The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recently recognized WashU Student Affairs professionals for their standout leadership, scholarship, and contributions to the student experience, highlighting individuals whose work is advancing the future of student support in higher education.
Phyllis Jackson, associate dean for the Office of Scholar Programs, and Jordan Cooper, director of Cross-Cultural Connections were selected for the Stellar 50 Award, an annual distinction celebrating student affairs professionals.
Additionally, Alli Roman-Robinson, director of the Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program, was honored as the 2026 Knowledge Community Publication Author. The honor celebrates her scholarly contributions to the field and her commitment to elevating student voices through research, writing, and thought leadership.
Jennifer Alanis, director of the Taylor Family Center for Student Success, and Victoria Ruiz, assistant director of the Kessler and Taylor Scholar Programs, received the NASPA Region IV-West Impact in Action Award. Alanis served as the Region IV-West 2025 conference chair and coordinated the regional conference. Ruiz served as the co-chair for marketing for the regional conference and aided the regional administration committee with their social media posts.