Gundecha Wins Top Advising Award

Lindsay Gundecha, a senior academic advisor in the Undergraduate Program, is a recipient of the 2022-23 John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising.

Gundecha is one of four advisors across campus to win the University-wide award, one of the highest honors an academic advisor can receive.

"By building long-lasting connections with students and colleagues, advocating, appropriately challenging, and supporting her students, and creating and organizing appropriate resources and providing consultation for colleagues, Lindsay embodies the role of an academic advisor," said Brooke Arnold, director of advising and student affairs in the Undergraduate Program and Gundecha's supervisor in nominating her. "Through empathetically and respectfully listening to her students, providing compassion, partnering in problem-solving, and sharing collegiate, campus, and community resources, her students quickly develop trust in her. She lifts students up in the challenging times, providing care, a safe space, resources, and encouragement, and she celebrates with students as they accomplish wins, both big and small, with high fives, cheers, and hugs."

In 17 years at the Carlson School, Gundecha has advocated for significant changes to better serve students, including an updated grading policy and establishing a gender-neutral bathroom in Hanson Hall. She also has supported more resources for mental health. "I am not afraid to ask students about their overall mental well-being, and this has allowed students to share their genuine and significant challenges, including suicide ideation, self-harm, and depression," wrote Gundecha in a personal statement as part of her nomination. "I let them know they are not alone, and I share a network of support and resources. I am dedicated to ensuring each student feels seen, heard, safe, and empowered when they work with me."

The John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising is named in honor of John Tate, professor of Physics and the first dean of University College (1930-41). The Tate Awards serve to recognize and reward high-quality academic advising. They call attention to the contribution academic advising makes to helping students formulate and achieve intellectual, career, and personal goals. By highlighting examples of outstanding advising, the Tate Awards identify professional models and celebrate the role that academic advising plays in the University’s educational mission.

Gundecha, and the other award recipients (4 total), will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, March 2, from 10 to 11 a.m.