The Student Affairs Awards call attention to the positive work being accomplished in the areas of Student Affairs. Nominations are encouraged from members of the Division of Student Affairs and selected by the Student Affairs Awards Selection Committee.
Nominate a colleague for a staff award
Division of Student Affairs staff who have been employed two or more years can be nominated for more than one of the eight awards in a calendar year. While an employee will receive one award per year, a past winner will not be eligible for a specific award two consecutive years.
Recognition
Award recipients will be announced during the annual Student Affairs Professional Development Day. Award recipients will receive an individualized award plaque and be featured on the awards display wall outside of the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.
Awards
The “W” Award is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon Student Affairs staff at Washington University. The recipients’ efforts have been continuous during their years at the university and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “W” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the university, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.
Past “W” Award winners
2024: Ally Schipma, Residential Life
2023: Kelly Cannon, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
2022: Phyllis Jackson, Campus Life
2021: Dr. Cheri LeBlanc, Habif Health and Wellness Center
2020: Larry Kindbom, Athletics
2019: Katharine Pei, Student Transitions & Family Programs
This individual works quietly behind the scenes for the good of Student Affairs and WashU though not publicly celebrated, demonstrates leadership through dedication and service. This award is designed to celebrate the contributions of employees often completing responsibilities “behind the scenes.”
Past Unsung Hero Award winners
2024: Nicole Gore, Student Conduct & Community Standards
2023: Tracy Baden, Residential Life
2022: Rhonda Kiely and Patti Forest, Residential Life
2021: Scott Wagganer, Residential Life
2020: Residential Life Housekeeping Staff
2019: Jeff Allen and Janice Davidse, Campus Life
The Campus Partner Award recognizes an outstanding faculty and staff member or department, outside of Student Affairs, who has made significant contributions to student development and co-curricular learning as demonstrated through collaboration, involvement and partnership(s) with Student Affairs. The recipient enhances the mission of Student Affairs and goes beyond occupational requirements – through guidance, mentorship, advocacy and/or advising; promoting leadership, personal responsibility and self-governance; and, fostering an environment of inclusivity and appreciation for all – to enhance students’ experiences at WashU.
Past Campus Partnership Award winners
2024: WUPD
2023: Tim Thornton, Financial Services
2022: Dr. Steve Lawrence, Washington University School of Medicine
2021: Jen Smith and Jennifer Kohl, College of Arts and Sciences
2020: Deanna Wendler-Modde, Office of the General Counsel
2019: Professor Brian Carpenter, Psychological & Brain Sciences
This award recognizes a Student Affairs staff member who has made a significant difference in the lives of students by going above and beyond in order to provide a culture of care, the highest ethical and professional standards in one or more instances in the past year. Top nominees will be easily recognized as stellar citizens of Student Affairs who consistently uphold our values and guiding principles.
Past Culture of Care Award winners
2024: Matthew Sullivan, Disability Resources
2023: Ally Schipma, Residential Life
2022: Callista Isabelle, Office of Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life
2021: Kawanna Leggett, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
2020: Amy Piontek and Erika Burke, Disability Resources
2019: Phoebe Richards, Career Center
The Student Affairs Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes a staff member, department, or group within Student Affairs who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion within their department, Student Affairs, the university community. The recipient should be someone who has advocated for the inclusion of underrepresented groups, promotes social justice, and cultivates a respectful environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Past Inclusive Excellence Award winners
2024: Mark Schlafly, Center for Career Engagement
2023: Sabrina Brown, Taylor Family Center for Student Success
2022: Yujia Lei, Habif Health and Wellness Center
2021: Hope Young, Campus Life
2020: Athletics Department
2019: Jordan Cooper, Residential Life
This award, which can be group or individual, recognizes exemplary use of data and assessment practice to make high impact improvements. Nominated individuals or groups have demonstrated high quality use of data to drive decision-making in their units, implemented creative data collection strategies and methods or effectively engaged with campus or community data sets to learn about and respond to the needs of our students.
Past Measuring Success Award winners
2024: The Taylor Family Center for Student Success Team
2023: Bryan Lenz, Athletics and Recreation
2022: Reggie Gacad, Student Transitions & Family Programs
2021: Beth Doores, Campus Life
2020: Career Center
2019: Martha Turner, Office of International Students and Scholars
The name and story award is awarded to a Student Affairs staff member who has consistently demonstrated the effort to know the students they work with by name and story. They have demonstrated their active commitment to the success of each and every student by prioritizing and focusing on the impact of our work on students.
Past Name and Story Award winners
2024: Lucas Smith, Recreation: Club & Intramural Sport
2023: Jackee Hill, Athletics and Recreation
2022: Travis Tucker, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and Annie Kelly, Office of Student Success
2020: Stephanie Weiskopf
2019: Jason Marquart, Office of International Students and Scholars
This award recognizes an individual or group within Student Affairs that has worked in the field of Student Affairs for less than 5 years (at WashU or other institutions) and is a standout with new ideas and initiatives to enhance the student learning environment. Nominees for this award have impacted the community in their short time at WashU by generating one or more creative, novel, and sustainable initiatives, challenging assumptions, fostering organizational health, to create a solution that addresses a gap or need within their department or the Division.
Past New Professional Award winners
2024: Ahmar Ursani, Center for Career Engagement
2023: Mary Reid, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center
2022: Aeryel Williams, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
2021: Raven Robinson, Residential Life
2020: Jordan Worthington, Habif Health and Wellness Center