Monaco honored as ‘phenomenal adviser’ with Class of 1996 Award

April 29, 2015

“Dr. Monaco has made an impact on too many of my educational experiences to fully capture her importance with only one example.”

This was the opening sentence of one of eight letters submitted by undergraduate students who nominated Jane Monaco for the Class of 1996 Academic Advising Award.

Dr. Jane Monaco

Monaco, DrPH, clinical associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the biostatistics department at the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, will receive the honor on May 5 at the College of Arts and Sciences awards ceremony.

“We are very pleased that Jane has received this important recognition,” said Michael Kosorok, PhD, W.R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor and chair of the biostatistics department. “She is a truly outstanding mentor of undergraduate students, and the department, school and university are very fortunate to have her.”

Monaco’s work is integral to the success of students in the biostatistics department, as the full letter following that first sentence attested.

“When I was a freshman, Dr. Monaco introduced me to the biostatistics major and encouraged me to apply to the program. I have never regretted that decision. Throughout the three years I’ve known her, she has been a constant source of support, encouragement and advice. She has guided me through course planning each semester, provided me with graduate school and career advice and supported me during the completion of my senior honors thesis. I couldn’t have made it through college as a biostatistics and mathematics double major without Jane Monaco.”

This is not the first award Monaco has received in recognition of her commitment to student success. In 2013, she was presented with the McGavran Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors career-long excellence in teaching by a faculty member at the Gillings School.

The Class of 1996 Award acknowledges another aspect of Monaco’s service: acting as an adviser to undergraduate students. Monaco was one of only three faculty members at UNC to win the award, out of 89 nominees.

Excerpts from several other letters of nomination make it clear how her enthusiasm has inspired and encouraged students in her department:

• “Dr. Monaco is a tremendous part of why my experience at UNC, specifically in the public health school, has been so phenomenal. She always sets time aside to talk to every one of her students about their upcoming schedule. She is genuinely concerned about making sure each person has all the resources they need to succeed.”

• “Dr. Monaco is always warm and friendly when I see her, both in and out of advising meetings. Even after three straight hours of meeting with students in the biostatistics program, I can count on her to be a genuinely caring advisor and mentor.”

• “Dr. Monaco has a real excitement for the program and pushes her students to be the best they can be, while also understanding their individual academic levels and career goals. Everyone I know who has worked with her loves her passion for teaching and helping students.”

“Being recognized by students is incredibly gratifying,” shared Monaco. “It is a privilege to be part of the biostatistics department, which recruits amazing students and then values their mentoring. I am honored to be able to advise a stellar group of talented individuals who make my job interesting and rewarding.”

Perhaps this quote from one of the student nominators best summarizes Monaco’s dedication to advising: “I never leave her office with the same concerns I had walking in. For that alone, she truly is deserving of this advising award.”