Tate Award - Current Award Recipients

2024-2025 Tate Award Recipients

This year's awards were presented at the Tate Advising Conference on Thursday, March 6th, 2025. A recording of the award ceremony is available. The John Tate Awards are sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Education.

2025 John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

Kirsten Jean Collins

Senior Undergraduate Advisor, Family Social Science, CEHD, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Kirsten is recognized for her resourceful advocacy, skilled advising practices, exceptional compassion, and innovative programming. A colleague writes “Kirsten is first and foremost an ally to our students…Kirsten has an understanding of the hidden curriculum that goes far beyond many. Some of this comes from her personal experience as a first generation college student and much of it comes from her years of being highly attuned to the needs of her students…Her keen listening abilities create an environment where students can report out their questions and frustrations and Kirsten helps them to see beyond the barriers.”

Amy Gunter

Director of Academic Advising, College of Science & Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Amy is known for dedicated advising, engaged leadership, extensive collaboration, and deep knowledge used to address student needs. A colleague writes “Amy has been a remarkable force behind student support and success at every level when it comes to academic advising and improving student experiences and outcomes. During her 20+ years at the university she has grown from an exceptional advisor into a leader and is sought after counsel in the world of academic advising...She leads organizational changes, advocates for staff and student well- being, and serves as a resource for advancing advising across the institution.”

Ben Hansen

Associate Director for Employer Relations, Career & Internship Services: CCAPS, CDes, CFANS, Office for Student Affairs, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Ben is recognized for his approachable and humorous advising style, data-driven programming, and enrichment of career delivery systems. His nominator writes “Ben’s effectiveness with students individually stems from his empathy, active listening, and humble curiosity. These natural gifts, honed through practice, and delivered with a disciplined commitment to good counseling practices, hold transformative power and are especially impactful for those facing barriers to career development. Ben’s own experience as a first-gen student makes him a uniquely strong ally to students who are unfamiliar with educational and career systems.”

Susan Marie Snedker

Academic Advisor / Teaching Specialist, Student Success Center, Academic Affairs, University of Minnesota Crookston

Susan is lauded for her dedicated and compassionate advising, for leading campus-wide retention efforts, and for her extensive collaboration. A colleague writes “Susan’s efforts to find ways to improve herself and our campus, her dedication to student success and academic advising, and her willingness to take on projects to improve our student retention makes her outstanding… [She has] a keen eye for finding ways in which she and our campus can better meet the needs of our students…Without [her] leadership, we would likely not have retained as many students to our campus as we do each semester.”

Dr. Jennifer D. Webb

Associate Professor of Art History, Department of Art and Design, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth

Dr. Webb is recognized for her creating a students-first culture, for heartfelt advising, and for mentorship and role modeling. A colleague writes “Dr. Webb continuously shows up for students as a role model and mentor through a holistic, integrated, and purposeful advising approach. Not only does Dr. Webb provide caring advisement for academic success, retention, and degree completion, but she also guides students to learn and practice essential skills for a fulfilling experience here at UMD—wellbeing, resiliency, organization, communication, time management, research and creativity, and more.”