The MSU College of Human Ecology's Advising Center will be one of 12 advising programs recognized nationally this year for excellence in advising.

The college will receive the Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association.

Linda Summers, an adviser in the college, and Lynn Forsblom, director of undergraduate student affairs for the college, will accept the award Oct. 4 at the annual National Academic Advising Association National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Julia Miller, dean of the college, said the award is reflective of the program.

"It's a testament to the work we did creating a model to meet the needs of the students," Miller said, adding that the center was created to centralize advising.

"I pushed very hard for the establishment of the center because I felt it was more effective and efficient in meeting students' needs, as it has proven to be."

Staff from MSU Extension worked on the first floor of the Human Ecology building until 1999. After the group moved out, the area was renovated in January 2000 and new furnishings and computers were added to make room for the advising center and staff.

The last time MSU won the Outstanding Advising Program Certificate of Merit was 1999. The university has received three merit awards since 1984.

Forsblom said the award is significant because it is presented by a national organization.

"It goes to show our students have great trust and confidence in their academic advisers at the advising center," she said.

Some students say they're happy with the quality of advising they received at the center.

Andrea Lupi, an interior design senior, said the recognition of the center is a testament to the advising quality.

"Obviously they're doing something right," Lupi said.

Lupi said she first visited the advising center in 2000, when she was a sophomore. She said her adviser helped her understand the competitiveness of the school.

"Instead of just saying 'These are the classes you need to take,' my adviser really stressed maintaining a good GPA in order to make it into the (interior design) program," Lupi said.

Fern Gardner, an interior design sophomore, said she was impressed with the abilities of the advising center staff.

"Some of the advisers knew about interior design, marketing and fashion, so they had a diverse understanding of the programs in the college," Gardner said.

She said her adviser assisted her in choosing the right classes at the right time.

"Having an effective adviser is very important to help (students) decide which classes they need to take now and which ones can wait," she said.