NDSU advisors receive national recognition for contributions to academic advising
Four academic advisors in NDSU’s Career and Advising Center have recently been recognized by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, the leading professional association for academic advising in higher education, for their outstanding contributions to academic advising and student success.
Brad Jones and Zane Voglewede, both academic advisors in the College of Business, received NACADA Advising Excellence Awards for their work supporting students and their commitment to academic advising.
Jones received the NACADA Advising Excellence Award – Advisor, which recognizes the accomplishments of advising professionals and their contributions to student success through strong advising practices, relationship-building, developmental advising and professional engagement.
Since becoming an academic advisor in 2022, Jones has consistently demonstrated a student-centered approach to advising, said his supervisor, Janet Sundquist, the lead advisor in the College of Business, in his nomination letter.
“His ability to connect with students, build trust and create a welcoming environment has made him an invaluable resource within the College of Business and across campus,” Sundquist said.
Students frequently describe Jones as “extremely helpful,” “knowledgeable” and someone who “does a fantastic job,” Sundquist added. “These sentiments are echoed repeatedly in advising evaluations and conversations with students and families alike.”
Voglewede received the NACADA Advising Excellence Award – New Advisor, which recognizes professionals early in their advising careers who demonstrate exceptional academic advising, strong student advocacy, effective communication and a commitment to supporting student success.
Voglewede has quickly established himself as a highly engaged and respected member of NDSU’s advising community, Sundquist said in his nomination letter. He is consistently among the first to volunteer when assistance is needed, whether supporting prospective student admissions events, covering advising help desk shifts or assisting with departmental initiatives.
“His collaborative spirit and dependable nature make him an invaluable colleague,” Sundquist said. “Students trust and respect Zane’s guidance. One graduating student in a College of Business exit survey specifically identified him as an ‘outstanding educator and mentor,’ reflecting the significant impact he has on those he advises.”
Both awards will be presented at the regional level through NACADA Region 6.
Two additional NDSU advisors were selected for NACADA scholarships that will support their professional development.
Kaitlyn Alme Hjelseth, the lead advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, was selected for a 2027 Administrators’ Institute Scholarship. The scholarship will provide an opportunity to further develop her leadership skills and connect with other professionals in academic advising and student success.
“Kaitlyn is a fast-rising leader in academic advising and higher education,” said her supervisor, Andrea Hein, the associate director for academic advising. “In her first year as a Lead Academic Advisor, Kaitlyn has made an impact with her team and the greater NDSU advising community. She has contributed to clear improvements and better organization of information and information sharing and bringing clarity and support to the team she supervises.”
Kelly Monroe, an academic advisor in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and the College of Business, was selected for a 2026 NACADA Annual Conference Scholarship.
Monroe has attended regional NACADA conferences in the past and is eager to expand her professional development through a national conference, said her supervisor, Hope Ray, the lead academic advisor in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
“Throughout all of her work, Kelly always has an eye out for new ideas that can enrich her practice and the student learning experience,” Ray said in her scholarship nomination. “This scholarship would provide her with the opportunity for an enriching experience that I know she would take full advantage of, bringing back tools and knowledge to share not only with our college team but academic advisors across our campus.”
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Source: NDSU Career and Advising Center
Writer: Meghan Arbegast
Photo: Lindsay Arbach/NDSU