Student Success Leader Honored with NACADA Region 9 Advising Excellence Award
Erin Lion DeRosa, assistant vice president for university advising and career development, has received the Region 9 Advising Excellence Award for Advising Administrators from NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising.
NACADA’s Advising Excellence Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate qualities and practices that make significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising. DeRosa was nominated for the Region 9 award for her leadership in transforming advising at Cal Poly Pomona from a decentralized approach into a coordinated, proactive model.
Under DeRosa’s direction, 90% of undergraduate students engaged in advising last academic year, and students who took part in targeted advising interventions achieved higher GPAs and graduated at higher rates than their peers. DeRosa also launched a university-wide post-advising survey to guide continuous improvement, led the advising community through the transition to a new General Education pattern, and co-led new processes to support students who leave and return to the university.
After 13 years at Cal Poly Pomona, DeRosa describes CPP as a truly special place, crediting her accomplishments to the exceptional students, and the caring and dedicated faculty and staff she works alongside.
“I share this recognition with the entire CPP community, especially my mentors, colleagues and team members, whose support and commitment inspire me every day to advance our shared mission,” DeRosa said.
Cecilia Santiago-González, associate provost for student success, praised DeRosa’s leadership and highlighted her impact on the university’s advising practices.
“Erin is an exceptional advising administrator whose leadership reflects the highest standards of our profession,” Santiago-González said. “Her ability to translate vision into institution-wide impact has transformed the way we support students, and this recognition is a testament to that work.”
DeRosa’s leadership has contributed to CPP’s advising program earning several recognitions, including a NACADA Outstanding Advising Program Certificate of Merit and a NASPA Excellence Award. Her article, “Academic Advising’s Hidden Role in Fostering Validation/Belonging Leading to Improved Grades,” was also selected as the 2024 National NACADA Conference’s Common Read.
NACADA is the global professional association for academic advising. The CPP advising community is heavily involved in NACADA’s national and regional activities and uses its core competencies to guide advising practices.