Lindsay Snyder, assistant director of undergraduate affairs at James Madison College, received the Sustained Excellence in Advising Award at MSU’s Academic Advisor Recognition and Awards ceremony in late February.
The award celebrates exceptional academic advisors who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to supporting students, guiding them through significant milestones and successes.
A Madison alum, Snyder (SR ’03) has dedicated more than 16 years of service to the college. She joined JMC as the college’s recruitment coordinator, a role that included serving as a first-year academic advisor. Four years of supporting the Dean’s Office as executive staff assistant gave Snyder crucial insight into college operations and the opportunity to build relationships with faculty and college leadership. She returned to academic advising in 2016 and was promoted to her current role in 2019.
“What truly sets Lindsay apart is her innovative spirit in student support,” wrote JMC Dean Cameron Thies in support of Snyder’s nomination. “She consistently finds creative ways to meet students where they are, and her work exemplifies the transformative power of dedicated academic advising.”
Snyder’s approach to advising emphasizes student empowerment and keeps student needs at the center of all decision-making, noted Emelia Hammond, JMC’s assistant director of student initiatives and a member of the college’s advising team.
Hammond led the nomination process in partnership with staff and faculty, highlighting Snyder’s dedication to student success and unique ability to innovate on existing processes to better support Madison students.
One of Snyder’s most impactful initiatives was the creation of JMC’s Drop-In Advising Center, which allows the college to better support students with urgent needs and those who benefit from a more flexible advising model. This effort required shuffling multiple staff office spaces, which spoke to the team’s trust in Snyder’s work and vision. In its first year, the advising center saw a 38% increase in student appointments.
“Observing her ability to acknowledge a hardship and then proceed to explore student-focused responses serves as such a strong inspiration, keeping me motivated to come ready to deliver my best each day,” wrote Hammond. “She always speaks to everyone’s strengths and helps us all feel a sense of confidence in our pursuits.”
Key Initiatives in Supporting Student Success
- Snyder led the creation of JMC’s Drop-In Express Advising Center, which increased student appointments by 38% in its first year, making advising more accessible to students with urgent needs.
- She brought innovative new strategies to New Student Orientation that engage students before and during their introduction to the college (notably during COVID remote semesters).
- Snyder brings a holistic, student-centered approach to advising that considers each student's unique circumstances, focusing on long-term success rather than just immediate questions.
- Since Snyder became JMC’s lead advisor in 2016, JMC's 4-year graduation rate increased from 71% to 77% (one of the highest at the university).
- With the support of the college’s advising team, Snyder helped redesign JMC’s First-Year Mentor Program, which pairs incoming students with upper-level peer mentors within the college. This year’s pilot program has met or exceeded all initial benchmarks.