Region IV-W

This award honors a student affairs professional or faculty member who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout their administrative or academic tenure.

The recipient of this award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the Bobby E. Leach Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award at the national level.  This award honors a student affairs professional or faculty member who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout their administrative or academic tenure.

To be eligible to receive the award, each applicant must:

• Have a strong and sustained record of professional and/or civic involvement in activities that promote diversity, and inclusion in education and/or the community

• Be actively engaged in advocating for, and advancing, diversity and inclusion in the profession through one's administrative and/or academic work

• Have a reputation for taking a stand on critical issues related to diversity, and inclusion even at risk to one's reputation and vocation

• Be dedicated to creating a campus environment that is culturally diverse and accepting of differences

• Be known as an individual whose work has "broken barriers" and in so doing has served as a role model, and helped to facilitate employment and educational access and opportunity, for others from diverse backgrounds

• Be an active NASPA member

The recipient of this award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA for the NASPA Annual Awards.  

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Volunteer service to NASPA via leadership roles at the state, regional, national, or international levels

• Minimum of ten continuous years of NASPA membership

• Active individual membership

• Progression from entry-level to senior-level leadership roles within NASPA’s volunteer ranks

• Involvement in multiple branches (e.g., Regions, Knowledge Communities, Divisions and Groups) of the association

• Volunteer service that has had a significant impact on NASPA as an association.

The recipient of the award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the Doris Michiko Ching Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award for the NASPA Annual Awards. 

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Have at least five years of experience as a full-time practitioner in the field of Student Affairs.

• Professional responsibility for the direction, oversight, and/or supervision of one or more student affairs functional areas, and/or one or more professional staff members; and

• Record of innovative programming that has had an impact on the home campus environment in one or more functional areas of student affairs; and

• Volunteer service to the association via leadership roles at the state, regional, national, or international levels, and 

• Active individual membership; and

• Progression from entry-level to senior-level leadership roles within NASPA’s volunteer ranks.

The recipient of the award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the President’s Award awarded by NASPA for the NASPA Annual Awards.

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Recognized by all constituencies as having special interest in student life for significant period of time

• Consistently provides support for student affairs staff and initiatives

• Active institutional NASPA membership

• Record of publications, speeches, and remarks that recognize the value and importance of student life

This award is presented to a NASPA IV-West Member who meets the following criteria:

• Has been in the profession of student affairs for less than five (5) years;

• Has made significant contributions to their campus, the regional organization and the profession; and

• Active individual membership. 

The recipient of the award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the Robert Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty member awarded by NASPA for the NASPA Annual Awards.  

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Tenured and teaching full-time in student affairs graduate preparation program; and 

• Responsible for teaching graduate or professional school students who generally pursue careers in higher education administration and student affairs; and

• Consistent and excellent mentorship of graduate students, several of whom have moved into responsible positions in higher education and student affairs; and 

• Solid record of scholarly achievement in appropriate journals and publications; and

• Active individual membership; and

• Significant contributions to professional associations

The recipient of this award will be the Region IV-West nominee for the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean awarded by NASPA for the NASPA  Annual Awards.  (*Dean refers to any title that denotes the lead student affairs officer on campus).  

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Serves as home institution’s Chief Student Affairs Officer 

• Seen as collaborative, effective, and inspirational by a range of campus constituencies

• Strategic and innovative in providing programs and services to students

• High level of competency in developing staff

• Active individual membership

• Exemplary managerial and administrative skills; and

• Extended length of service to student affairs profession and as a Chief Student Affairs Officer; and

• Leadership in greater campus and community affairs; and

• Significant contributions to literature about student affairs and higher education; and

• Significant contributions to professional associations

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to NASPA and/or the profession. Student affairs professionals in all positions are eligible for this award. 

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations: 

• Active involvement with the profession, NASPA, and Community College research, policies, or practice; at the regional level; 

• Contributed to creating a campus environment that promotes student learning and personal development; 

• Outstanding individual contribution to innovative and responsive services and programs that address varied and emerging needs of students; 

• A minimum of five years’ experience in student affairs; and

• Active individual NASPA IV-West membership. 

The following criteria will be used in evaluating nominations:

• Recognized by all constituencies as having special interest in student success; and 

• Consistently provides outstanding support to student affairs staff and initiatives; and 

• Active institutional NASPA membership.

The award is presented to a NASPA IV-West member who meets the following criteria.  

• Contributed to the NUFP program by serving as a NUFP mentor, providing advocacy for a campus-based NUFP initiative, or championing and supporting the NUFP program through other actions or activities;

• 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; and

• Active individual membership

This award honors a student affairs professional at the AVP or senior-level whose outstanding commitment to the profession includes development of programs that address the needs of students, creation of a campus environment that promotes student learning and development, and support of and active engagement in NASPA.

Criteria:

• Professional responsibility for the direction and oversight of two or more student affairs functional areas, and/or three or more professional staff members

• Record of innovative programming that has had an impact on the home campus environment in more than one functional area of student affairs

• Volunteer service to the association via leadership roles at the state, regional, national, or international levels

• At least ten years of service to the student affairs profession or relevant functional area

• Reports to the deputy or most senior student affairs officer on campus and is not the Vice President of Student Affairs

• Active individual NASPA membership

• Progression from entry-level to senior-level leadership roles within NASPA’s volunteer ranks

This award is presented to 5 new professionals who meets the following criteria: 

• In the profession less than three (3) years; 

• Employed in a full-time position with a Division of Student Affairs; 

• Significant contribution to their campus; and

• Preference given to masters-prepared individuals.

(NOTE: This differs from the regional Outstanding New Professional Award in that it does not require NASPA membership or NASPA service, and targets nominees who have been in the profession only three years or less)

This award is presented to 5 graduate students who meets the following criteria: 

• Currently pursuing masters or doctoral work in a Student Affairs-related degree program, with intention of pursuing a career within Student Affairs (preference should be given to those enrolled on a full-time basis); 

• Involvement in campus activities and organizations; 

• Campus leadership; and 

• Graduate Assistantship, paraprofessional or internship employment within a Student Affairs Division.

This award is presented to 5 undergraduate students who meets the following criteria:

• Involvement in campus activities and organizations; 

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate program with junior or senior status; 

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; 

• Campus leadership; 

• Paraprofessional employment with a Division of Student Affairs; and

• Intentions of pursuing a Student Affairs-related advanced degree.

This award is presented to the institutions who have developed and implemented programs which result in improved educational activities, services, or management for an individual campus community or group of campus communities. 

Criteria include: 

·         involves collaboration with the other university departments; 

·         can be adopted by other institutions; 

·         demonstrates financial creativity or cost effectiveness; 

·         contains an evaluation component - evidence of effectiveness; 

·         encourages diverse and/or multiple subgroups to participate; and 

·         addresses a demonstrated need on campus. 

To nominate a program for the Regional Innovative Program Award, complete the "Award Nominee" section by indicating the name of the Innovative Program and the "Person Making the Nomination" section. Include the description or information about the program under the Supporting Letter 1. Attach a pdf file or a link to the program as Support Letter 2. No additional supporting letters are needed unless the nominee would like to submit additional letters of support. 

The awards are presented to institutions who have developed outstanding materials which contribute significantly to the field of Student Affairs. Awards may be made in three categories:

• Campus-Based Publication Award 
• Campus-Based Literature/Research Award publications (coincides with the Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research at the national level); and
• Campus-Based Video/Computer Software Award

To nominate a program for a Regional Publication Award, complete the "Award Nominee" section by indicating the name of the publication and the "Person Making the Nomination" section. Include the description or information about the publication under the Supporting Letter 1. Attach a pdf file or a link to the program as Support Letter 2. Resumes of the authors of the literature/research publication nomination must also be included as an attachment. No additional supporting letters are needed unless the nominee would like to submit additional letters of support.