Cook, associate professor of design and coordinator of design and technology for The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance, has been honored with NACADA’s Certificate of Merit for outstanding advising in the Faculty Academic Advising category. Cook was recognized for her primary responsibility in teaching and spending a portion of her time providing academic advising services to students.

“It is certainly an honor to be recognized, especially given the company I was placed in for consideration,” Cook said.

The aspect of her role as an advisor that Cook finds most rewarding, she said, is “when everything finally ‘clicks’ into place for a student” and they find their path.

“Sometimes this occurs when they are still a student and sometimes it is after they’ve graduated and been working for a year or two, but it is always a celebration moment for me when they hit their stride,” Cook said.

Earlier this year, Cook was honored with Southeast’s Outstanding Academic Advisor Award. Nominees for Southeast’s Advising Awards must hold Master Advisor designation. Cook was recognized for her efforts to develop a strong rapport with student advisees and support students in their path to graduation.

Amanda Eller, assistant director of Academic Advising at Southeast, said Cook embodies the qualities of a Master Advisor through the positive relationships she creates with students and the promotion of developmental advising while maintaining a true understanding of the importance of academic advising.

“I’m so excited that Professor Amber Marisa Cook received a Certificate of Merit in Faculty Advising from NACADA,” Eller said. “She is so deserving of this NACADA designation and should be recognized for her commitment to academic advising and her students. Professor Cook does a wonderful job with outreach to her students and advisees, making sure they have relevant and timely information. It is evident from the many comments made by her students that she goes above and beyond to accommodate their needs and concerns.”

As an advisor it’s important to know that student success looks different for everyone, Cook said.

“It isn’t simply academic or artistic or even a combination of the two,” she said. “To me, a student success story is about growth, which looks different for each person, but my hope is always the same end result: one where the individual is open, learns, accepts and grows from critical feedback, and can feel confident in facing challenges and making decisions on their own, and this extends to everyday life and simply being a good citizen.”

Although she will not attend the awards ceremony in person, Cook will be honored on Oct. 6, during the 2021 NACADA Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati.

Established in 1983, the NACADA Global Awards Program for Academic Advising honors individuals and institutions making significant impact on academic advising. NACADA is a representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education. The Association has more than 13,000 members.