Congrats to our Fantastic IV-W Award Winners!
November 30, 2016
Each year, NASPA recognizes outstanding members and member campuses by honoring them with regional awards. At NASPA IV-West’s recent regional conference in St. Louis, 5 campuses were recognized for their exemplary programs and publications and 33 individuals were honored for their outstanding passion, purpose, and dedication to NASPA and the field of Student Affairs.
Distinguished Service Award
Dr. W. Wayne Young Jr.
Associate Vice Provost for Student Life, Creighton University
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual who has a minimum of ten years of continuous years of NASPA membership and has volunteered service to NASPA at the regional, national and international levels enhancing our professional organization.
Dr. Wayne Young Jr. serves Creighton University providing leadership for the areas of Residential Life, Student Conduct, Student Wellness, Student Health Services and Student Counseling Services. On top of that, he has been actively engaged in NASPA for over 15 years and has served in various leadership capacities, including the IV‐W Regional Director, Regional Conference Chair, and other Advisory Board positions. As Regional Director, Wayne helped create and pave the way for NASPA IV‐W to be a leader in Student Affairs for years to come. More importantly, Wayne taught the membership of IV‐W to be “strong, smart and caring” in everything we do. These words continue to resonate with the members of the IV‐W family and will continue to help shape our region for years to come.
Through his dedicated involvement and service, NASPA as a whole, and specifically Region IV‐W is in a better place because of Wayne’s contributions.
Presidential Excellence Award
Dr. John Richman
President, North Dakota State College of Science
The award for Presidential Excellence is presented to a college or university president who has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting Student Affairs staff and programs. They have had direct involvement in enhancing the quality of student life on campus, actively attempted to involve students and student life in governing the institution, and demonstrable contributions to the profession, which have an impact beyond their campus.
Dr. John Richman embodies the spirit of the student affairs profession through continually demonstrating his passion and commitment to supporting students’ success. Prior to being named President at the North Dakota State College of Science in 2007, President Richman served as the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, a position which had previously been solely focused on supporting the academic functions of the College. With his leadership a significant shift occurred moving resources and support toward student affairs functions allowing for an expectation of consistent collaboration between both student and academic affairs. His leadership also provided the opportunity for student development outside the classroom to be consistently supported, expected, and assessed.
President Richman has already left a legacy with students and colleagues alike at NDSCS and the future is looking even brighter.
James J. Rhatigan Outstanding Dean Award
Dr. Kimberly A. Grieve
Vice President and Dean of Students, University of South Dakota
The Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer is presented to a colleague who has sustained professional services in the area of student personnel work including: high-level competency in administrative skills, merited stature among and support of students, faculty, and fellow administrators on his or her campus, innovative response in meeting varied and emerging needs of students, effectiveness in the development of junior staff members.
Dr. Jim Rhatigan, who this IV-West Award is named for, was a champion of helping students overcome obstacles and find a means to recognize their potential. Kim must have borrowed his playbook as she has never lost her focus for the reason of our work: students. Despite maintaining meeting-filled days with campus partners, institutional leadership, university committees, and meetings with staff members, Kim always finds ways to keep students as the focus of her day.
Kim is an innovative, strategic, respected leader at the University of South Dakota and the NASPA IV-W Region. Like the namesake of this award, her career has led to senior leadership positions, but she never allowed promotion to come at the expense of student contact always maintaining students as the focus of her work.
Outstanding Faculty Member Award
Dr. Edward H. Hammond
Professor, Advanced Education Programs, Fort Hayes State University
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs through Teaching is presented to a faculty member who has contributed significantly to graduate higher education and the preparation of student affairs professionals. This award coincides with the Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member at the national level.
Dr. Ed Hammond was the Fort Hays State University President for 28 years prior to becoming the leader of the Higher Education in Student Affairs program at Fort Hays State University where he is now a full-time teaching faculty member. Dr. Hammond “grew up” in student affairs, holding numerous administrative positions across the country prior to coming to FHSU. Upon retiring from the presidency, Dr. Hammond enthusiastically began his duties as the HESA Program Director.
In addition to his large professional network, Dr. Hammond brings with him real world experience that he uses to help guide and mentor students. The value of having access to a faculty member with the administrative experience of Dr. Hammond cannot be measured and the willingness of Dr. Hammond to impart that experience in the education of HESA students will have lasting benefits for our profession.
Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award
Brett Bruner
Director of Transition & Student Conduct, Fort Hays State University
The Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award is presented to a student affairs professional with a minimum of 5 years’ experience. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the profession and to NASPA at the regional level, contributed to programs that address the needs of students, and is experienced in creating a campus environment that promotes students learning and personal development.
Brett has literally changed the scope of persistence and retention at Fort Hays State University. In less than five years he has designed and implemented a mandatory freshman experience class, strengthened current orientation programs, introduced a summer three-day extended orientation experience, packaged a first 40 days at FHSU program, created a living and learning ambassador program, transitioned our early alert program to a new platform, and collaborated with the virtual college to improve orientation and transition programs for distance learners.
Brett keeps student success as his “magnetic north” which fuels his drive to serve students, motivates him to make his campus a successful one, and invigorates his lasting passion for the profession.
Outstanding New Professional Award
Claire Allison
Program Coordinator, University of Arkansas
The Outstanding New Professional Award is presented to an individual who has been in the profession less than five years, is a NASPA member, and has made significant contributions to his or her campus, the regional organization, and the profession.
Claire Allison currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Campus Hunger Initiative at University of Arkansas. She began as a graduate assistant in 2014 and since then her skills as a non-profit professional and passion for sustainability have altered the Center for Community Engagement in a dynamic way.
Claire has taken U of A food programming to a whole new level initially launching the Razorback Food Pantry and expanding it to multiple locations, securing grant funding to launch the Campus Hunger Initiative all the while empowering students to lead these programs and to be at the heart of the success. She has modeled how to be a good partner and how to create dynamic collaborative relationships that are responsive to the changing needs of students who experience food insecurity and shaped student leaders with her sound advice and support. Claire is pragmatic, creative, and works very hard at managing projects that include and delight all stakeholders–and energize student volunteers!
Claire’s work to build a food recovery and panty network culminated in the partnership with DC Central Kitchen and the Campus Kitchens Project to bring the national Waste and Hunger Summit to the University of Arkansas. We are very fortunate to have Claire Allison as an advocate for the food insecure at the U of A, the State of Arkansas, and our nation.
Community College Professional Award
Jennifer A. Husum
Assistant Director of Student Life, Arapahoe Community College
The Community College Professional Award is presented to an individual at a Community College who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to student affairs and NASPA. Recipients have contributed to creating a campus environment that promotes student learning and personal development, are a current NASPA member or have retired from the region, and have made outstanding individual contributions in innovative and responsive services and programs that address the varied and emerging needs of students at the Community College.
Jennifer arrived at Arapahoe Community College in 2010 armed with a bucketful of new ideas, enthusiasm, and a quest to make ACC’s Student Life Office the best in the state. Under her leadership, Jennifer has taken a static Student Life program and transformed it into a dynamic, multidimensional experience to serve a diverse student population. A wide variety of programs are now directed toward parent‐students, veterans, older adult learners, traditional‐age students, as well as events geared for growth and enjoyment by all students which helps strike the right balance for student success. Not only has Jennifer breathed new life into how ACC serves students’ needs for development, but she also has successfully engaged faculty in out of the classroom student growth initiatives.
Sought after for her thoughtful insights and sharp analytical skills, Jennifer has become a go‐to professional at ACC, in Colorado, and in the profession.
NUFP Champion Award
Dr. Keegan N. Nichols
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Fort Hays State University
This NASPA IV-West NUFP Champion Award is presented to an individual who has served as a champion for students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised populations by hosting programs, providing professional development opportunities, or supporting other activities that advance campus, regional, or national NUFP initiatives.
Dr. Keegan Nichols serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator at Fort Hays State University, and for many years has brought her outstanding energy, enthusiasm, and passion to coordinating the NUPF Program.
Keegan’s student-centered approach and authentic desire to mentor, connect, and support students with an innovative mind are seen daily as she works with students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised student populations to consider the field of student affairs. As a mentor she strives to provide opportunities for NUPF Fellows to explore the many functional areas within student affairs and annually works with current NUFP fellows and outstanding student leaders from diverse populations to design and implement programs that serve as support mechanisms for new FHSU students.
Anyone who has met Keegan truly understands her passion for her work. She is amazingly optimistic at all times and brings a positive attitude to the workplace every single day. A student advocate 100% of the time, she has a way of connecting with students from the very first time they meet.
Support Staff Recognition Award
Minerva Correa-Torres
Executive Administrative Associate to the Vice President of Student Affairs, Missouri Western State University
The NASPA IV-West Support Staff Recognition Award is presented to a support staff member who is recognized for significant contributions to student success, higher education, and the profession of Student Affairs.
Minerva began her work at Missouri Western State University in 2010 where she is considered the “right hand” of the VPSA. Minerva’s role in the Student Affairs team expands far beyond the VPSA’s office as she assists with the Non-Traditional and Commuter Student Center, which is designed to assist 25% of the student population and she has been the lead in ensuring Veterans are remembered and provided for working directly with our MWSU Student Veterans of America chapter by advising student leadership She also reviews applications and awards scholarship funds for nine nontraditional student scholarships. She helped to streamline this award process by developing simple guidelines for selecting scholarship recipients. And she does all of this as a cancer survivor.
Minerva’s ability to lead, but her desire to not be in the spotlight, makes her very special. Students love her and are happy to hang out in her office to chat and tell her the latest “campus news.” She is a dedicated team player who is willing to help others, and who is steadfast in serving the students of MWSU.
Social Justice and Inclusion Award
Center for Multicultural Education
Missouri Western State University
The Social Justice and Inclusion Award is presented to an office, department, or division within a college or university that demonstrates a successful record of achievement in celebrating and creating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment.
The mission of The Center for Multicultural Education at Missouri Western State University is to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of students in a quest for knowledge that delivers the truth about self and others. They challenge students to explore cultural differences and to enhance and embrace the inherent value of this exploration as well as prepare students for the greatest usefulness in service to and respect of all people and all cultures. The Center for Multicultural Education is committed to student development and to improving the educational experience of all students through recruitment & retention efforts.
The staff is dedicated to the creation of a campus environment that is culturally diverse and accepting of differences. They work diligently at Missouri Western to create programs, impact personnel practices, create equal opportunities, and improve the overall campus climate.
Innovative Program Award
Campus Hunger Initiative
University of Arkansas
The Innovative Program Award is presented to a college or university for an outstanding innovative program which is defined as ideas, methods, or programs that result in improved educational activities, services, or management for a college or university community.
At the University of Arkansas, the Campus Hunger Initiative provides resources and research on the issue of campus hunger through programs, partnerships and student leadership opportunities. By identifying the issue of food insecurity on campus their goal is to create effective solutions that help meet students’ needs so that they may focus on excelling academically.
The NASPA IV-West publication awards are presented to institutions who have developed outstanding materials which contribute significantly to the field of Student Affairs. There are three categories:
Campus-Based Publication Award
Student Affairs Impact Report
University of Kansas
The Student Impact Report highlights not just the offices within Student Affairs, but also their accomplishments and service utilization; thus the title, “We make Learning Possible”. The report is also a tangible example of how assessment is used to tell their story allowing them to engage decision makers and help them understand the value of the work we do.
Campus Based Literature/Research Publication Award
Supervision Research and Booklet Project
Fort Hays State University
Supervision continues to be a buzzword within student affairs and this research project was an innovative way to explore the synergistic supervision styles of full-time student affairs graduate students holding an assistantship.
Campus-Based Video/Computer Software Award
You@CSU
Colorado State University
A portal designed to help students explore their strengths and areas for growth, You@CSU fosters student success in three domains: SUCCEED (academics/career); THRIVE (physical/mental health); and MATTER (purpose/community/social connections). The portal serves up relevant information and campus resources specific to the student upon completing “Reality Check” assessments and personalizing their profile. Throughout its development, an emphasis was placed on the importance of protecting student privacy while also providing a tool that is dynamic enough that students will find a reason to use it. The result was a system that in no way tracks individual use or responses, creating an environment in which students can feel safe to be honest and explore sensitive topics.
Rising Star Awards are presented to a new professional, a graduate student, and an undergraduate student in each state within the IV-West region. The recipient of the award has made significant contributions to their campus.
Undergraduate Student Rising Star Awards
Arkansas Leslie J. Parker - University of Arkansas
Colorado Alexis Opper - Colorado State University
Kansas Carla Parra-Martinez - Fort Hays State
Nebraska Marcus Manley - Doane University
North Dakota Stephanie Lee - University of North Dakota
Oklahoma Victor E. Morales - University of Central Oklahoma
Graduate Student Rising Star Awards
Arkansas Juan Robles - University of Arkansas
Colorado Leonardo Ayala - Colorado State University
Kansas John T. Gettemeyer - Fort Hays State University
Missouri Taylor Juenger - Missouri State University
Nebraska Stephanie Benes - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
North Dakota Setareh Campion - University of North Dakota
Oklahoma Bryson S. Beck - University of Oklahoma
South Dakota Nicholas Bratvold - University of South Dakota
New Professional Rising Star Awards
Colorado Jennifer M. Carter - Adams State University
Kansas Nick Hayden - University of Kansas Medical Center
Missouri Stephanie C. Toigo - University of Missouri
Nebraska Joseph W. Hanseling - University of Nebraska–Omaha
New Mexico Robert A. Anaya - New Mexico Highlands University
North Dakota Renee DuBois - North Dakota State University
Oklahoma Jennifer Cole-Robinson - Northeastern State University
South Dakota Laura Roof - University of South Dakota
Wyoming Kyle Inselman - Laramie County Community College