This year, the University of Georgia recognizes four academic advisors as the recipients of the 2024-2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advising Awards. Lise Kalla, Alexandria Brock, Tashia Caughran, and Greg Kline were nominated by their supervisors and selected by a committee of three student representatives from the Student Government Association along with previous advising award winners.
Excellence in Advising Special Populations
Lise Kalla, Pre-Professional Advising Office
Lise Kalla
Lise Kalla has guided pre-dental and pre-optometry students and alumni since November 2021.
“She expertly challenges the idea of a rigid roadmap, empowering students to chart their own unique and successful course,” said Amanda Spohn, coordinator in the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Recently, Kalla helped develop a semester-long certificate program in collaboration with the Lamar Dodd School of Art. The program helps pre-dental students improve their hand-building skills – an important part of dentistry – through ceramics, printmaking, and jewelry metalwork.
She also initiated a collaboration with advisors and professionals from eight other Georgia colleges and universities to attract presentations from top-tier dental schools.
“Her tireless efforts to create programs, expand opportunities, and offer personalized support have had a profound impact on countless students at UGA,” said Spohn.
Kalla’s advising philosophy is centered on compassion and empowerment, and she works with students to remove common barriers such as a lack of confidence, being overwhelmed, or setting unrealistic time constraints.
“Her efforts are built on collaboration, empowerment, and deep engagement,” said Spohn. “She skillfully adapts her advising style to meet each student where they are, offering a thoughtful, personalized approach that inspires trust and empowers students to take full ownership of their academic and career aspirations.”
Kalla earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing at Auburn University, and her master’s in Health Planning and Administration at the University of Tennessee. She also earned an Education Specialist designation in Occupational Studies from the University of Georgia.
Outstanding Professional Advisor
Alexandria Brock, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Alexandria Brock
Alexandria Brock advises students in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Brock joined the academic advising team working as a Chemistry advisor in February 2022 and added Computer Science in the Fall of 2023.
“Alex has transformed the culture of Chemistry and earned the trust, respect, and admiration of the faculty, her advising colleagues, and most of all her students,” said Dr. Diane Miller, Director of Student Academic Services.
Brock also played an integral part in creating the Extracurricular Enrichment Committee in Chemistry, enhancing student retention, engagement, and belonging. Additionally, she coordinates the Kathy Bolt Pantry for students facing food insecurity and secured a Parent’s Leadership council grant to support it.
“Her empathy and encouragement helped me believe in myself when I needed it most,” said one student.
“Alex Brock was the reason I decided to switch to the chemistry major and the reason I stay in the major. She makes me feel seen, heard, and respected,” said another.
Brock’s advising philosophy begins with forming relationships. It is a priority for her to know each student personally and to foster these relationships through attending club meetings, poster sessions, research seminars, and other student activities. Furthermore, she believes in building a sense of community in chemistry majors and encourages them to become friends within their classes.
Miller said, “It is no accident that the words ‘kind,’ ‘kindness,’ or ‘kindest’ appear 19 times in her student comments.”
Brock earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Brenau University in 2016.
Outstanding New Advisor
Tashia Caughran, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Tashia Caughran
Tashia Caughran advises students in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in both Biochemistry and Molecular Biology .
“Her proficiency in both the art and science of academic advising at this early stage of her career is thoroughly impressive,” said Dr. Diane Miller, “but it is the heartfelt words of her students that speak most eloquently of her accomplishments.”
At UGA, Caughran has become a member of the Biochemistry Department Curriculum Committee, completed the Support Dawgs certificate, and is pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Academic Advising.
Students have described her as “a bedrock of support” and “a pillar of the Biochemistry department.” One student remarked, “Ms. Caughran completely changed the atmosphere of biochemistry advising. She remembers each student for their stories, their passions, and their involvement.”
Caughran’s philosophy stems from being a professor for eight years. She believes that every student has the ability to succeed, and her primary goal as both an educator and an advisor is to provide the necessary tools to encourage student success. She recognizes that many of her students are on the pre-med or pre-health pathway and that it’s easy for them to get burned out, so she encourages them as much as possible.
Caughran earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Mary Washington in 1992. In 1994, she received her Master of Science in Chemistry (Analytical) from the University of Georgia.
Outstanding Advising Administrator
Greg Kline, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Greg Kline
Greg Kline both advises and is a leader of advisors in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. He currently hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates a team of 14 academic advisors who oversee 2,500 students in 28 different majors across 14 academic departments. He also advises his own students in the Religion department each semester.
“The breadth and complexity of Greg’s current role is unmatched by any other advising-related position on campus,” said Dr. Diane Miller.
Kline began working for the University of Georgia as an Information Clerk in the Office of Academic Advising in 1998. Since then, he has held positions as a Residence Hall Staff Coordinator, Office Manager, Graduation Certification Advisor, and a Coordinator in the Graduation Certification Office.
During the past 10 years, he has worked on developing and implementing Franklin College’s current departmental advising model.
“Day after day and year after year, Greg continually strives to improve our office and his own contributions to better serve our staff and students,” said Miller. “His role requires constant creativity, thoughtful diplomacy, excellent judgment, and a massive amount of hard work, and he does an exceptional job of overseeing a challenging portfolio of responsibilities.”
Kline’s leadership philosophy is based on always treating employees with dignity and respect and expecting and supporting continuous improvement. Even after being a supervisor for over 25 years, he still believes there is more to learn as a leader, and he finds the pursuit both a humbling and fulfilling endeavor.
Kline earned his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia in 1993.