Poland honored with Evans Advising Award

Michelle Poland

Michelle Poland , academic success program coordinator, in the Fundamentals of Engineering Program, is one of four outstanding student advisors to be honored with the 2017 Nicholas Evans Excellence in Advising Award.

By Olivia Miller
Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The award was established by the Office of the Provost to honor outstanding mentoring by both professional and faculty advisers. It was created in honor of Dr. Nicholas Evans, a former professor of English and administrator who championed high-quality undergraduate advising throughout his career at WVU.

Poland advises 200-250 freshman in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources each semester. She also leads New Student Orientation efforts, organizes the College’s Welcome Week activities, directs the Eugene V. Cilento Learning Center and is a member of the WVU Advising Development Collaborative.

“Advising is my passion,” said Poland. “I love coming to the office each day knowing that I am able to help make a positive impact in a student’s life. My favorite part of advising is getting to know each student. We have some spectacular future engineers doing some pretty amazing things!”

The other recipients include Barbara Griffin, program manager and senior adviser, Regents Bachelor of Arts Program; Evan Widders, clinical associate professor and coordinator, Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs; and Carolyn Peluso Atkins, professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, director, Speech Pathology and Audiology Undergraduate Program.

All four Evans Advising Awards recipients will be recognized by President Gordon Gee and Provost Joyce McConnell at the faculty and staff awards dinner at Blaney House this month. Each will also receive $1,250 in professional development support.

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