Eleven College of Arts and Sciences staff members have been honored by Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students with the 2023 President’s Meritorious Service Award, Texas A&M’s highest recognition for staff.
Andrew J. Gibson ‘94, program manager for Transition Academic Programs, is among 26 staff members announced April 17 by Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks as this year’s individual honorees. In addition, the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Advising and Operations Team (Jacob Clough ’24, Christine Farris ’92, Terri Ferguson, Amber Greer, Julia Jakab, Antonio Knox, Allison Rivera ’25, Kaileigh Roan, Roxanna Russell ’89 and Sara Thigpin ’08) is one of two teams recognized for 2023.
Gibson and the Arts and Sciences advising team were celebrated along with their fellow 2023 PMSA recipients on Monday (April 24) during an invitation-only University Awards Ceremony hosted by Dr. Banks in the Memorial Student Center’s Bethancourt Ballroom. Each received a $1,000 award, a commemorative plaque and a lapel pin.
“This award is a true testament to the energy and determination our staff showed in readying the new college to serve students with the highest levels of excellence,” said Associate Dean for Student Success Dr. Leroy G. Dorsey. “Well done, indeed.”
Established in 1986, the President’s Meritorious Service Awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding staff employees, two outstanding teams and two outstanding supervisors for their meritorious service to the university. The program, which is sponsored by the Office of the President and The Association of Former Students, is coordinated by the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness.
Gibson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Texas A&M in 1995, has more than 16 years of service to the university as an academic advisor, a role in which his goal is to help students understand how their talents and skills connect to majors that will assist them in meeting their career goals. Since 2021, he has served as program manager for the TAP Explore Program, where his vast professional experience in wholesale business, mutual funds, and the camping and retreats industry provides a solid foundation from which to work with students who are in between majors at Texas A&M.
Clough is an academic advisor IV in the Arts and Science Undergraduate Education Office, where he enjoys helping students find solutions to their circumstances. He received a Master of Divinity and a master’s in bioethics in 2015 and currently is a Ph.D. student in educational administration at Texas A&M. In addition, he is a previous recipient of a 2021 President’s Award for Academic Advising.
Farris is an assistant director of advising, a role in which she oversees the advising units in biomedical sciences and for the legacy College of Science majors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and master’s in educational administration from Texas A&M in 1993 and 2003, respectively, and spent the previous 20 years as director of undergraduate programs in the Department of Biology. Farris has been with the university since 1986, when she started as a student worker in the Registrar’s Office while still in high school.
Ferguson is an administrative associate IV with 16 years of university service. A compassionate supporter of faculty, staff and students, she is always willing to lend a helping hand and is known for being an advocate, a smiling face to all and a welcoming presence in the Academic Operations office.
Greer is an administrative coordinator I with more than a decade of service to Texas A&M. She received her associate’s degree in 1995 and is quick to serve the needs of students and staff across the college, where she says she looks forward to the years to come.
Jakab is an assistant director of advising with nine years of service to Texas A&M. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Texas in 2002 and her master’s in theological studies from the University of Dallas in 2012. Jakab has dedicated herself to be a support for academic advisors, earning a reputation as “the advisor’s advisor.” Her goal as an assistant director for advising has been to model how to advise well and provide accurate, timely care and information for students.
Knox was an academic advisor III who helped to create an integrated college-wide classroom scheduling process. His primary focus was to elevate best practices to reach all Arts and Sciences students.
Rivera is the director of advising with a decade of university service in various academic advising roles. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in literature and theater history from The Ohio State and currently is a Ph.D. candidate in educational administration at Texas A&M. Prior to joining the Texas A&M staff, Allison worked in arts and community education in San Diego. She is passionate about student and staff development, retention and lifelong learning.
Roan is an academic advisor IV with more than a decade of service to the university. She is an Aggie Ally facilitator, the instructor for the LGBTQ+ Pride Hullabaloo U sessions and staff advisor for Freshmen Leading in Acceptance, Kindness and Equality (FLAKE). She received a double bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology with a minor in women’s studies from Texas State University in 2008 as well as a master’s degree in educational administration focused on higher education leadership from Tarleton State University. She currently is a Ph.D. candidate in health education at the Texas A&M School of Public Health with certificates in women’s and gender studies, advanced research methods and maternal and child health.
Russell is an assistant director for advising with 21 years of service to Texas A&M. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M in 1989 and began her advising career in 2003, spending three years with the Department of Biology prior to moving to the former College of Geosciences, where she centralized the advising team and coordinated moving all paper to Laserfiche in an effort to ensure better access to documents, should the advising staff need to confirm information on or for students. She is a team player, tries to find more efficient ways to work and enjoys working closely with students, staff and faculty.
Thigpin, who recently began a new role as associate director of admissions within the Office of Admissions, was director of academic operations and has 19 years of service to the university. She received her bachelor’s degree in health from Texas A&M in 2008 and currently is a Ph.D. candidate in educational administration at Texas A&M. In addition to being part of the team that worked to consolidate undergraduate services under the new college, Thigpin played a critical prior role in establishing the university-wide First Year Experience for all first time in college students. She previously was recognized with a 2017 President’s Meritorious Service Award as well as a 2020 College of Science Outstanding Staff Achievement Award.
See a complete list of winners and find additional information about the program.
