Dennis Congos, academic advisor for the Office of First Year Advising and Exploration, received the “Commitment to Excellence in Academic Support” award at the National ACPA [American College Personnel Association] Conference in Las Vegas, March 4-7. This national award, presented by Commission for Academic Support in Higher Education, recognizes professionals who help students succeed and promote academic support services.
“Mr. Congos has shown a sustained commitment to the field of academic support and retention services through leadership, scholarship and practice since the late 1970’s,” noted DeLaine Priest, associate vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Services.
Congos has worked at various institutions across the country, where he has developed and facilitated innovative programming in the areas of advising, academic success, and Supplemental Instruction. Throughout his professional life, he has made significant contributions as an administrator, international trainer and presenter and scholar. He has published 24 articles in professional journals, and two textbooks with McGraw Hill designed to help students acquire and refine college level skills for learning.
Congos is a recognized national and international leader in the area of Supplemental Instruction. He has built comprehensive SI programs at various institutions. He has prolifically published articles focused on the value of SI to student success. His work and research led him to become the first person to take SI overseas, to Kingston University in England, where he presented and trained administrators and staff in establishing SI programs. One of his articles was published in the prestigious British publication, Studies in Higher Education, which for many years was the most widely cited source on SI internationally. From that initial experience and three return consulting trips, SI has spread to over 30 countries around the world. At UCF, Congos expanded the SI program from covering two classes to up to 24 sections, trained over 50 SI leaders and trained over 30 faculty members.
Congratulations to Dennis Congos for his outstanding commitment to assist students to succeed and promote academic support services.