USU Academic Advisors bring home the gold

Two Utah State University academic advisors received awards from the National Academic Advising Association for their work in academic counseling. 

Advisors Dani Lawrence and Kaylee Roholt were given the awards after previously being recognized in March at NACADA’s Region 10 Awards. 

Lawrence, an advisor in USU’s Department of Biology, was awarded the NACADA Outstanding New Advisor of the Year.

Lawrence, who attended the University of Northern Colorado, became an advisor after moving to Utah and finding a “dream opportunity.”

“I began work as an administrative assistant for the Exploratory Advising Office and got to witness firsthand how advisors can make a difference in the lives of students,” Lawrence said. “I started working as an advisor for the Biology Department in Sept. 2017, as I was able to fulfill my interest in advising and my passion for Biology.”

Lawrence said she loves her job and loves to work with USU students. 

“I really love the relationships that I get to build with my students,” she said. “It is incredibly fulfilling to get to meet students and work with them as they go on to accomplish amazing things.”

Lawrence said she was “thankful and excited” when she heard about her award. 

“I am a part of a great institution with such an amazing community of advisors,” she said. “As a new advisor, I owe a lot to my mentors and colleagues. They have taught me so much and I am very grateful that I get to work with them and my amazing students every day.”

Lawrence plans to continue advising at USU for years to come, and said she has “fallen in love with the profession.”

Roholt, an advisor in USU’s department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education, was awarded the NACADA National Outstanding Professional Advisor of the Year. 

Roholt received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USU and worked in the USU Admission Office while attending. 

“I always knew I wanted to be in a helping profession,” Roholt said. “As I progressed through high school and into early college I thought that would be school counseling. As I moved along in my college education, I knew I wanted to stay in higher education. Students are transforming during college, and I wanted to be part of that. In 2012, aviation was the advising position that stuck. It has been a fun learning adventure ever since.”

Roholt said she enjoys helping students through the ups and downs of college. 

“I like helping students navigate the peaks and valleys of education,” she said. “I love to celebrate the triumphs, and I like to help them overcome the hurdles. Occasionally I will meet with a discouraged student, and I love seeing the light come back to their eyes as we talk about moving onward and upward.”

Roholt said she was touched to receive the award and was thankful to “the best students” for nominating her. 

“This award was completely made possible by USU students,” she said. “USU Advising invites students to nominate advisors for annual USU advising awards.It is nice that we can support each other as we journey together.”

Roholt said she hopes to continue working in student services.