.unc.edu or her mail box. All nominations must be received by Friday, March 29,
2013. Thank you for taking the time to nominate an advisor of MSW students for this prestigious
award!
NOMINATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADVISING MSW STUDENTS
Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2013
PLEASE TYPE
Name of Nominee:
_______________________________________
Date:___________
Name of Nominator: _______________________________________
Statement as to why the MSW advisor is, in your opinion, deserving of this award:
(Attach second sheet if necessary)