Rachel Ward Boatwright has been named the 2025 Max Carraway Employee of the Year at Florida State University. The annual award, established in 2008, recognizes employees whose work and service have had a significant impact across the university.
Boatwright serves as a senior academic advisor in the College of Music, which enrolls nearly 700 undergraduate music majors. She is part of Advising First, a network that helps students set and achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. For eight years, Boatwright has worked to support students as they navigate degree requirements and balance performance obligations with academic coursework.
President Richard McCullough selected Boatwright for this year’s honor. As recipient of the award, she will receive two football tickets, a stipend, and a reserved parking space for one year.
Renisha Gibbs, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief of staff for Finance and Administration at FSU, said: “Rachel’s exemplary service reflects the highest standards of professionalism and care. Through her knowledge, compassion and tireless service, she has become a trusted guide and advocate for students and colleagues alike.”
Steven Kelly, professor of Music Education in the College of Music added: “Her knowledge of music majors in all areas is unsurpassed, and she is equally knowledgeable with university policies and regulations. Students and faculty alike respect Rachel’s commitment, dedication and caring attitude.”
In her role as advisor, Boatwright helps students manage competing demands inside and outside the classroom. LaShae Roberts, assistant dean for undergraduate studies noted: “Rachel remains solution-oriented and intentionally creates equitable plans for her students and empowers them to be informed self-advocates.”
Joanna Hunt, assistant dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Music stated: “Rachel participates in all aspects of our advising work in the college, from assisting with auditions, career panels on Parents’ Weekend and orientation presentations to peer mentor training and outreach initiatives. She performs these numerous duties in addition to her wonderful individual advising sessions with our students and maintains student records.”
Boatwright developed First Year Music Experience—a curriculum offered through Engage100—for first-year music majors. Eighty-six students participated during summer semester; afterward they reported greater confidence about their academic paths along with stronger connections to campus life.
To run this course effectively she hired sixteen student mentors known as Board of Advisors (BOA), building on a program that has operated within the college for forty years. She also serves as assistant director for BOA while co-chairing the convocation committee—a new tradition welcoming over 1,000 attendees each year at its kickoff event.
Boatwright’s background includes experience as both an FSU alumna herself and longtime music teacher trained on multiple instruments. Her nominators described her as helpful with an approachable demeanor.
Associate Professor Gregory Springer commented: “She is a very kind and courteous colleague, and she treats students with that same level of courtesy.” Emily Clark—fellow adviser—added: “Her relational skills are unmatched—with students frequently lining up on the floor outside of her office.”
Reflecting on her approach to work at FSU Boatwright said: “The fact is I love my job because I love the work,” adding that she aims to teach students how to become experts in their own education so they can gain independence.
She continued: “FSU’s motto Vires Artes Mores—strength skill character—is also the recipe for resilience which the FSU community has demonstrated time again. If anything this job has taught me to be more compassionate more eager to listen—and quicker to ask questions.”
