NASPA Excellence Awards 2007

The NASPA Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services and effective administration.

GRAND GOLD

Civic Learning: Impacting Students One at a Time
James Madison University

The Civic Learning program at James Madison University within the Office of Judicial Affairs provides an opportunity for students to become involved in a positive way with campus. Students learn about themselves, the impact they have on the campus community, and how feeling connected to your community makes a difference. The creation of a valid, reliable assessment has demonstrated that there is a significant increase in a student's sense of belonging as a result of this sanctioned program. In addition, the program provides for many constituents across campus, from faculty to administrative offices, to assist in student success.

GRAND SILVER

The ReadySet: Information for New Students at Syracuse University
Syracuse University

The ReadySet is Syracuse University's innovative approach to summer communications for first-year and transfer students. Introduced in 2007, it helps new students use the summer to prepare for their transition. Sent to students in five concise, sequenced packages, it replaces what was formerly a dizzying array of unrelated materials. As it reduces volume, the ReadySet helps process, prioritize, and organize information at key moments. Feedback from students, parents, alumni, institutional stakeholders, other institutions, and national organizations has been overwhelmingly favorable. Individual offices achieved significant cost savings, some in the five-figure range. Sign-up for several programs reached record highs this fall.

GRAND BRONZE

Study Abroad for Students with Disabilities
American University

When American University set goals in 2003 to dramatically increase participation in study abroad, the directors of disability support and academic support assumed a leadership role to assist students with disabilities in determining whether, where, and how to successfully study abroad. A multi-year approach included gathering data, collaborating with key staff across campus and overseas, and communicating with students to help them make good decisions. Since 2003, students with disabilities have kept pace with their peers in terms of increasing participation in study abroad, and coordination with disability support providers has enabled those students to access accommodations overseas.

Description of Excellence Awards Program

NASPA wishes to recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services and effective administration. Sharing our successes benefits students, improves institutions and promotes our profession. All NASPA members are encouraged to enter recently developed and/or longstanding programs and initiatives for consideration for NASPA Excellence Awards.

Programs selected for recognition will receive one of three award designations: Gold, Silver, or Bronze. These three levels of recognition will be awarded in each of the categories of Excellence Awards listed below.

Gold Award winners will:

• Be placed in consideration for the NASPA Gold Medal, NASPA Silver Medal and NASPA Bronze Medal grand awards designating the top three programs or initiatives.
• Receive NASPA Excellence Awards Certificates of Gold.
• Be prominently displayed at the NASPA Annual Conference.
• Be invited to participate in a poster session recognizing all Gold Award winners during the NASPA Annual Conference.
• Receive recognition through the NASPA Forum.
• Be showcased in a collection of Gold Award winners on the NASPA Excellence Awards web resource center.
• Receive letters of commendation sent by NASPA to the institution's president, senior student affairs officer, campus newspaper, and selected local media to announce the achievement.

Silver and Bronze Award winners will:

• Receive NASPA Excellence Awards Certificates of Silver or Bronze.
• Receive recognition through the NASPA Forum.
• Be included for two years in a collection of winning entries on the NASPA Excellence Awards web resource center.
• Receive letters of commendation from NASPA to the institution's president and senior student affairs officer.

The Gold Award winner in each category will be further considered for the highest awards for program excellence -- the NASPA Gold Medal, the NASPA Silver Medal and the NASPA Bronze Medal. The winners of these three grand awards will be recognized during the NASPA Annual Awards Luncheon.

Categories for Excellence Awards Entries

NASPA Excellence Award entries will be submitted and judged within one of the following programmatic categories:

• Housing, Residence Life, Campus Security, Contracted Services, Judicial, and related
• Student Union, Student Activities, Greek Life, Leadership, and related
• Enrollment Management, Orientation, Parents, First-Year, Other-Year, and related
• Student Health, Wellness, Counseling, and related
• International, Multi-cultural, Cultural, Gender, LGBTQ, Spirituality, Disability, and related
• Careers, Academic Support, Service Learning, Community Service, and related
• Off Campus, Commuter, Non-traditional, Graduate, Professional, and related
• Administrative, Assessment, Information Technology, Fundraising, Professional Development, and related
• Athletics, Recreation, Physical Fitness, Non-Varsity Sports, and related

Criteria for Excellence Awards Judging

Entries within each category will be reviewed by a cross-section of experienced NASPA members. Three judges will independently review submissions rating them from 1-10 using the following criteria:

• Positive impact on student learning, transitions, retention and/or success
• Relevance to institutional mission
• Demonstration of success in addressing student needs and/or critical campus issues
• Importance to one or more program areas included in this category
• Collaboration with academic affairs and other departments
• Originality and creativity
• Effective use of technology and other resources
• Innovative practical use of research and/or assessment and linking to learning outcomes
• Evidence of sustainability
• Quality of program description and submission