When the nominees for the 2026 Professional Academic Advising Community (PAAC) annual awards stood up to be recognized at a ceremony on May 7, about a quarter of the room rose.
This year, Cornell's professional advisers put forward 21 of their colleagues for excellence in their work helping students navigate challenges, work toward their goals and build self-efficacy.
"Look at all the good work that you're doing," said Bonnie Comella, associate vice provost for undergraduate education, before announcing the award winners.
Alex Pizzola, assistant director of engineering advising in the Cornell Duffield College of Engineering, won the Individual Impact Award for offering students support that can be transformative along their academic journey.
Maegan Puzas Kessen, assistant director of inclusive academic advising in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Office of Academic Programs, won the Leadership and Community Impact Award for engaging beyond her immediate role and enhancing the student experience.
Approximately 80 of their peers looked on as Pizzola and Puzas Kessen accepted the awards at a presentation in Clark Hall during the annual PAAC conference.
PAAC co-chair Ana Adinolfi, director of student services for the Division of Nutritional Sciences, said the nominations for the awards were filled with stories of students whose advisers helped them through tough times and colleagues supporting and mentoring their peers, and she was grateful for the chance to take a moment to appreciate them.
"It's heavy," she said. "Sometimes this work that we do is complex."
Comella said advisers make students feel like they matter.
"I think that's really the core of what we do," she said. "It's really a gift, the space that you give them to talk to you about their wins and their challenges."
