Sánchez Lanier named top national academic advisor
By Beverly Makhani, Undergraduate Education
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University Assistant Vice Provost Mary Sánchez Lanier has received the “Outstanding Advising Award” in the faculty category from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) at its annual conference in Las Vegas.
“Often as advisors, our task is to help students put their experiences into perspective,” said Sánchez Lanier. “Then they can understand their choices and the resources available to them to guide their decision-making as they move forward. Depending on the student, that conversation might be about how to choose a major, find an undergraduate-research experience or develop plans about grades.”
“She never simply told me what to do, but rather asked what she could do to help me,” wrote once student in recommending Sánchez Lanier for the award.
Sánchez Lanier’s work to support students extends beyond her WSU roles as advisor, mentor, award-winning teacher and administrator. She is WSU’s faculty representative to the Goldwater and Udall foundations, which award nationally competitive and prestigious scholarships.
She established the Research Capstone Institute for the American Society for Microbiology Fellows, a professional development organization for graduates and undergraduates who want help establishing professional contacts, solid research programs and strong presentation skills.
The national NACADA award is Sánchez Lanier’s third top advisor award this year. The WSU Academic Advising Association named her tops in its faculty academic advisor category in fall 2014 and she took the similar top award at the NACADA regional group in spring 2015.
Contact:
Mary Sánchez Lanier, WSU Undergraduate Education, 509-335-7769, sánchez@vetmed.wsu.edu
