The Dean is pleased to recognize COS Academic Advisor Sara Nickell as the recipient of this month's COS Excellence in Mastering Challenges Continuously (E=mc²) Award! This award was established by Dean Quintanilla to recognize outstanding efforts among full-time staff members within the College of Science and its departments.

"I was surprised and very honored to receive this award," said Sara. "It's nice to be recognized for the work you do!"

"Sara has done a great job in leading the efforts during freshman orientation season," said Tanisha Edwards, Senior Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Science. "She took up the charge in managing the event details and acting on feedback from the students and advising team. She has also excelled in her daily advising tasks through her initiative in learning about (and sharing) obscure campus resources, which is such a help to advisors when assisting students in underrepresented populations."

Before joining our outstanding advising staff at UNT in 2022, Sara received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Texas Woman's University and worked in various positions in advocacy and non-profit entities.

"While I didn't have experience in higher ed specifically, my previous positions all included a focus on helping or guiding the populations I was working with, which I have enjoyed in my role as academic advisor as well," she said.

In her student-focused role at UNT, Sara's day-to-day work revolves around meeting with undergrads and helping them determine the best path to achieving their academic goals. She said she enjoys being able to help them weigh their options and find satisfying solutions to their problems.

"They might come in with straight-forward questions about course sequencing or changing their major, but our conversations often include bigger discussions about their further education and life goals as well as the personal and structural setbacks they may have encountered," said Sara.

The College of Science advisors also handle a great deal of behind-the-scenes work including orientation prep, hosting workshops for various points of their undergraduate journey, and processing and approving their graduation applications. They also play an important role in commencement each semester.

"I always get choked up working the commencement ceremonies," said Sara. "Seeing the groups of families and friends celebrating as their student walks the stage is a joyful moment."

When she isn't at work, Sara enjoys spending time with her one-year-old "who grows leaps and bounds every single day." She has a treasure trove of fun stories from her first job in high school, where she worked at a large concert venue and saw many touring acts.

If you'd like to nominate a deserving staff member for the E=mc² award, please complete this nomination form.