2022-2023 NASPA Excellence Award Winners
Supporting the Profession
February 8, 2023
We are pleased and honored to announce the recipients of the 2022-2023 NASPA Excellence Awards
Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. NASPA's Excellence Awards cover twelve categories crucial to the success of students. Sharing our successes benefit students, improves institutions, and promotes our profession.
Grand Winners
Gold
Bridges to Adelphi Program - Adelphi University
Category: Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and related
- Stephanie Grindell, LMHC, Senior Associate Director
- Diana Damilatis-Kull, LMHC, Director of the Bridges Program
- Emilyhang Luong, Research Team
- Breanna Vizlakh, Research Team
Silver
Period Equity Movement - Georgia Southern University
Category: Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, Wellness, and related
- Gemma Skuraton, Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion
- Megan Mercer, Associate Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion
- Gabi Wiggill, Undergraduate Student
Bronze
VCU Votes - Virginia Commonwealth University
Category: Civic Learning, Democratic Engagement, Community Service, Service-Learning, and related
- Reuban Rodriguez, Associate Vice Provost/Dean of Students
Awards By Category
Academic Advising, Careers, Graduate, Professional, and related
Gold
Bridges to Adelphi Program - Adelphi University
- Stephanie Grindell, LMHC, Senior Associate Director
- Diana Damilatis-Kull, LMHC, Director of the Bridges Program
- Emilyhang Luong, Research Team
- Breanna Vizlakh, Research Team
Silver
Kick Off Your Future - Florida Atlantic University
- Brian Montalvo, Senior Director for FAU Career Center
- Karen Gough, Assistant Vice President for FAU Career Center
Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, Wellness, and related
Gold
Period Equity Movement - Georgia Southern University
- Gemma Skuraton, Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion
- Megan Mercer, Associate Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion
- Gabi Wiggill, Undergraduate Student
Silver
SEA of Change and Waves of Change - Grand Valley State University
- Keri Becker, Director of Athletics
Campus Security, Crisis Management, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Violence Prevention, and related
Gold
Unlikely Allies in Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Student Led Prevention Efforts in a Technical Communication Classroom - Utah State University
- Emmalee Fishburn, MPH, CHES, Senior Prevention Specialist
- Avery Edenfield, PhD, Associate Professor of English
- Felicia Gallegos, MSW, Outreach & Prevention Coordinator
Civic Learning, Democratic Engagement, Community Service, Service-Learning, and related
Gold
VCU Votes - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Reuban Rodriguez, Associate Vice Provost/Dean of Students
Silver
17 Rooms of Service: Community Engagement at New Student Welcome Week ‘22 - University at Albany
- Martha Asselin, Director for Center for Leadership and Service
Bronze
Partnerships to Advance the Value of Education (PAVE) - California State University-Sacramento
- Chao Vang, Director for Educational Equity Access and Equity Strategist
Contracted Services, Housing, Residence Life, and related
Gold
NYU’s Incident Response Team: Professionalizing Crisis Management in the Campus Residential Setting - New York University
- Noelle Melartin, Associate Director of Residential Wellness
- David Lopez, Incident Response Manager
Silver
UH Dining Services - University of Houston
- Alexcis Mendoza, District Marketing Manager
- Azhu Garcia, Marketing Coordinator
- Veronika Glazunova, Graphic Designer
- Karina Baig, Marketing Specialist
Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, First-year, Other-year, Orientation, and related
Gold
The Eagle Experience - Georgia Southern University
- Ken Gassiot, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
- Amy Smith, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Brenda Richardson, Director - First and Second Year Experience
Silver
First Flight - University of North Texas
- Stephanie Brown, Director of Orientation and Transition Programs
Bronze
Data-Driven Onboarding Solutions - Rowan University
- Rihab Saadeddine, Ed.D., Assistant Vice President of Academic Innovation
- Amanda Coltri, MSL, Associate Director of Enrollment Systems & Onboarding Operations
- Jaclyn Dankel, Onboarding Committee Co-Chair & CRM Front End Developer
- Christina Newlands, Onboarding Committee Co-Chair & Operations Coordinator
Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and related
Gold
Bridges to Adelphi Program - Adelphi University
- Stephanie Grindell, LMHC, Senior Associate Director
- Diana Damilatis-Kull, LMHC, Director of the Bridges Program
- Emilyhang Luong, Research Team
- Breanna Vizlakh, Research Team
Silver
PennGenEq Pre-Orientation Program - University of Pennsylvania
- Elisa Foster, Interim Director for Penn Women’s Center
Bronze
The Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program - North Carolina State University
- Melvin Jackson, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement
- Stephanie Helms Pickett, Associate Vice Provost
First-generation Student Success and related
Gold
Robert J. McGuire Scholarship Program - Saint Francis College
- Anthony Desiderio, Director of Scholar Programs
Silver
Purpose First Scholars - Austin Peay State University
- Savannah Longo, Coordinator for Coaching & Student Success Initiatives
- Dr. Kacie Hutson, Director of Coaching & Student Success Initiatives
- Dr. Loretta Griffy, Associate VP of Academic Strategic Initiatives & Foundation Engagement
Fraternity and Sorority Life, Leadership, Student Activities, Student Union, and related
Bronze
Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy - Bowling Green State University, C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement
- Jacob Clemens, Senior Director
- Kendra Lutes, Assistant Director
- Hoang Do, Coordinator