Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize for Excellence in Advising

The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences annually recognizes outstanding faculty and staff academic advising of its undergraduate students with the Ampco-Pittsburgh Prize for Excellence in Advising, a one-time $4,000 (taxable) cash award.

Any Dietrich School faculty or staff member with a regular, full-time appointment who has served as an advisor for at least three years on the Oakland campus is eligible. Faculty and staff who receive a nomination from their director or department chair and two or more undergraduate students whom they have advised will be considered.

A letter from the chair of the department, the director of the program, or the director of the Advising Center is required; it should explain the advising model used in the advisor's department, program, or office, include a perspective on his or her advising appointment and case load, and describe how the advisor has demonstrated excellence in academic advising. Letters from at least two current or former undergraduate advisees are also required. These letters should describe when and how the advisor's advice has impacted the advisee's academic and career goals.

Nomination Information

Nominations are accepted from October 1 through October 31, and should be sent to John Twyning, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, 140 Thackeray Hall.

The prize winner will be selected by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Council and announced in the spring term. For more information, contact LaShawn Youngblood.

Recent Awardees

  • Danielle Andrews-Brown, Geology and Environmental Science (2022)
  • Emily Snyder, Academic Advisor, Advising Center (2022)
  • Frayda Cohen, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program (2020)
  • Barbara “Babs” Mowery, Academic Advisor, Advising Center (2020)
  • Carolyn Carson, Urban Studies (2019)
  • Russell Clark, Physics and Astronomy (2018)
  • Mark Kemp, English (2017)
  • Claude Mauk, Linguistics (2016)
  • Mark Collins, Geology and Planetary Science (2015)
  • Jane Wallace, Economics (2014)
  • Katherine Wolfe, Economics (2014)
  • Gretchen Bender, History of Art and Architecture (2013)
  • Kathleen Allen, Anthropology (2012)
  • Tony Novosel, History (2011)
  • Barbara Kucinski, Psychology (2010)
  • Fiore Pugliano, English (2009)
  • George Bandik, Chemistry (2008)
  • Daniel Romesberg, Sociology (2007)