Posted on April 9, 2002 at 4:11 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) recently honored its top academic advisors during the 2002 Advising Recognition Program Awards ceremony held April 5 at the Humanities Building.

UAB presented the awards to recognize individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with the outstanding academic advising of undergraduate students.

The winners, who were selected by a five-member committee, will compete for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) award later this spring.

Christina Borgford-Summerlin, Ph.D., of Hoover, received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and is responsible for advising more than 130 chemistry majors. She is the chair-elect of the American Chemical Society’s Alabama section and is credited for redeveloping a student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society at UAB.

Borgford-Summerlin worked to expand the chemistry department’s awards program and played a key role on the Pre-Health Faculty Advisory Committee. She was instrumental in developing two new courses, an MCAT prep course and a medical co-op experience that serves students from all majors. She also assumed the leadership for implementing a workshop for freshmen interested in careers in medicine, dentistry and optometry. Borgford-Summerlin has worked at UAB for six years.

Paul Clay Rowell, M.A., of Alabaster, received the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award. Rowell is an academic advisor for approximately 350 students in the Division of General Studies. He has been an active member of the Committee on Academic Advising at UAB and is chairman of the steering committee. He has presented numerous programs on advising at the local, state and national levels and is the Southeast Region Four liaison for the NACADA Technology in Advising Commission.

Rowell developed a program that helps students who are exploring career options to examine their values, personality traits, life goals and academic interests. He also developed a student kiosk where students can obtain information about various majors and e-mail their advisors.

In addition, Rowell edits “Bridging the Gap,” a semi-annual newsletter for general studies students. He is the 2001 recipient of the NACADA Scholarship for advisors pursuing graduate education and was recently named as the UAB counseling education program’s Ed.S. “Student of the Year.” Rowell has worked at UAB for nearly four years.