Honoring excellence in academic advising

Student success in the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering is built on collaboration, care and guidance. For undergraduate academic advisor Alexander Nagy, those values are not abstract ideas. They shape how he listens, plans and shows up for students on a daily basis.

That student-centered approach recently earned Nagy the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN) Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, recognizing his exceptional dedication to excellence. The award underscores the profound impact he has had on students as they navigate academic requirements and prepare for future careers.

“Receiving this award from TEXAAN is an incredible honor,” Nagy said. “To be recognized by an organization that sets the standard for advising excellence in Texas is truly humbling.”

Nagy was surprised when he learned he had been selected for the award, as he did not know he had been nominated. For him, the recognition was less about individual achievement and more about the importance of advising as a cornerstone of student success.

“While I’m usually more comfortable cheering on my students from the sidelines than being in the spotlight, this recognition serves as a powerful reminder of why we do this work and the impact we can have on student journeys,” Nagy said. 

Whether Nagy is cheering from the sidelines or just providing a listening ear, the core of his work is a simple belief. 

“I’ve seen firsthand how far it goes just knowing there is someone who truly cares about their success,” he said. “When students feel they have a real partner in their corner, they are more likely to stay engaged and find the resilience to overcome challenges. I believe my ability to translate those personal connections into actionable support and advocacy is what contributed most to this recognition.”

His motivation to dedicate himself to student guidance is deeply personal. Nagy’s own college experience was not a straight line, and his story now shapes how he connects with students.

“In my first semester of college, I earned a 2.22 GPA,” he said. “It took me a long time to learn how to organize my life and navigate the system effectively. Now, I’m driven to be the resource I wish I had back then. I want to be one of the essential tools students can use to build their own version of success and help them find their footing much faster than I did.”

That perspective has helped him foster an advising environment rooted in trust and adaptability. He emphasizes meeting students where they are and tailoring support to their individual backgrounds and goals.

“When a student visits me, they aren’t just getting a list of classes to check off,” he said. “They’re getting a strategy. I take the time to explain the reasoning behind their requirements and help them optimize their degree plan. When students understand their path and know they have an advocate in their corner, they feel empowered to succeed.”

Over time, those advising conversations have given Nagy a front-row seat to the qualities that define students and the way they approach their work.

“Industrial and systems engineering students have the unique ability to bridge the gap between technical engineering and human needs,” he said. “They are people-focused engineers with a strong sense of empathy.”

That people-focused mindset is something Nagy takes pride in supporting, particularly as students begin to envision how they will apply their skills beyond the classroom.

“Their career goals are incredibly broad, and seeing their ambition to improve systems across every sector makes me proud,” he said. “I can’t wait to see how they apply that mindset to solve real-world problems.”

One of Nagy’s proudest moments as an advisor has yet to occur: the upcoming graduation of the department’s inaugural data engineering cohort this May. After beginning his advising career in general engineering, he was selected to help lead advising for the new program.

“Seeing these students through to graduation has been incredibly meaningful,” he said. “It’s a major milestone for the university and for the department, and it’s something I’m personally very proud to have been part of.”

Moments such as these highlight what Nagy values most about his work. Supporting students is never a solo effort, and advising is strongest when it is backed by a department that shares the same commitment to student care.

“While we do world-class research here, our greatest strength is how much our faculty truly care about students,” he said. “When a student is struggling, my first question is always whether they have sat down with their professor. I can say that with confidence because I know our faculty will meet students halfway, and that level of support makes my role as a navigator even more impactful.”

As he continues to guide students through their academic journeys, Nagy remains focused on what matters most: supporting and empowering students so they are better equipped to thrive both inside and beyond the classroom.