Kayla Henry, academic advisor in the School of Nursing, received the 2025-2026 College of Health Sciences Academic Advising Outstanding Service Award.
The Academic Advising Outstanding Service Award recognizes individuals who have
demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students or outstanding academic advising administration.
Henry serves as the school’s graduate student advisor. Besides her general advising duties, she oversees the inquiry and admissions process, enrollment process, and makes sure the students complete their clinical health requirements during the program. Faculty and staff note that Henry’s high level of care and attention to detail towards her students enables her to make genuine connections with them.
“I teach a course in the first semester of the nursing doctorate program, and in my introduction discussion, I ask students why they chose Boise State for their doctoral degree. Almost without exception, students mention Kayla by name,” Amy Spurlock, Joanna “Jody” DeMeyer Endowed Chair in Nursing, said. “She is generally their first contact when applying and ably guides them through the process. She calms their fears and responds quickly. Truly – Kayla is a large part of why students accept admission to the program. She is a friendly, comforting presence to students and faculty alike and is never without a smile. I believe without her warm, steady, professional presence, our new doctorate program would not have grown so successfully. The School of Nursing is greatly enhanced with Kayla’s quiet but very impactful presence.”
“Our nurse practitioner students come to campus once per year during our Summer Intensives week, where they learn hands-on clinical skills,” Rachael Bledsoe, student success senior manager for the School of Nursing, said. “For many of our first year students, this is their first time visiting campus. Kayla makes sure to memorize every student’s name and face so that when they come to check in for their sessions, she can greet them personally. This made a huge impact on these students as it made them feel welcomed and cared for.”