UAB Student Affairs leadership awarded Kiera Walker and Julia Sanford the division’s “Excellence in Action” Coin.
L-R: John R. Jones, III, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs, Rebecca Kennedy, Ph.D, Assistant VP for Student Health & Wellbeing, Kiera Walker, Julia Sanford, and Angela Stowe, Ph.D., Director, Counseling Services.
On March 6, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Vice President for Student Affairs, John R. Jones, III, Ph.D. and Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing, Rebecca Kennedy, Ph.D., awarded UAB counselors Kiera Walker, MA, LPC, NCC and Julia Sanford, LICSW, with "Excellence in Action" Coins.
The "Excellence in Action" Coin, also known as the “Thank You” Coin, is not just an ordinary award but a symbol of exceptional performance and dedication. It is a rare honor, with only a select few coins distributed annually. Recipients of this prestigious coin demonstrate a level of performance, action, or accomplishment that surpasses expectations of excellence, and they embody one or more of the Division's core values.
- Student-Centered
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Advocacy
- Accountability
In early February 2024, Walker and Sanford were asked to take leadership roles in a postvention response. The director and the associate director were out of the office for the week, and a beloved business faculty member passed away unexpectedly. Students were shocked and saddened. Walker and Sanford took a lead role in the center, preparing for debriefings and organizing counselors to be available two evenings and three days at Collat School of Business. They went above and beyond to serve students where they were in a time of great need. They also worked closely with the faculty in Collat to ensure they knew the plan for talking with the students in the classes. They did more than what was required, truly caring for our students and the faculty, and clearing their calendars to make it happen.
Click here for more information about the Student Affairs “Excellence in Action” Coin and other Student Affairs staff recognition initiatives.