Janet Francis, a retired academic advisor and administrative assistant in the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has received the university’s 2016 Staff Career Achievement Award.

Francis retired from the university in June 2015 after 31 years of service.

Created in 2011 to recognize retiring staff members, the Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to as many as five individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university careers. Nominees must have worked a minimum of 10 years at Virginia Tech. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

During her time with the Department of History, Francis acted as principal advisor to her own history majors each year; provided walk-in advising to all history majors; worked directly with transfer students, both internal and external, to the department; and served as the departmental advisor for orientation.

She is recognized for her dedication to the success of every student and her encyclopedic knowledge of departmental, college, and university requirements that enabled her to answer almost any question that came her way.

Her involvement extended beyond that of her work for the Department of History. Francis was a  member of the National Academic Advising Association for 20 years, and received firsthand experience for advising students studying abroad by visiting Riva San Vitale, Switzerland.

Faculty and students alike commend Francis for the tireless hours she committed to her job. She never turned down a challenge and was always ready to help students reach their goals from orientation to graduation and beyond.

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