Academic Advising Award

Hua Li

Hua Li, professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in the College of Letters and Science, is the recipient of this year’s Academic Advising Award. The award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to academic advising. It is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and comes with a $2,000 honorarium.

Li, who says her advising philosophy is to provide students with constructive, consistent and genuine support, is known for tailoring her advising to focus on each student’s individual needs and goals. She focuses not only on course selection but also on engaging students in high-impact practices, such as exchange programs and research opportunities. She also helps her advisees search for jobs and volunteer opportunities in China and Taiwan. In addition to formally advising about 20 students per semester, Li works informally with many students outside of the modern languages department who are interested in studying Chinese language and culture. Li also spends a significant amount of time helping students secure grants and scholarships for study abroad experiences, efforts that go above and beyond typical academic advising duties, her nominators wrote.

Li is committed to providing students with advice and encouragement when financial, personal or emotional obstacles arise. Importantly, she also helps them find appropriate resources – such as grants, tutors, MSU counselors and other support systems – to help them fulfill their goals and complete their degrees.