Carolyn Kitchens on the left and Mikel Holcomb on the right.
The awards are in honor of Nicholas Evans, a lifelong proponent and exemplar of undergraduate advising at WVU.
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.
This article is republished from MOUNTAINEER E-News — read the original article.
