Dixon Resident Wins Major Award For Academic Advising

DAVIS, CA — Dixon resident Elvira Galvan Hack, staff advisor for students in the Animal Biology major – ABI – at University of California, Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, is the recipient of a regional award for her academic advising.

Hack won the category, Excellence in Advising Award, Advisor Primary Role, for Region 9 of NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising. The region covers California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey, master advisor for ABI, won a certificate of merit, Excellence in Advising, Faculty Advisor category.

Honora Knopp, academic advisor for undergraduate academic programs in the dean's office, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, won the Excellence in Advising Award, Advising Equity Champion.

Hack, Kimsey and Knopp are slated to be honored at the Region 9 conference, set for April 23-25 in Palm Springs.

Hack, a 17-year academic advisor, was hired in October 2007 as the new undergraduate staff advisor for the animal biology major, then located in the Department of Nematology.

“Elvira is likely the best academic advisor ever,” Kimsey wrote in the application. “Not only is she completely conversant with all the rules and regulations of the major, but understands the latitude of flexibility built into their application in a very human way. She is connected with all the administrative functionaries necessary to efficiently accomplish any task in a timely manner. For the confused or troubled student, she is the first and last resort for the solution of problems not only of an academic or administrative kind but those of a deeply personal nature as well. She keeps them on track, outlining their options, helping them decide on their future professions, and the direction their life should take. She has been invaluable to me as the master advisor. She really does care about a student's fate. Moreover we have had great fun doing these tasks together.”

Hack describes her philosophy of advising:"My overall philosophy is that students should feel welcome, respected and treasured. I ensure that my advising office is a warm, friendly, and an inviting place, an all-inclusive place where students can feel both comfortable and safe. They can trust me: they can trust me to listen, they can trust me to be heard, and they can trust me that they will be understood, supported and valued. I maintain an open door policy. I am here to provide them with advice, assistance and tools at a time when they need it the most. If they are experiencing a problem, I make time for them immediately, no matter the hour. I assure them that it is better for them to seek assistance now, than for them to head home and worry about it for hours or days. I emphasize how important self-care is because, frankly, they can be so hard on themselves. In the classroom, they may struggle with the instructor, content, assignments, grades and peers, but in my office, it's a positive experience. I assure them that they belong here, that they are appreciated, and that they are celebrated like family. My students know that I care. For example, I know that many students develop food insecurities due to monetary or time restraints. Thus, I stock a table with healthy snacks and encourage them to “drop in and grab a quick snack” in between classes or when they are working on research projects in their lab."

Students highly praise her work, dedication and kindness.

“During my first quarter as a transfer student, I went through some extreme life changes and emotional roller coasters,” one student said. “I would end up in her office crying my eyes out and in distraught, but she always calmed me down and helped me reach out for other help to get me through my rough patch.”

Another student described Elvira “as by far the most helpful, kind and encouraging adviser I have met at UC Davis. Being a first-generation college student, I require extra help in understanding and executing graduation requirements and other criteria for my future career goals.”

Both Kimsey and Hack are recipients of other major awards this year. Kimsey won the 2019 UC Davis Outstanding Advisor Award. Hack was honored at the 2019 Staff Assembly's Citation for Excellence Program, receiving an honorable mention and cash award in the highly competitive Individual Service Award category.

Both Kimsey and Hack shared the 2019 Eleanor and Harry Walker Advising Awards from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, for top faculty advisor and top staff advisor, respectively. The awards honor excellence and innovation in academic advising.

Community ecologist Louie Yang, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, won the NACADA international advising award in 2018.

NACADA' s vision is to recognize that "effective academic advising is at the core of student success." Its mission is is to promote student success by advancing the field of academic advising globally. The organization provides opportunities for professional development, networking, and leadership in its diverse membership.

— By Kathy Keatley Garvey, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology