December 8, 2022
Advisor Forum presents December Charlie Award
The K-State Advisor Forum announces Todd "T.J." Duntz, academic advisor in the College of Education, has been selected for the December Charlie Award.
Duntz was nominated for this award by his colleagues because of his exceptional service to undergraduate students in the College of Education and his service to the greater advising community.
"It is my privilege to recommend Mr. Todd 'T.J.' Duntz for the Charlie Award," said Duntz's nominator, Roger Schieferecke, assistant dean in the College of Education. "I oversee the Center for Student Success, which houses the academic advisors within the College of Education. T.J. is an outstanding candidate for this award because of his relentless effort to engage and support his students from their first day as an EDCAT, through to graduation."
Duntz establishes a relationship with his students early as he actively participates in recruitment events to promote K-State to future teachers. These events include those targeting high school students as well as prospective transfer students. Each population requires a unique approach and Duntz is very successful at connecting with all prospective students. These early connections are important as it strengthens his relationship with his advisees much sooner than traditional methods.
Duntz's teaching background is evident in the relationships with his advisees. He approaches each interaction as a unique opportunity to make a positive difference. He makes it a point to learn about his advisee's academic, social and emotional background as that information helps to prepare an individual road map for each student to achieve success.
The most powerful indicator of the quality of Duntz's advising is heard through the voices of his advisees. When speaking to his students, common threads emerge that highlight Duntz as a caring, dedicated and accessible advisor; an advisor who invests in his students; an advisor who advocates for his students.
In addition to working with students on a daily basis, Duntz also oversees the admission to teacher education process, serves on the college's Student Affairs committee, and is heavily involved in the university's Advisor Forum. These experiences enhance his daily work with students.
Duntz was also nominated for this award by Rebecca Dale and Lindsey Cordill, co-chairs of the Advisor Forum Leadership Team. In their nomination they write, "As a member of the Advisor Forum Leadership Team as the technology chair, T.J. has been instrumental in promoting the Advisor Forum to the greater advising community at K-State. His idea of how to promote the Advisor Forum meetings in the K-State Today has helped increase attendance. He has made the meetings more accessible to the advising community who cannot attend the meetings by recording them and making them available in a timely manner. He's a champion for the advising community and has enhanced the Advisor Forum's reach to the university, which improves student success."
The Advisor Forum thanks Duntz for his work and congratulates him on this award.
For more information on the Charlie Award or to learn how to nominate someone, please visit the Recognition page on the Office of Student Success website. Nominations are accepted year-round and can be received from anyone across campus. Once a nomination is received, it remains an active nomination for one full year. One award will be given out at the beginning of each month. The Advisor Forum Committee will make the decision and deliver awards.