Donna Malaski wins OU’s top academic adviser award

Donna Malaski has been awarded this year's Outstanding Professional Advising Award.

Donna Malaski, an adviser in Oakland University’s Department of Human Resource Development, has received the 2010-2011 Outstanding Professional Advising Award.

“This is an amazing honor for any adviser to receive,” Malaski said. “I’m very excited, very honored – and surprised.”

Malaski joined OU in 2000 and worked in the university’s Academic Advising Resource Center until 2003, when she went to Human Resource Development. She is the lone adviser for the department, and works with about 300 students. She also teaches in the department.

“Students and alumni make my life interesting every day,” she said with a laugh.

Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the award recognizes extraordinary mentoring relationships, development of strong leadership skills, contributions to creating new programs and high student satisfaction.

The selection committee for the award includes the dean of student life, senior associate provost, faculty representatives from each of OU’s colleges and schools and the student body president. Committee chair is Carmen Etienne, winner of the 2009-2010 advising award.

Malaski received her award at an April reception.