Binder, Wakeman Receive 2026 Outstanding Advisor Awards

Amanda Wakeman, associate professor of Kinesiology, left, and Carmen Binder, senior academic success advisor,
are the 2026 recipients of the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award at UCM.

 

Two advisors at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) have been recognized for their dedication to helping students with the 2026 Kenneth J. Schueller Outstanding Advisor Award.

This year’s Outstanding Academic Advisor Award-Professional recipient is Carmen Binder, senior academic success advisor, while Amanda Wakeman, DPT, associate professor of Kinesiology, received the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award-Faculty.

 

“This award recognizes two outstanding examples of how advisors, both professional and faculty, can deeply impact a student’s retention and their goals as a college student,” said Maggie Segnitz, director of Success Advising. “Both Carmen Binder and Dr. Wakeman are highly deserving of this year’s Outstanding Advisor Awards, as they demonstrate how building strong relationships can influence student success during their college experience. They are intentional, detailed and committed to helping students find their purpose and work towards their goals.”

The award is presented annually to both a faculty mentor and a professional academic advisor. The recipients of the UCM award are also nominated for state, regional and global advising association awards. This year, the Success Advising Center received 157 award nominations from UCM students and employees.

Binder has five years of experience advising UCM students, as well as past roles in Career Exploration, coordinating the Advantage Program, and Student Housing. She advises undergraduate students in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Health Studies, Kinesiology, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Radiologic Technology. She chairs the Appreciation, Recognition, and Morale committee in the Success Advising Center. Binder regularly teaches Exploring Majors and University Foundation courses for Success Advising. She is also a two-time graduate of UCM.

In their nominations, students wrote that Binder consistently goes above and beyond to help them and always radiates positivity. She equips students with the information they need to succeed at UCM, and regularly checks in to make sure they feel supported. Students said they know that Binder is genuinely interested in how they are doing and is excited to help.

 

One student said Binder “has been an incredible source of guidance and support throughout my time as a transfer student. From the very beginning, she took the time to walk me through every step of the process and made sure I clearly understood exactly which classes I needed to take and why. Transferring can be overwhelming, but she consistently made it feel manageable by being patient, organized and always willing to answer my questions.”

Wakeman, who is a UCM alumna, advises 95 students in the Kinesiology program and supports all students in the major. She has served in this role for almost 10 years.

In her materials for the award, Wakeman said she wants to be remembered for the connections and relationships she built with students, and she hopes her students know that she believes in them, even when they don’t.

Students wrote that Wakeman makes them feel valued and heard. She is always willing to help, whether it’s discussing class schedules and course requirements, sharing campus resources, or simply listening. For Wakeman, it’s all about helping students achieve their goals.

 

“I cannot explain how thankful I am for Dr. Wakeman and all she has done for me here at UCM,” one student said. “I always feel valued and heard when I speak with her, and she has gone out of her way to help me several times! As someone who is going into the field of physical therapy, I think to myself how I hope I, too, can treat others with such kindness and respect during my career.”

Award finalists included Shawn Bentley, Amanda Bradbury, Kourtney Dey, Scott Smith and R. Nikole Wright-Montgomery.