Undergraduate Advisor of the Year
2024
Dr. Malinda Hicks
Dr. Hicks earned a BA in Sociology, an MS in Applied Sociology, and a PhD in Public Policy & Political Economy, all from UT Dallas. She started her career as an academic advisor at UTD in 2019, just before the pandemic. Before becoming an advisor, Dr. Hicks worked as a Program Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Dr. Hicks considers her academic advising practice to be a calling, and her greatest satisfaction comes from helping disadvantaged or marginalized students persist in achieving their educational goals.
2023
Courtney Milavec
Courtney Milavec earned her bachelor’s in biology and environmental science from St. Lawrence University. She’s currently working towards her master’s in education from Harvard University, focusing on higher education leadership, policy, and crisis management. Before moving to Texas, she was a Recruitment Specialist for Montana Tech where she prioritized recruiting underrepresented students and hosted summer camps in Yellowstone as part of those efforts. She started her ATEC career in 2018 and is the Staff Advisor for ATEC’s LLC and a member of UT Dallas Military and Veteran Advisory Council.
2022
Catherine Boynton
Boynton received her bachelor’s in psychology from UT Dallas in 2014 and earned a master’s in family therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2017. Before becoming an advisor, Boynton worked as a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma and LGBTQIA adolescents. She started her career as an academic advisor for her alma mater in the summer of 2019 and has loved every single second. She also teaches the BBSU 1100 Freshman Seminar course and says that is her favorite part of her job.