Award Recipients

Current Tate Award Recipients

This year's Tate Awards were presented at the Tate Advising Conference on Thursday, March 5th, 2026. The award celebrates these outstanding honorees for their extraordinary dedication, innovation, and profound impact on undergraduate success

2025-2026 John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

Charissa Blue

Senior Academic Advisor / American Indian Studies Department Advisor, Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Charissa is known for appreciative, relational, and culturally responsive approaches in both advising practice and programming. A colleague writes “Charissa operates from a depth of empathy and valuing of humanity that is rare. She continues the lifelong journey of learning the social, cultural, political and historical contexts of the world so she can connect and educate across the diaspora of difference between us as people to work in collaboration towards liberation…She is like a farmer, planting and nourishing the seeds of knowledge, growth and empowerment in the soil of each individual she encounters.”

Meghan Allen Eliason

Senior Academic Advisor, Institute of Child Development, College of
Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Meghan is known for her empowering advising, engaged leadership, and extensive collaboration and innovation skills. A colleague writes “Meghan’s advising style is characterized by intentionality and deep listening. Students universally note that Meghan listens carefully and understands their individual contexts…She never chooses a path for students; rather, she empowers them to make their own choices by equipping them with the necessary tools… Students often owe their relationships with departmental staff and students to her, as she has weaved a strong web by connecting her advisees to fellow students, staff, and faculty.”

Gayle (G.G.) Golden

Senior Lecturer, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass
Communication, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

G.G. is recognized for her caring mentorship, for her advocacy skills, and for extensively connecting students to professional experiences. A student writes “I owe an enormous amount of where and who I am now to [G.G]. G.G. has become a voice in my head, a touchstone I can always return to over the phone, by email, or in my own thoughts. There is nothing I write anymore that does not have her fingerprints on it, always pushing me to consider whether I’ve done enough — or, just as important, whether I’ve done too much…I’ve taken all her lessons to heart and carry them with me.”

Dr. Marissa Emily Holst

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Division of the Social Sciences,
University of Minnesota Morris

Marissa is lauded for her dedicated advising, for prioritizing student wellbeing, and for her extensive collaboration. A colleague writes “Dr. Holst’s effectiveness comes from caring deeply about student wellbeing, making implicit university policies and expectations explicit for first-generation students and students who experience marginalization, collaborating with staff around campus, developing internship and shadowing experiences, and ensuring students have access to resources they deserve.…Dr. Holst is the epitome of a community builder, cultural navigator, collaborator, and advocate and is elevating the role of advising on our campus.”