Adviser wins national award

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The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) each year honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic advising. There were just 11 winners chosen across the nation, and a University of Toledo adviser made that short list.

Wiona D. Porath, academic program coordinator in the UT Department of Bioengineering, was selected as a National Outstanding Advising Award winner in the academic advising — primary role category. She will be honored this summer at the NACADA National Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

“This award is all about my students,” Porath said. “My students are very engaged and recognize that staff can also affect their college careers positively.”

Students Kelly Marbaugh, Marcus Sinewe and Hoangha Dao nominated Porath for the recognition.

Without the help of those UT students, Porath said winning the award would not be possible. She also thanked Dr. Scott Molitor, associate professor of bioengineering and undergraduate program director, for his mentorship.

“Dr. Molitor has been a great friend and mentor. His guidance has played a major part in my life,” she said.

Porath, who also received the UT Outstanding Adviser Award in 2010, is the second person from UT to receive the NACADA award; Nancy Lapp was recognized with the honor in 2005.

When asked where the NACADA Award sits on her list of life achievements, she said, “Professionally, it sits close to the top, but my daughter, Jennifer, just graduated from UT in the spring, and I am more proud of that.”

For more information on the NACADA Award, click here.