By Whitney Hale
(Feb. 19, 2016) — University of Kentucky's Jennifer Ellis and Scoobie Ryan received the 21st annual Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Awards at a luncheon held Feb. 12.
Ken Freedman, the award's namesake, was one of the founders of the UK Advising Network in 1986 and served as a professional advisor at UK until his death in 2001. Each year, the Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award is presented by the UK Advising Network to one full-time professional advisor and one faculty advisor for outstanding service.
Ellis was selected as the 2016 professional advisor winner and Ryan was selected as the faculty advisor winner from fields of 64 and 32 candidates, respectively. In addition to the award, each advisor was presented a $500 professional development voucher from the UK Division of Undergraduate Education to be used for attending a national or regional advising conference.
A professional academic advisor at UK College of Arts and Sciences, Ellis was praised by fellow advisors and students alike for her knowledge in the field and her devotion. "She has completely impacted my UK experience and my future. If it were not for her, I would not be a biology major. If it were not for her genuine belief in me, I probably would have changed my future occupation by this point in my academic career. I owe a large part of my success and determination to Jennifer," said biology junior Corrin Pelini.
Ellis was honored to be recognized for her work by UK students. "When I received the phone call, I was shocked. I could not believe it! This award has more meaning than any other professional nomination/award because it’s from the student’s perspective. Once I was over my initial shock, I began reflecting on my years of service and the overall feeling of gratitude began. I am grateful to be in the position where I can encourage others."
Ryan, an associate professor in the UK School of Journalism and Telecommunications, has served on the Kentucky High School Journalism Association Advisory Council since its inception and became the state's director of the Journalism Education Association director in August 2000. She’s reported and produced broadcast news in Indianapolis, Boston and Denver. Ryan also taught and advised publications at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia.
Ryan's love for working with students is evident. Many feel she treats them as if they are her own children going beyond the call of an excellent advisor. "Scoobie has helped to make my UK experience what I dreamed it would be. Her help and guidance have made it easier for me to focus on learning and not have to worry about the things that should be simple, like scheduling classes. Without Scoobie Ryan I would have been more stressed, relying on myself and missing an opportunity to learn outside the classroom. I cannot fully explain how much Scoobie has meant to me during my time on campus. She is more than my advisor. She is a teacher, a role model and a friend," said 2015 journalism graduate Casey Parker-Bell.
Ryan was pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of love students shared for her as their advisor. "It was very humbling to win the award. I was touched that so many of my students took the time to write such nice things about me."
Advising gives Ryan another opportunity to work with her students and get to know them outside of class. "It’s rewarding to see them grow. Journalism is a tough work. They really come into their own as they progress through our major. All of our faculty play a big part in that process."
As Freedman Award recipients, Ellis and Ryan will be nominated by UK for the Region 3 Excellence in Advising Award and the National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advising Award.
The UK Advising Network is sponsored by the Division of Undergraduate Education. Membership in the Advising Network is open to anyone employed at the University of Kentucky. To receive a weekly digest of campus announcements, alerts regarding changes in academic advising, Advising Network events and other news, email Jennifer Doerge.