Almanzar receives national academic advising award
Contact: Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications, 979-845-2259, [email protected]
COLLEGE STATION — Rafael Almanzar has received the 2018 National Association for Academic Advising Outstanding Advisor Award.
Almanzar is a senior academic adviser in the department of biochemistry and biophysics department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M. He is also a second-year Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Administration program offered through the educational administration and human resource development department at Texas A&M University.
Almanzar is planning to conduct research on first generation college students and female ethnic groups pursuing a graduate degree in a STEM field.
He is a native of the Bronx, New York and moved to College Station in January 2014. Almanzar graduated in 2012 from New York University with a master’s degree in counseling and guidance.
Almanzar said he is passionate about helping future generations obtain an education, which will lead to more opportunities and assist in the ultimate goal of improving quality of life for all people in society.
“I am very intentional in really getting to know my students and building strong relationships with all of them,” Almanzar said. “Life outside of college continues to happen, and students may be going through personal obstacles outside of their schoolwork.
“When a student is in my office, I give that student my full, undivided attention. I truly listen to their words and pick up any non-verbal cues. Students know they are in a safe space and open to disclose any issues they may be dealing with when they meet with me. I entered the field of academic advising because I genuinely care about education and working with young people.”
