Student Organization Advisor of the Year
This award is presented to a Warrington student organization advisor who has gone above and beyond the requirements of their role to provide exceptional service for the organization and its students.
In order to apply for this award, please review all information below. Applications open Friday, January 12th and must be submitted by 11:59PM on Sunday, February 4th. You may showcase anything in your application that occurred between January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023.
Application
For the award application, you will need to complete the following:
- Please review the Recognition and Awards page to ensure your organization type (department-sponsored versus student organization) is eligible to apply for this particular award.
- You will attach your essay (required) and any additional letters of support (encouraged) to the online application form (see link at the bottom of this page), by the deadline specified above.
Submission Requirements & Instructions
- In no more than two pages double-spaced, please address the criteria below with quantitative and qualitative evidence to support your application regarding an advisor’s contributions from January 2023 to December 2023:
- Description of this advisor’s exceptional service to the organization, college, or community.
- Examples of how the advisor supported the goals and mission of the organization.
- How the advisor supported the competency development of organization leaders and members.
- Examples of how the advisor contributed to individual student leadership development within the organization.
- How the advisor supported the organization by attending or participating in meetings and events. Please be specific about the number of meetings and events the advisor has attended, and provide examples of their contributions.
- Letters of support are encouraged, but not required. Maximum of two letters, each limited to one page.
- If you are also applying for awards that require a PowerPoint presentation, please do not address this award in your presentation.
Selection Process & Criteria
In order to be considered, applications must be submitted by the deadline and adhere to the proper formatting requirements listed above. A selection committee of Heavener staff members will choose a winner who best exemplifies the award based on the qualitative and quantitative evidence provided in the application.
By submitting an application, applicants agree to release their academic records and discipline records to the selection committee. This year’s selection committee members are: Autumn Santos, Dalon Coleman, Danica Mandarano, Jeff Danso, Satcha Sanon, Sarah Morais, and the BCC President.
Previous Award Recipients
Cecilia Schulz
Cecilia Schulz is deserving of this award due to her unmatched dedication to the Retail Society and to the students interested in the retail industry. She is an inspiration to the students and encourages their involvement and for them to “step outside their comfort zone.” She is constantly striving to help our Gators be competitive in the retail world. She is committed to their holistic success and is the embodiment of what the College seeks in faculty advisors for student organizations and programs.
Jamie Kraft
Jaime Kraft, the advisor for Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ambassadors, is described by the ambassadors as “one of the most passionate and active program advisors many of us have had in our time at UF”. This year, he guided them in the presentation of TEDxUF 2012, and shows availability and openness as an advisor with an open invitation to eat lunch at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He is described as “a sounding board for our ideas” and according to one student, “he has served as an integral part of my college career, and I know he will continue to be a mentor and friend of mine into the future”.
Jamie Kraft
Jamie Kraft, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ambassadors note, has attended every meeting in the Spring semester, actively participating in the organization’s activities and events, often staying well after hours to meet with the organizations and even go over meeting agendas before events. According to one of his students, Jamie “holds a wealth of wisdom and never ceases to surprise me with the plethora of ways to look at the same problem”.
David Boneparth
According to the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ambassadors, David Boneparth is by far the most passionate and active program advisor many of them have had in their time at UF. Present at nearly every meeting, David is there to coach and lead them. According to one student “Dave continually serves as a sounding board for our ideas and always helps us develop our businesses. He is very honest about the feasibility of our ideas and helps us contact faculty or entrepreneurs to serve as business mentors. Dave Boneparth has served as an integral part of my college career and I know he will continue to be a mentor and friend of mine into the future.”
David Boneparth
For every college student there is a certain faculty member that has a profound effect on student’s personal development and is turned to for advice, assistance, and assurance. For the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ambassadors, David has been that person. David has gone above and beyond the basic requirements of an organization advisor by acting as a mentor for all members, consistently attending weekly meetings, is always available to facilitate in necessary networking and contact services, and holds himself personally accountable for the progress and growth of the organization. David is there for his students every step of the way and his compassion and commitment to students separate him from the rest.
Erica Byrnes
Erica has served as the Business Administration College Council advisor for over two years. Erica guided the executive board in its goal to restructure the organization by giving them a path to move towards. She allowed the board to interact with influential decision makers in the college. Erica remains patient in growing and developing the executive positions that change each semester. Erica helped to develop the Warrington Times production from monthly to bi weekly issues. Erica also attends the majority of general and executive board meetings. Erica spends endless hours with these students and is an excellent role model for them. By providing them with challenge and support, she pushes them beyond what they think they are capable of doing.
Horace Tucker
Horace has given many hours to the development and success of the Minority Business Society this year. He has contributed to recruitment efforts and provided networking and sponsorship opportunities. This year, Horace helped connect the MBS and INROADS minority internship program to host a social that exposed minority students to the many opportunities available through the INROADS program.
A quote from one of the MBAS members: “Mr. Tucker has been a great adviser and is well deserving of the adviser of the year award. I know Mr. Tucker personally through the Minority Business Society where he serves as the faculty adviser. For the past two years, he has always been willing to lend me advice on courses, other programs that would be beneficial to me, even helping me with my plans to study abroad. In addition, he also actively seeks out other members of MBS to personally get to know the students. Although Mr. Tucker has many other commitments, he has always found time to help myself and others when needed. It is a pleasure to recommend Horace Tucker for the adviser of the year award.”
Ann Fitzmorris
Ann has given many evenings and weekends to the Business Administration College Council attending programs and working to develop the members of the BACC into the business leaders of tomorrow.