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Rachel Ward Boatwright has been honored as the 2025 Florida State University Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award recipient.
President Richard McCullough selected Boatwright, who acts as a senior academic advisor in the College of Music, for this prestigious award, which has lauded exceptional employees since 2008 for their significant contributions and exceptional service that have made a campus-wide impact.
“Rachel’s outstanding service embodies the utmost levels of professionalism and commitment,” remarked Renisha Gibbs, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief of staff for Finance and Administration. “Through her expertise, empathy, and relentless dedication, she has evolved into a reliable mentor and advocate for students and colleagues alike.”
As this year’s Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award honoree, Boatwright will receive two tickets to a football game, a stipend, and a designated parking spot for a year.
Boatwright has dedicated eight years to the College of Music, which hosts nearly 700 undergraduate music majors. As a senior academic advisor via Advising First — FSU’s network of professional academic consultants and mentors who assist students in establishing their individual, academic, and career objectives — Boatwright diligently meets with students to prepare them for their major’s demands.
“Her understanding of music majors across all fields is unparalleled, and she is equally well-versed in university policies and guidelines,” stated Steven Kelly, professor of Music Education in the College of Music. “Students and faculty both hold deep respect for Rachel’s dedication, commitment, and nurturing approach.”
In her position, Boatwright aids students in balancing competing obligations. Beyond academics, a music major carries expectations that extend past classroom learning. Students must also consider performance and practice requirements within their already packed schedules.
“Rachel maintains a solution-focused approach and purposefully designs equitable plans for her students, empowering them to become informed self-advocates,” noted LaShae Roberts, assistant dean for undergraduate studies.
Boatwright goes above and beyond in her role and remains dedicated to exceptional performance in addition to her student meetings.
“Rachel engages in all facets of our advising duties within the college, from aiding in auditions and career panels on Parents’ Weekend to orientation presentations and training peer mentors, as well as outreach programs,” said Joanna Hunt, assistant dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Music. “She juggles these various responsibilities alongside her wonderful individual advising sessions with our students while maintaining student records.”
Boatwright created a curriculum for first-year music students called First Year Music Experience, offered through the Engage100 initiative. During the summer semester, eighty-six students enrolled in the course. After completion, students reported heightened confidence in their academic paths, enriched connections with the campus and peers, and improved readiness for college.
To support the course, she employed and trained 16 student mentors known as the Board of Advisors (BOA), a program with a 40-year legacy in the college.
In her role as assistant director for the BOA program, Boatwright also co-led the convocation committee. Convocation, a new tradition in the College of Music, seeks to commence the academic year with music, community, and swag. This year, attendance exceeded 1,000 participants.
During her time at FSU, Boatwright has made a considerable difference in the lives of students and colleagues, fostering academic development and enriching the campus community through her advising and program involvement. As a former student and experienced music educator, Boatwright brings extensive expertise and perspective to her position.
Boatwright is skilled in multiple instruments and possesses the discipline necessary for success in the field. She utilizes her musical knowledge and commitment to student success to create an environment that fosters student advancement.
Her nominators praised her helpful and friendly nature, often describing her as enthusiastic and vivacious.
Associate Professor Gregory Springer remarked, “She is an exceptionally kind and courteous colleague, treating students with that same level of respect.”
This sentiment is echoed by fellow advisor and Convocation committee co-chair Emily Clark, who noted, “Her interpersonal skills are unmatched, with students often queuing up outside her office.”
For Boatwright, being approachable and delivering excellent service is “simple when you are passionate about your work.”
“The truth is, I love my job because I am passionate about the work,” Boatwright stated. “I guide students in becoming masters of their own education and empower them towards independence and personal accountability.”
She added, “FSU’s motto, Vires, Artes, Mores — strength, skill, character — also outlines the foundation for resilience, which the FSU community has shown repeatedly. More than anything, this position has taught me to be more empathetic, more eager to listen, and swifter in posing questions.”
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