Val Titus wins Student Chapter Advisor of the Year

Valorie Titus has received the TWS Student Chapter Advisor of the Year award for exemplary contributions to the development of young professionals.

The Student Chapter Advisor of the Year award recognizes exceptional mentorship by a TWS student chapter advisor. The Student Development Working Group initiated the award in 2002 and awarded its first recipient at the 2004 conference.

Involved and dedicated advisors are the backbone of strong student chapters, which help TWS achieve its mission of developing the next generation of wildlife professionals.

“I’m really excited for and humbled by this award,” said Titus, an associate professor of natural resources at Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York. “To be honest, this is probably the most important award I have received.”

Hannah Pryor, the president of the Paul Smith’s College TWS Chapter, nominated Titus for the award, citing her support for reviving the 2025 Northeast Conclave. This event, which brings together wildlife students from around the region for learning and community building, hadn’t happened for many years. “When Val brought up the idea of bringing the Northeast Conclave back, I knew it was going to be a huge undertaking,” she said. “But with how highly [she] and her colleagues spoke of their conclave memories, she was determined to create that same experience for students now.” While the conclave was a large undertaking, Titus said she was motivated by her students. “My students drive me to be the best I can be, and their enthusiasm makes it easy to want to do more,” Titus said. The event hosted 51 attendants from eight student chapters.

Pryor said that Titus’ openness to connecting with students and helping them find the resources that they need to succeed creates a welcoming community within the chapter. “On campus, Val is always an open resource to anyone, no matter their career field, age, race, sex, gender or orientation,” Pryor said. “She has been an active member of TWS’s Women of Wildlife and Out in the Field for many years and continues to advocate for equality across all groups within the environmental science field as a whole.”

Her mentorship of the chapter has been strong and recognized by the school as well. Last year, the Paul Smith’s Chapter of TWS was recognized as Club of the Year by the Paul Smith’s College Coordinator of Student Engagement.

Of all the schools that have TWS student chapters, Paul Smith’s College is the smallest. But Titus said that doesn’t slow her students down. “They participate in research, do community service, attend professional meetings and set an amazing example for their peers,” she said. “I am nothing without my students, and I’m proud to say that. I am very lucky to play in the mud and get lost in the woods with some of the best future wildlife professionals out there.”