2024 Dean's Award for Advising Excellence

The Dean's Office Award for Advising Excellence is presented annually to a College of Arts and Sciences faculty member or professional staff advisor who has distinguished him or herself as an effective, caring mentor for students in the College. The award is selected by a committee in the college composed of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, the Director of Advising, and the Graduation Analysts.

Tyechia Barnes, Department of Psychology

Barnes has been an academic advisor in the Department of Psychology since 2019 with 10 years of prior advising experience. She learns best practices, gains insight and training by attending conferences and workshops through the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), Noel-Levits, Bridges Out of Poverty as well as those provided through the College of Arts & Sciences and Advising Network at the University of Memphis.

Her passion is helping students become successful academically and externally providing them with insight, resources, and opportunities that are available for them. She enjoys seeing students graduate and overcome the many challenges they may have faced.    

Barnes earned an Undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of Memphis (2009) and a Master of Science in Higher Education with a Specialization in Leadership for Student Success (2013) at Walden University.   

Student evaluations and their remarks indicate Barnes is knowledgeable, extremely helpful, responds quickly to questions, and communicates clearly. Students comment she, "makes it very simple for me to know exactly what needs to get done to accomplish graduating as soon as possible," and that she gives a "boost of confidence when needed."