vital contributor to the improvement of the University�s academic advisement ratings, J. Philippe Abraham has been called an �unsung hero� for his work in the Advisement Services Center.

Abraham joined the Advisement Services Center in 1989. He is now the associate director of the ASC. An instructor in the former Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies since 1984, Abraham worked for several years in the Educational Opportunities Program, both as a teacher and as a supervisor of tutors. His work with the Office of Disabled Student Services was rewarded with the Disabled Student Services Achievement Award in 1993.

Gifted with a �magical� touch when dealing with students, Abraham is responsible for coordinating the assignment of new undergraduates, freshmen and transfers for academic advisement and for providing faculty and professional advisers with the necessary materials and academic records of students. He supervises the student assistants and plays a major role in trouble-shooting at every orientation.

Known for his �sixth sense� when working with students, Abraham said he tries to balance being an academic adviser with being a friend, mentor, confessor and confidant. Based on the support of many of his students, he has done just that. A unanimous choice for his award by the selection committee, Abraham has served as chair of the search committee for an Assistant Director of Residential Life, and has been a member of several committees formed to enrich the lives of students, such as the College of Fine Arts Committee. He was the scholarship adviser to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

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Excellence Awards       University at Albany