Lyons receives Provost’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advising

By: Michael Austin
Psychology

Congratulations to psychology professor Claire Lyons, recipient of the 2019 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advising! Lyons received this award in recognition of the quality of information, advice and support that she consistently and accessibly provides to her advisees. 

The Department of Psychology has many strong advisors who are familiar with the curriculum, but Lyons stands out in her ability to build and nurture relationships with her advisees. She regularly receives favorable comments from advisees that note her level of personal investment. She is often cited as being tremendously helpful and genuinely empathetic to student concerns during the advising process.

According to Kevin Apple, head of the psychology department, Lyons is passionate about advising. Because she knows her advisees well, she is able to provide them with the information they need. Lyons reviews academic plans, helps advisees find courses and advises on activities that will help build skills required for a variety of career paths. In addition, Lyons regularly sends her advisees information about events, internships and career opportunities. She goes above and beyond to provide accurate and useful information.

Lyons attributes a great deal of her advising achievement to being accessible to her advisees. She holds office hours in two different locations across campus and informs all of her advisees of her schedule at the start of each semester. She meets with students outside of these times as needed, and emails students at various times throughout the semester to check in. She answers emails within 24 hours and keeps a file on each advisee to remember specific things about them. Lyons wants to model a “caring professionalism” to demonstrate her commitment to her students. 

Lyons is a SafeZone member and has been active in progressing the department’s diversity plan. She wants to create a supportive atmosphere for students, in which she does not perpetuate any microaggressions. Although she teaches one of the largest classes on campus (PSYC 160: Life-span Human Development), with approximately 300 students per section, Lyons manages to create the type of welcoming environment that you may expect from a much smaller class. As a result, students routinely gather to talk with her before and after classes, and many from the class seek her out for advising.

Lyons is a dedicated, knowledgeable and supportive advisor. In recognition of the great value and achievement she brings to this role, Lyons will receive a $1000 honorarium.