Dr. Muthu Venkateshwaran, associate professor of crop physiology and molecular biology in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s School of Agriculture, was selected to receive the university’s 2019 Outstanding Faculty Academic Advisor Award.
“This award is very near and dear to my heart as academic advising is one of my responsibilities I cherish the most,” said Venkateshwaran. “I provide my student advisees the guidance they need to achieve their academic and professional goals. This award serves as a strong source of motivation to hone my advising skills to do my job even better.”
Venkateshwaran joined UW-Platteville in 2013 and teaches a variety of soil and crop science courses, ranging from introductory to advanced. He has advised many students majoring in soil and crop science and environmental horticulture programs. He also serves as an academic coach in the School of Agriculture for special advisees who are re-admitted after recommendation by the Admission and Academic Appeals Committee.
Venkateshwaran makes it a priority to create opportunities for his students to be engaged in undergraduate research. He has mentored more than 70 students on his ongoing research projects pertaining to molecular plant-microbe interactions. Through his federal, regional and institutional grants, he has expanded the research capabilities and opportunities to many students in the School of Agriculture. Venkateshwaran has successfully guided many of his advisees, class students and research mentees for graduate school placements and helped them apply and secure graduate research fellowships and scholarships. He serves as co-advisor for the Agronomy-Soil Water Conservation club and CERES Women’s Fraternity.
“Academic advising is the most satisfying task as a faculty member as there is tremendous scope in making significant changes in many students’ lives,” said Venkateshwaran. “I strive to provide an advising atmosphere where my advisees experience mutual respect, trust, inclusivity and a sense of accomplishment. I enjoy the numerous one-on-one sessions with my advisees in identifying their career goals, discuss any challenges and find viable solutions for those challenges so that my students succeed in achieving those goals. It gives me immense pleasure to watch my student advisees graduate and pursue various career paths in academic or industrial settings, or in government offices.”
Venkateshwaran said his success in advising is due, in part, to the value that the university places on academic advising. “At UW-Platteville, we give utmost importance to academic advising, and that is definitely one of our strengths in student recruitment and retention,” he said. “Thanks to the entire team in Academic Support Programs, UW-Platteville faculty members receive tremendous support and training all year-round to excel in our role as advisors.”
Venkateshwaran earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University in India and his master’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in plant pathology from ANGR Agricultural University in India. He earned his doctoral degree in plant pathology from UW-Madison. Among his recent accolades are the 2018 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award, 2018 Thomas and Lee Ann Lindahl Teaching Excellence Award and the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
Venkateshwaran will be recognized at the all-campus convocation on Thursday, Aug. 28 in Velzy Commons, Ullsvik Hall.