On Tuesday, May 7, the UAB Division of Student Affairs hosted its annual End of Year Awards Celebration to recognize the excellence, innovation and impact of Student Affairs programs, staff, and departments. In addition to recognizing Student Affairs professionals for milestones, honors and recognitions received throughout the year, the following nine awards were presented: Outstanding Star (Administrative Support Professional), Outstanding Star (Professional), Outstanding Contributor to Higher Education, Program of the Year, New Professional of the Year, the Andy Marsch Legacy Award, Outstanding Student Affairs Partner, Program of the Year, Event of the Year and Department of the Year.
Congratulations to all this year’s nominees and award recipients.
STUDENT AFFAIRS MILESTONES: YEARS OF SERVICE
During the celebration Student Affairs recognized those who reached service milestones in their careers at UAB, epitomizing Student Affairs as one of the most promising places to work in the profession.
5 YEARS OF SERVICE
Jackie Alexander (Student Media), Victoria Coman-Jackson (Student Housing & Residence Life), Joycelyn Dishmon (Finance & Administration), Julia Sanford (Student Counseling Services), Meghan Wilson (Hill Student Center), and Brandon Wright (UAB Career Center)
10 YEARS OF SERVICE
Meghan Whitfield (Student Health Services)
15 YEARS OF SERVICE
Renae Glover (Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs), Kristy Gish (Student Housing & Dining), and Kiera Walker (Student Counseling Services)
STUDENT AFFAIRS AWARD NOMINEES & WINNERS
Outstanding Star (Administrative Support Professional)
This award honors an individual who has contributed to the Student Affairs profession in a unique way. The individual supports their respective department in the delivery of programs or services to students. In addition, the individual takes into consideration the needs of not only the student, but also their fellow colleagues. The individual contributes by supporting their department and the Division of Student Affairs, by going beyond expectations to make a tangible impact in the past year.
NOMINEES: Carli Colburn (Student Health Services), Stephanie Collins (SMDP), and Tonya Pugh (Student Housing & Residence Life)
WINNER: Carli Colburn (Student Health Services)
Outstanding Star (Professional)
This award honors an individual who has primary responsibilities in planning, developing and/or delivery of programs or services to students. This person takes into consideration the impact that the Division of Student Affairs makes on students and takes great strides to make a meaningful impression on fellow staff members, not only within their department, but also when collaborating with other colleagues on and off the campus of UAB.
NOMINEES: Shelby Gillisb> (Student Housing & Residence Life), Monica Merriweatherb> (Student Health Services), Sherri Moultrieb> (Disability Support Services), Kiera Walkerb> (Student Counseling Services) and Michele Quickb> (Student Health Services)
WINNER: Shelby Gillis (Student Housing & Residence Life)
Outstanding Contributor to Higher Education
This award honors an individual who has made contributions to the Student Affairs profession in an exceptional way through research, scholarship and/or leadership. Such contributions include but are not limited to: conference presentations, published articles, regional and national board roles and/or implementation of best evidence-based innovative approaches within the Student Affairs profession.
WINNER: Jackie Alexander (Student Media)
New Professional of the Year
This award honors an incoming professional, new to the Division of Student Affairs. It will recognize new professionals that have used their short time at UAB to strive to meet the needs of students and have a positive impact on their department. The recipient will be one who interacts and engages students through programming, counseling, or leadership development. This employee provides outstanding service. “New” is considered to be at UAB Student Affairs less than two years.
NOMINEES: Lauren Clark (Student Housing & Residence Life), Melea Hodge (Student Health Services), Alyssa Howard (Wellness Promotions), Naquela Kirk (Marketing & Communications), Allison Martin (University Recreation), Vivica Parker (SMDP), Ella Portwood (UAB Career Center), Cardarius Smoot (Student Health Services), Priyanka Wankhede (Marketing & Communications), Cynthia Washington (UAB Career Center), Ebonee Whitson (Student Assistance & Support), and Skyler Yasenchack (Student Counseling Services)
WINNER: Alyssa Howard (Wellness Promotions)
Andy Marsch Legacy Award
This award honors an individual who exemplifies the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. The nominee must be employed with UAB for no less than seven years, four within the Division of Student Affairs. The ideal candidate is a pillar of student involvement, engagement, and success on the UAB campus and making visible contributions towards the ongoing development of the Division and the University as a whole. This person has shown a dedication to excellence that is consistent with the ideals of Student Affairs—integrity, collaboration, accountability, advocacy, and maintaining a student-centered perspective in everything they do.
WINNER: Annie Sellers (Veterans Services)
Outstanding Student Affairs Partners
This award honors departments, groups, or individuals outside of the division who have played a visibly active role in assisting in the overall mission of the Division of Student Affairs. Nominees for this award will be those who, on a consistent basis, have helped serve the needs of students outside of the classroom. Partnerships with the nominee and Division departments are impactful for students and help the Division reach its strategic priorities. Whether it be hiring and training student assistants, mentoring and advising recognized student groups, or ensuring that all incoming students are aware of the Division’s many services, these nominees intentionally put students first.
WINNER: Yenni Cedillo (Nutrition Science)
Program of the Year
This award honors either an individual, department, committee, or group who has created impactful programming aimed at developing students and/or Student Affairs professionals in alignment with one or more of the Division’s core values. A program is a coordinated series of content, events, activities, and resources geared to accomplish a singular goal. Programs are built to drive long-term success which help propel an important shift in the service of students. Program of the Year encompasses a series of interconnected events geared at accomplishing a specific goal whereas Event of the Year encompasses a singular gathering.
NOMINEES: Counselor in Residence (Student Counseling Services and Student Housing & Residence Life), UAB Mental Health Advocate Program (Student Counseling Services), and URec on the Go (University Recreation)
WINNER: Counselor in Residence (Student Counseling Services and Student Housing & Residence Life)
Event of the Year
This award honors an event and the individuals, department, committee, or group who has created an impactful event aimed at developing students and/or student affairs professionals. An event is a one-time activity assembling individuals around a particular topic, cause, or issue for the purpose of celebration, education, or unification. Event of the Year encompasses a singular gathering whereas Program of the year encompasses a series of interconnected events geared at accomplishing a specific goal. The Event of the Year may be a reoccurring annual event or may be a one-time only event.
NOMINEES: Fresh Market (Campus Dining), Mardi Gras (Campus Dining), Silent Disco (Student Housing & Residence Life, Wellness Promotion, Student Media, and Collegiate Recovery Community), and Veterans 5K Run (Veteran Services)
WINNER: Veterans 5K Run (Veteran Services)
Department of the Year
This award honors a department that has excelled in helping and assisting students, Student Affairs professionals, and the Division of Student Affairs. This department should be one that has effectively executed impactful, educational, and innovative programs or collaborations across the campus which promote the mission and values of the Division. Additionally, this department should effectively impact and promote the growth of students and staff alike. This department works both independently and collaboratively with other departments to provide a holistic experience for the campus community.
NOMINEES: Campus Dining, Disability Support Servicesb>, and Student Counseling Servicesb>
WINNER: Student Counseling Services