20-year OU staffer named an outstanding advisor

Renee Ligeski, an academic adviser in the Department of Communication and Journalism, has earned the 2013-2014 Outstanding Professional Advising Award.

Over the past 20 years, Ligeski has advised students in Oakland University's School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, School of Business Administration and College of Arts and Sciences. She currently serves as a part-time adviser for communication majors. In this position, Ligeski advises current majors and minors, prospective students and students changing their major to communication.

Ligeski received her master's degree in counseling from OU in 1994 and is always seeking ways to improve student services. One of her first contributions was representing the School of Nursing on a committee to assist with the student records conversion to the Banner system prior to 2000.

“While I worked on a very small piece of an enormous project, it was gratifying to have a role … and quickly become fluent in the new system, which is still in use today,” Ligeski said.

In 2010, she received an Administrative Professional Award in recognition of an early student graduation system she developed and implemented for communication majors. She also helped with a major curriculum revision which took place in 2012.

Reflecting on her career, she estimates holding 10,000 academic advising appointments and interacting with thousands of students on campus and at extension sites in Birmingham, Clinton Township and Detroit.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award and thankful to the students who nominated me.” Ligeski said.

“I'm grateful to have so many colleagues who share my passion for assisting students as they pursue their academic and career goals. The greatest part of my job is the pride and joy I feel as each of my amazing students joins me as proud alumni of Oakland University.”

Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Outstanding Professional Advising 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 Interim vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, the senior associate provost, faculty representatives from OU's schools and college, and the Student Body vice president. The committee chair is Julie Dermidoff, winner of the 2012-13 advising award.

Ligeski will receive her award at an April reception.

Oakland University is a vibrant academic community with more than 20,000 students and more than 260 degree and certificate programs. To learn more about academics, achievements, and events at OU, visit the news site at oakland.edu/newsatou and follow the news team on Twitter at @OaklandU_News.