Oakland University honors two academic advisers with 2026 advising excellence awards

Two dedicated advisers at Oakland University have been recognized for their exceptional commitment to student success, earning top advising honors for 2026.

Jade Dang, senior academic adviser in the First Year Advising Center, has received the 2026 Patrick C. Bennett Outstanding Professional Academic Advising Award, while Paige Gibson, academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding New Academic Adviser Award.

The awards were announced recently during the Professional Advisers Council (PAC) meeting on April 8. Both honorees will be formally recognized at the Exemplary Awards Celebration this summer.

"Jade and Paige exemplify the outstanding work that our advisers do each day to positively impact our students, our campus community, and the advising profession," said Neil Baumgartner, associate vice president of student success and advising at OU. "They are well deserving of this recognition based on their contributions and accomplishments, and we are excited to honor them with these important campus awards."

Honoring outstanding professional advising

The Patrick C. Bennett Outstanding Professional Academic Advising Award is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates excellence in advising and a sustained commitment to student success. The award is named in honor of Patrick C. Bennett, who served as an advising coordinator and academic adviser at Oakland University for 30 years.

Dang has served as an academic adviser and senior academic adviser in the First Year Advising Center for more than five years. Students consistently describe her as approachable, kind and attentive, noting her ability to turn overwhelming information into clear, manageable next steps.

She is known for going beyond answering questions, following up with thoughtful and detailed guidance so students feel confident long after their meetings. One student shared that even after they were no longer officially assigned to Dang, she paused her work to offer help simply because she cared.

Behind the scenes, Dang is regarded as a collaborative leader who strengthens advising practices and supports colleagues. She identified a need for stronger connections among advisers and created opportunities for professional collaboration and idea-sharing across campus.

Her commitment to professional growth includes regular participation in organizations such as NACADA and MIACADA, as well as professional development workshops, webinars and conferences. She also contributes to campus initiatives, including involvement with the Oakland University Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group and mentoring initiatives that support both students and fellow advisers.

Dang is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at Oakland University.

Recognizing excellence in new advising professionals

The Outstanding New Academic Adviser Award recognizes an adviser with three or fewer years of professional advising experience who demonstrates exceptional dedication to students and the university community.

Gibson has served as an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences for two years and is known for creating an environment where students feel seen, heard and empowered. She manages a caseload of more than 400 students while maintaining a highly personalized, high-touch advising style.

In addition to her advising role, Gibson serves as a lecturer in the Department of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations, bringing a unique dual perspective that bridges classroom learning with academic planning.

Her innovative approach to advising includes developing student-friendly resources and leveraging social media to expand outreach and engagement. She has also played a key role in organizing large-scale academic events and expos, while collaborating closely with colleagues to enhance team success.

Students credit Gibson with helping them move from uncertainty to opportunity. One student described their journey as going from "stagnant to unstoppable" as a direct result of her guidance and support.

Gibson is also actively involved in university-wide initiatives, including leadership in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in higher education, and advocacy for inclusive, student-centered systems that support holistic student success. Despite beginning her advising career at Oakland University in 2024, she quickly earned Adviser of the Month recognition within just over a year.

Celebrating dedication to student success

Both awards highlight the critical role academic advisers play in supporting students' academic journeys and long-term success. Through personalized guidance, collaboration and innovation, Dang and Gibson exemplify the mission-driven work that strengthens the student experience at Oakland University.