Congratulations to the 2026 Advising, Career Services & Learning Support Community Award Recipients!
On May 11, more than 250 members of the Advising, Career Services, and Learning Support communities gathered in Varsity Hall at Union South to celebrate another successful academic year. It was filled with laughter, and gave us all a chance to reconnect after a busy season.
During the event, we also recognized outstanding individuals through our annual awards, celebrating the meaningful contributions they’ve made to our campus community.
The room was filled with energy as colleagues cheered for one another and reflected on the impact each person has had over the past year. While this work can be challenging, the event served as a powerful reminder of just how essential these communities are to the success and well-being of our students. At the end of the event, attendees had a chance to celebrate each other by sharing shout-outs—check out the collection of kind words that were shared 💕
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients—and to everyone who shows up each day ready to make a difference. Thank you for all that you do!
2026 Award Winners
Below, you’ll find this year’s award winners recognized at the Spring Celebration & Awards Ceremony—along with a few words from the folks who nominated them about why their work truly stands out!
Outstanding Student Employee Awards
Riya Cherukuri
School of Business
“Through her professionalism and commitment to supporting her peers, Riya has shaped a culture where students feel empowered to pursue their goals with confidence. The students she has mentored – and the ones who will benefit from the example she set – are a testament to the enduring mark she leaves on the school.”
Ashlyn Vosters & Tatyana Wagner
PEOPLE
“In investing so deeply in collaboration and their relationship with one another, they have not only functioned at an incredibly high level, but set a foundation for future pairings in this role, solving a structural barrier that has long challenged the work of the PEOPLE Writing Center.”
Adrian Jauregui
Mercile J Lee
“Adrian not only met the expectations we set before him but will be leaving this team better than he found it. The reason why Adrian’s so beloved by his fellow scholars is because he brings out the best in everyone he meets.”
Early Career Excellence Awards
Priscilla
Contreras
Center for Academic Excellence
“According to her students, Priscilla is incredibly organized, proactive, and communicates with students regularly with tips, strategies and important reminders. In addition, she is very intentional about helping students find their community at UW- Madison.”
Adriana Hernandez
Mercile J Lee
“Adriana’s career aspiration is deeply rooted in her values of promoting education, accessibility, and empowering all students and all communities. When you meet her, she is a warm and welcoming individual for all students, campus partners, parents, faculty, and staff.”
Tyler Kuehl
Cross-College Advising Service
The award nominators shared feedback from an advisee’s experience with Tyler: “When I first came to UW-Madison, I was overwhelmed. Tyler didn’t just do what I expected from an advisor, he went above and beyond. Without Tyler, I wouldn’t be at UW-Madison today. He helped me through a time when I felt like I was sinking, offering not just advice, but true support.”
Community Leadership Awards
Ryan Grady
Center for Educational Opportunity
“Ryan’s precision advising and holistic mentorship empower scholars to excel academically and professionally. He always implements a four-year plan for every scholar and with his ongoing inclusive advising, he has significantly increased scholar participation in high-impact opportunities, including national research presentations, elevating both student achievement and the visibility of the CeO program.”
Kimberly Vue
PEOPLE
“When challenges arise, Kim takes the time to challenge assumptions, explore creative solutions, and invite feedback. She is the first person to ask “who are we not considering?” She is empathetic and pragmatic, with the perfect balance of due process vs. getting things done.”
Collaborative Impact Awards
Stephanie Scholze & Hannah Hatlan-Atwell
Psychology & School of Human Ecology
“Stephanie and Hannah’s collaborative approach and support of students transformed this anxiety-inducing process of graduate school exploration into an empowering journey of discovery for students.”
Molly Censky & Maddi Mara
School of Nursing & Kinesiology
“Maddi and Molly’s partnership is a clear example of the impact that thoughtful, cross-departmental collaboration can have on the student experience. By combining their expertise and working closely together, they have improved processes, strengthened communication, and helped create a more supportive pathway for students while building stronger connections between the Department of Kinesiology and the School of Nursing.”
Outstanding Achievement Awards
Amihan Huesmann
Center for Academic Excellence
“Amihan has always made me feel super comfortable. I have never felt like I had to hesitate to reach out, and they always go above and beyond not only as a mentor and supervisor but as a CAE advisor to students. This is my favorite job I’ve ever had, and I definitely think Amihan has contributed a lot to this positive experience.”
Cory Sprinkel
Morgridge Center for Public Service
“Cory exemplifies the Wisconsin Idea through his daily actions. Through mentorship, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to bringing people together, Cory strengthens the culture of community-engaged work at UW–Madison, impacting both individual students and the broader campus community.”
Amy Bertrand
School of Human Ecology
“Amy Bertrand is an exceptionally gifted and valued advisor, mentor, and colleague. She is extremely kind and helpful in all of her interactions, and her interest in students’ wellbeing is both sincere and unwavering.”
Keystone Awards
Randall K. Wentz
L&S Deans Service
“Randall is indispensable because he quietly prevents problems before they become a crisis. He is rigorous about accuracy, has excellent judgment, and is consistently helpful, friendly, and dependable. That combination of high competence and high trust is rare, and it is exactly what makes the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of advising work so well.”
Kate Patten
L&S Successworks
“Kate consistently brings reliability, follow‐through, and a collaborative spirit to every project she touches. Her work often happens behind the scenes, yet its impact is unmistakable: smoother operations, stronger programs, and a more aligned and effective team.”
Campus Partner Award
McBurney Disability Resource Center
Each year, the Office of Academic & Career Success chooses a campus partner to recognize and honor for their contributions to the Advising, Career Services, and Learning Support Communities! The McBurney Center’s generous spirit of collaboration and commitment to strategic partnerships has made a profound impact across our communities in countless ways. Time and again, their staff have shown a dedication to supporting advising, career services, and learning support staff in many ways. Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success—we look forward to gathering with you all again this fall.
Check out some of the fun photos taken at the event below, and view the whole event gallery here!
