Associate Professor Randy Ontiveros Receives 2025–26 Provost’s Academic Advisor of the Year Award
October 13, 2026
Ontiveros is one of three selected for his extraordinary work as director of the Honors Humanities Program.
By Chelsea McLin M.A. ’19
Randy Ontiveros, who served as director of the Honors Humanities Living-Learning Program for six years, has been selected as a Provost’s Academic Advisor of the Year. Ontiveros, the associate chair and professor in the Department of English, was one of three individuals selected by a committee of advisors to receive this honor for his extraordinary commitment to mentorship, student success and community building during the 2025–2026 academic year.
According to nomination materials from staff and students, Ontiveros met individually with students each semester to provide tailored guidance that encouraged students’ academic, personal and professional growth. His mentorship inspired students to pursue ambitious Keystone research and creative projects that received campuswide praise, like the Unlocked Project, which provides support to students with incarcerated parents.
“I’m a first-generation college graduate and know from experience how much of an impact good mentoring and advising can have on a student’s life,” said Ontiveros. “These are tough times for higher education, but we faculty and staff are incredibly privileged to work with undergraduate students and be a small part of their story.”
Associate Director of Honors Humanities Sarah Bonnie Humud said that Ontiveros’ commitment to the program extended far beyond administrative tasks.
“Randy gets to know the students personally so that they feel seen and supported and that they know they have an approachable faculty member in their corner,” said Humud. “By encouraging students to apply their education beyond the classroom, Randy has helped shape, support and mentor engaged, socially conscious scholars and leaders.”
Students describe Ontiveros as a trusted mentor whose encouragement has shaped their academic paths, opened new opportunities and created a place of belonging.
“The spark that he brought to every class, event and interaction was something that defined Honors Humanities for me,” said English and computer science double major Matthew Gu ’27. “Everything from his thoughtful speeches at art shows and symposiums to just having a friendly face to smile at and wave to when walking around Anne Arundel Hall were things that made the program feel less like a set of classes and more like an earnest, vibrant community.”
Ontiveros also expanded opportunities for student leadership. He established the Honors Humanities Microgrant program, which supports projects that promote civic engagement, service and social impact, while fostering an inclusive community through initiatives like the Student of Color Collective, a student-run group that provides a supportive space for ethnic and racial minorities within Honors Humanities.
Ontiveros was recognized for this award at the Undergraduate Studies Annual Academic Advising Conference in October.