Jenna Fusinatto, academic advisor, School of Natural Resources, was named the Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor during the 2025 Celebration of Excellence event, held Thursday, April 17.
Fusinatto is in her 12th year of advising, and advises almost 400 students in the Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism (PRST) program – one of the largest advising loads in the college.
“What Jenna does has a more wide-reaching impact than just an advisor,” said Cindy Greenwood, program/project support coordinator in SNR. “She is a consultant, mentor, guide, advocate and facilitator. The sheer number of students she advises would be daunting to most people, but she advises them as if they are the only student she has on her calendar.”
“Jenna’s ability to bridge academic advising with career and professional development ensures students receive a well-rounded support system,” said Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, professor, SNR associate director and director of undergraduate studies in the School of Natural Resources. “Additionally, she has taken on supervisory responsibilities for academic advising staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.”
Fusinatto is known for going above and beyond for each of her students and CAFNR as a whole, all while consistently scoring above the college average on the CAFNR Advising Survey.
“Jenna’s collaborative spirit is a cornerstone of her success as an advisor,” said Laura Friedrich, CAFNR’s director of academic initiatives and advising. “Jenna is frequently in contact with athletic partners ensuring student-athletes are connected to faculty members and opportunities for success. Moreover, her contributions to state and national committees helped elevate the quality of academic advising on a broader scale.”
“She certainly went above and beyond for me, and I hope more students can take advantage of her expertise in the field,” said Erik Kase, former student and now CSM Operations Coordinator at A.L. Gustin Golf Course. “I feel very fortunate to stop by her office every so often and catch up. She has more than earned this award, and I am proud to have been advised by Jenna Fusinatto.”