Each year, at the direction of the Office of the Provost, the Academic Advising Council selects honorees for the Nicholas Evans Awards for Advising Excellence in recognition of outstanding advising and mentoring provided by faculty and professional advisers at WVU.
The awards are in honor of Nicholas Evans, a lifelong proponent and exemplar of undergraduate advising at WVU.
The 2026 recipients of the Nicholas Evans Faculty Advising Excellence Award include:
Carolyn Kitchens, teaching associate professor, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology
Kitchens’ advising style is student-centered, compassionate and intentional, rooted in the belief that advising is one of the most important forms of teaching because it helps students make informed decisions, develop realistic plans and adapt when circumstances change. She approaches each advising interaction with warmth, active listening and reassurance, while also providing the structure and guidance students need to make the path ahead feel clear and manageable. Her advising encourages students to see uncertainty and setbacks not as signs of failure, but as natural parts of growth, and she works to help each student build confidence, take ownership of their decisions and move forward in a way that aligns with their goals, values and strengths.
Mikel “Micky” Holcomb, associate professor, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy
Holcomb’s commitment to developmental advising is at the core of her accolades. She directly supports student success by offering advisees individualized pathways and differentiated plans of study to meet them where they are and help transform their “anxiety into agency.” She strives to identify common setbacks for students and to address them early and effectively. Her student-centered approach to advising and mentorship has impacted numerous students’ academic trajectories and personal confidence.
The 2026 recipient of the Nicholas Evans Primary Role Advising Excellence Award is:
Aaron Hawley, program coordinator for the Multidisciplinary Media Studies major and academic adviser in the College of Creative Arts and Media
Hawley’s caring and knowledgeable approach helps students achieve their goals and graduate equipped with life skills and knowledge for the path ahead. He often serves as a student advocate in such spaces as faculty meetings and curriculum discussions. Hawley’s efforts have helped to reverse enrollment declines and achieved notable growth across multiple programs due to his data-informed advising and intentional outreach. His consistent availability and demonstrable student success outcomes make him an outstanding representative of advising excellence.
The 2026 recipients of the Nicholas Evans Primary Role Advising Excellence — New Adviser Award are:
Sarah Deem, senior academic adviser in the School of Medicine
Deem said she feels that her role as an advisor is to guide students as they grow and develop, not only academically, but personally as well. She is also committed to supporting new advisers across campus through her leadership role within the WVU Academic Advising Council as co-chair of the New Adviser Network. Her foundation of WVU knowledge, culture and pride allows students to relate to her as she has “been in their shoes.”
Allegra Dishner, student success adviser at WVU Institute of Technology
Dishner exhibits an obvious student-centered approach and a passion for helping students. She has created workshops designed to support students through common challenges and enhance student success outcomes. Her ability to connect students with resources to ensure victories both in and out of the classroom has contributed to increased retention at the institution. Dishner consistently goes above and beyond her advising duties to enhance students’ self-worth that will have a lifelong impact on students.
All five Nicholas Evans award recipients will be awarded $1,250 for professional development.
The awardees will be recognized during a faculty and staff awards reception at Blaney House in April.
