Outstanding Advisor and Outstanding Service Awards 2009–2010

Silliman Is Role Model as Advisor

Kathryn Silliman

Kathryn “Katie” Silliman, Nutrition and Food Sciences, has been selected as the Outstanding Advisor for 2009–2010. She has taught at CSU, Chico since 2004. Her advising is lauded as outstanding, not just in sheer numbers or the complexity of the major and graduate programs she is responsible for, but in the inspiration, support, and encouragement she provides to students.

Silliman has advised almost 250 students alone for the last few years, as other faculty capable of advising have had other program responsibilities. She teaches two to three classes each semester and has been the chair of the new Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences since 2007.

NFS is unique among majors, as students must be prepared to qualify for an American Dietetic Association Accreditation process. That means that students must find a local dietetic “externship” placement, complete numerous internship and graduate school applications, and prepare for the national Registered Dietitian examination.

As an advisor, Silliman maintains e-mail listservs for all new job announcements to help with job placement and writes letters of recommendation. She is available to graduate students who rely on her for orientation and class scheduling, research topics and matches with respective faculty, help with organization of graduate school paperwork and deadlines, and announcement of student defense topics and dates.

A former student wrote in a letter of recommendation that Silliman was an enthusiastic teacher as well as advisor who helped her and others experience the joy of learning and the thrill of helping others. “Katie sets a very high bar—and she gives her students the tools necessary to achieve their best. She is the single most influential educator and role model in my life.”

Avanzino Serves on Multiple Levels

Susan Avanzino

Susan Avanzino, Communication Arts and Sciences, received the Outstanding Faculty Service Award for her contributions to her department, her college, and to the University since her arrival at CSU, Chico in 1995. Her major areas of emphasis are organizational communication and communication theory. Her service activities include playing a key role at the department level in organizing faculty advising, revising the introductory course for the Communication Studies major, and helping to develop assessment procedures for the Communication Studies program.

Avanzino has routinely represented the Communication Studies program at freshman admission events and voluntarily advises for summer orientation. She also volunteers each semester as a judge for the Rookie Tournament sponsored by the department, serves on numerous committees, and sits on a majority of master’s theses and comprehensive exam committees for graduate students.

“Dr. Avanzino’s commitment to service in her program, department, college, university, larger community, and to students is very strong,” said Ruth M. Guzley, chair, Communication Arts and Sciences. “She views service as both a responsibility and a privilege. Dr. Avanzino consistently has stepped up in good times and in bad to serve. Often her service either has been taken for granted or has gone somewhat unnoticed simply because she does not call attention to her contributions.”

—Kathleen McPartland, Public Affairs and Publications