Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
2009 Award Winners
Cindy Pavlowski
Undergraduate Advisor, School of Social Work (CEHD)
In her 24 years at the University of Minnesota, Cindy Pavlowski has empowered thousands of students to envision and achieve their educational goals. From her days as a Family Social Science undergraduate here at the University, Cindy traveled along a rich and diverse career path which took her through different colleges and units to her current role as Undergraduate Academic Adviser in the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development. Cindy’s experience comes with a depth of wisdom and expertise that is held in the highest regard by the advising community and beyond. Her knowledge and service have built a strong foundation from which, as a colleague in the School of Social Work shared, “there is seldom, if ever, an issue or concern of an individual student, or, for that matter, a program level issue or task, that she is not able to address by drawing on her many yeas of knowledge about systems, resources, and people at the University.”
Throughout her career, Cindy has built important connections between students, faculty, staff, and resources at the University and she leverages them to the benefit of students. One of Cindy’s advisees described going in for her first advising appointment with Cindy after a 12 year hiatus from school. “I was greeted with a smile, a genuine interest in who I was and a willingness to explore what I wanted out of school. The meeting was followed by an event in which Cindy introduced peers, professors and administrators in an open and casual conversation and setting.” She goes on to say, “Cindy has been a key advocate in helping to assemble and connect a passionate and diverse academic community.” Cindy fosters this type of community environment by scheduling regular visits to all of the undergraduate courses in her programs. Her presence also extends beyond the office and normal advising responsibilities; she frequently attends related lectures and events, and provides valuable guidance and support to student groups. Cindy is also an active citizen in the broader University Of Minnesota and has Co-Chaired the Academic Advising Network and her wisdom and consultation are sought by faculty and staff throughout campus who know the depth of her integrity, trust her perspective, and enjoy her quick-witted sense of humor.
Cindy’s joy and passion for advising build on her strong commitment to serve all students. She is especially talented at supporting students who are non-traditional, at-risk, first-generation, and/or students of color. Cindy’s advising experience, gained first in General College and expanded upon through her eleven years advising student-athletes in the McNamara Academic Center, gives her, as one faculty colleague puts it, a “keen ability to work with each student in a developmental process that is appropriate and unique to that student. Over and over I hear students express appreciation for her ability to focus on their unique needs, and this ability stands out profoundly to students who are part of such a large, complex institution.” Cindy clearly cares deeply for the students she serves, and while her colleagues around campus agree her compassion is unparalleled, they know she is no pushover. She “expects student to make measureable, timely progress toward graduation. Students leave her office with concrete action plans, knowledgeable about the resources, and inspired to imagine new possibilities such as study abroad or graduate school.”
Colleagues in the School of Social Work point to the critical role Cindy has played in the new Youth Studies Program, the first undergraduate degree offered in the 90-year history of the School and the formation of which coincided with the formation of the new College of Education and Human Development. When describing the enormous challenges and cultural shifts involved in this transition, the director of the program stated, “I can clearly say that her expertise, guidance, wisdom, and skill have been the central and irreplaceable ingredients in the growth and success we have had.” The program has seen remarkable growth through her promotion and recruitment efforts, increasing from 6 students in fall semester 2007 to 58 students now in spring semester, 2009.”
As one of her colleagues so perfectly puts it, “Cindy is a solid leader who exudes true joy and a passion for what she does. Simply put, she loves what she does and it shows.”
Cindy, we are proud to honor your enormous contributions.