Yvette Palmer, an academic advisor at the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education (CHASSE) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been awarded the Professional Advisor of the Year Award by the Arkansas Academic Advising Network (ArkAAN). This recognition was presented during the CHASSE spring drive-in meeting in May 2023.
Palmer has dedicated the past 14 years to supporting students at UA Little Rock. According to Sarah Haughenbury, the director of student services at CHASSE and the person who nominated Palmer for the award, her commitment to student success goes beyond the standard duties of an advisor. Haughenbury remarked that Palmer often attends student events, including concerts and other activities after work hours, demonstrating her genuine care for building relationships with students.
“Yvette has never been asked to do this. She happily chooses to do so,” Haughenbury stated. “This demonstrates that Yvette genuinely cares about building a rapport with her students and nurturing those connections.”
Palmer’s approach to advising reflects her dedication to student welfare. “I love being able to sit across the desk from university students and help them navigate campus life with the end goal of seeing them graduate,” she said. “It is extremely rewarding to be told that you were a part of such a significant milestone in the life of another person.”
In her role, Palmer primarily advises students majoring in arts and humanities, including art, theatre, and music. She takes pride in witnessing her students’ progress and achievements. “I am frequently astonished at how good our students are at their craft and how far they have progressed,” Palmer noted. “Genuinely caring about students, being knowledgeable of campus policy, and answering questions as quickly and efficiently as possible all play into being a good academic advisor.”
Palmer’s background significantly informs her advising philosophy. A native of Louisiana, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Louisiana College and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Before joining UA Little Rock, she worked for 17 years in various capacities within the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Louisiana State University campuses. This experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of student needs and the challenges they face.
Haughenbury praised Palmer’s exceptional work ethic, recalling a time when she managed an additional 200 students on her advisory roster during a staffing shortage. Despite this increase, Palmer maintained her high standard of care for each student. She plays a crucial role in guiding students through general education requirements before they transition to specialized advisors.
“She cares just as much about them at that time as she did when they were actively working with her,” Haughenbury added. Palmer also attends commencement ceremonies, reinforcing her commitment to student success.
Many students have expressed their gratitude for Palmer’s impact through an advisory satisfaction survey. One student noted that Palmer’s guidance positioned them for success, stating, “If everyone (me included) were as good at their jobs as she, the sky would be the limit. Please keep Yvette happy there, because she is a big asset to UA Little Rock’s programs and services.”
Palmer’s dedication extends to optional “check-in” appointments, which attract many students, even those who are commuters or non-traditional students balancing careers. Haughenbury attributes this to Palmer’s love for her work and her genuine concern for students.
In receiving the Professional Advisor of the Year Award, Palmer exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding academic advisor. Her commitment to fostering student success and her ability to connect with students make her a vital asset to the UA Little Rock community.
