The Advising Council of U-M has recognized Stephanie Custer and Yili Lin, both from the College of Engineering, for outstanding academic advising.

The ACUM Outstanding Advising Award, established in 2022, recognizes staff and faculty advisors from any school or college on the Ann Arbor campus. This year’s recipients were selected based on the extent to which they promoted students’ academic learning and personal growth, and the degree to which they demonstrated the U-M’s academic advising and coaching values, which are key components of the U-M Academic Advising & Coaching Framework.

Students submitted a total of 653 nominations for 285 unique advisors on the Ann Arbor Campus. These awards were presented at the 2026 ACUM Advising Conference, held May 6 and 7.

Stephanie Custer, academic advisor in the College of Engineering, is known for her personalized, holistic approach to advising students through even the most unconventional academic paths. Nominators praised her tireless advocacy, deep institutional knowledge and genuine investment in each student’s well-being. One student shared, “Stephanie is, without a doubt, the only reason I was able to finish my undergraduate degree in three years.” From traveling to France to support a cohort of Michigan students studying abroad, to personally reaching out to students flagged on progress reports, Stephanie consistently goes beyond the boundaries of traditional advising. As one nominator reflected, “It felt like the kind of support and encouragement you’d get from an advisor working with just 10-20 students … but she was working with hundreds just like me.”

Yili Lin, CSE undergraduate program advisor, brings a warm, proactive, and caring presence to her advising work with Computer Science and Engineering students. Nominators highlighted her exceptional preparation, her ability to remember students across time and distance, and her genuine concern for students’ lives beyond the classroom. One student recalled being recognized by Yili over a year after a brief meeting abroad, noting that it “helped me develop a stronger sense of belonging within the College of Engineering community.” Whether helping students balance varsity athletics with a rigorous CS curriculum or finding a path forward during a family emergency, Yili approaches every interaction with care and confidence.

LSA has also announced its advising award recipients. They are:

Ruth M. Sinclair Memorial Award: This award was established in 1967 using an initial bequest made in memory of Ruth M. Sinclair, a member of the Class of 1908. This award recognizes an outstanding LSA general advisor. This year’s recipient is David Krstovich, academic advisor, Newnan Academic Advising Center. David’s holistic advising approach is evident in the heartfelt testimonials from his nominators. Many emphasized Krstovich’s warm and welcoming presence, his ability to validate their experiences and feelings, and his focus on empowering them to make decisions about their future. Students noted consistently leaving appointments feeling calmer, more capable, and more hopeful. One particularly compelling nomination highlighted how Krstovich helped them expand their perspective of what options they truly had and then went out of his way to connect the student to people who could support their academic and professional goals. The student went on to highlight how this allowed them to become a more independent decision-maker. They finished by noting: “Anytime we meet, David seems genuinely happy to help and seems to truly care about my wellbeing and future.” This sentiment is echoed in all of Krstovich’s nominations. 

Excellence in Departmental Advising Award: This award, established in 1988, recognizes outstanding departmental advising in LSA. This year’s recipient is Darcy Brandel, senior student admin assistant and lecturer II, Residential College. Brandel has been characterized by nominators as enthusiastic, caring, inclusive, collaborative and validating. She makes students feel welcome, goes above and beyond to ensure they have space to voice their dreams and concerns and then works with them to support the dreams and assuage the concerns. One nominator shared that she is the main reason they kept on a path they initially thought impossible to continue after their freshman year, while another praised her kindness, proactivity, genuine attitude, and quiet joy. Brandel’s ability to bring out the best in her students by challenging them, supporting them, and always meeting them with compassion creates a significant and enduring influence on our students’ success here at the University of Michigan and beyond.

Unsung Champion Award: This award, established in 2020, recognizes individuals in LSA who are not formally designated as general or department advisors but, nonetheless, influence and guide students in positive ways. This year’s recipient is Allison Earl, associate professor of psychology. Earl’s nominators highlighted her engaged, individualized mentorship and praised her for fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of genuine belonging. There was a particular appreciation for her efforts to include them in more advanced academic spaces, including departmental colloquia, and her care to not just welcome them into those spaces but also ensure they were recognized as collaborators and peers. One nominator summed up her dedication, noting: “Her mentorship is not exceptional because of any single moment, but because of its consistency and care over time. Her impact on students is lasting, and I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient of this award.” The committee agrees, and our institution is stronger for having Allison as a part of our community.