Pat Cwiek, director of Central Michigan University’s Health Professions Residential College, has been named the first recipient of the 2008-2009 First Year Advocate Award.

The advocate award is given through CMU’s First Year Experience Program.

Cwiek received this award for her work with assisting first year students through HPS 101, an introductory health professions course. In the 10 years of her involvement with the class, she has brought in elements also designed to help her students excel in their collegiate education.

In a prepared statement, Cwiek said she enjoys taking the time to make a difference in university life.

“It’s neat to work with young people who have their professional futures ahead of them,” she said. “It’s such an opportune time to make a difference.”

During her work at CMU, Cwiek also worked to create the existing Health Professions Residential College for students interested in health-related studies.

Prior to working at CMU, Cwiek also worked as a director of congregational life and care at a church and as a director of a nursing internship program.

Melissa Bussear, the administrative assistant for the department, said Cwiek’s nomination was decided by the campus.

“We opened (the vote) up to the campus,” Bussear said. “Everyone nominated was contacted (and given the) opportunity to submit an essay (to) discuss their work with the students.”

The success of the first award will allow the program to offer the award again, Bussear said.

“We are planning to do it again,” she said.

Nick DeKorver, a Comstock Park senior, was one of the students who nominated Cwiek for the award. He said that she has been instrumental in his current career path and career choices.

“I met Pat at my CMU orientation in the summer of 2006, where she convinced me that I should join the HPRC – one of my best decisions,” he said.

DeKorver said Cwiek is incredibly helpful to students and deserves the award.

“Pat Cwiek was the right candidate for this award because she has developed not only a living-learning program, but a community based in leadership, academics, service and scholarship,” DeKorver said. “She is constantly thinking of new ways to assist first year students in reaching their goals, through the creation of new programs and (the) revision of old ones.”

The FYE 101: First Year Experience program goals at CMU, according to its Web site, are to “increase students’ understanding of higher education processes and the principles that guide student development, empower students to promote their own academic success and personal growth, and engage students in the diverse intellectual and social life of the university.”

The award comes with $3,000 for professional development and research funding.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell