White receives Award For Administrative Excellence

Eric R. White

University Park, Pa. -- Eric R. White, executive director for the Division of Undergraduate Studies, has been honored by Penn State with the Award for Administrative Excellence.

The award, established in 1970, is given annually to a University faculty or staff member whose performance methods and achievements exemplify the highest standards of administrative excellence.

White has been with Penn State for more than 30 years. As executive director for the Division of Undergraduate Studies since 1999, White has helped Penn State become a nationally recognized leader in the field of academic advising, the use of technology in advising and the advancement of advising best practices.

White has been the driving force behind a number of Web-based advising innovations that have revolutionized the field and helped reach more students than had been through traditional methods. In 1998, he established the Center for Excellence in Academic Advising, a online one-stop shop where advisers can access valuable resources on advising techniques, learn about the varied roles advisers take on, and access descriptions of the responsibilities of the adviser and advisee. White has also been integral in establishing and electronic journal called "Mentor," a juried publication for national research on academic advising. In addition, he has helped to spearhead Penn State's eLion, an online advising system that is accessible by students and advisers. White also played a key role in establishing online placement testing for all incoming Penn State students—one of the first systems of its kind in the nation.

White's commitment to excellence in advising extends beyond Penn State as evidenced by his work to develop a national organization for academic advisers called the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Currently the president of NACADA, White 's leadership and research activities have helped to increase membership from 200 advisers 25 years ago to more than 8,000 in 2004.

While balancing his roles as a researcher, writer, teacher and administrator, White has maintained individual contact with the students he advises. Colleagues and students alike commend his deep commitment to the students he serves.

"Dr. White encourages excellence from his staff and models that behavior in all that he does as our administrator," said one nominator. " He allows his staff the freedom to dream of our potential as a unit and gives us the support to improve our craft and our impact on the student body and on this University."

White earned his A.B. in history from Rutgers University in 1966, his M.S. in counseling and college student personnel services and his Ed.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and 1975, respectively. He has served his field by presenting at more than 75 national and international meetings and is the author or co-author of 25 publications.