Award Recipients

In 2017-2018, the Division of Student Life Awards were restructured to better reflect the current work of the division and to increase recognition of individuals’ contributions regardless of position. Due to COVID-19, awards were not given out in 2021.

Academic Partnership Award

Presented annually to a department and full-time staff member who have worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or connects social and intellectual activities in an intentional manner.

2023 | Department, Jewish Life, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
2023 | Individual, Mariann King

2022 | Department, Gender & LGBTQIA Center
2022 | Individual, Melanie Bullock Harris

2020 | Department, Changemaker Advisory Committee
2020 | Individual, Charlotte Williams

2019 | Department, Campus Recreation and Wellness
2019 | Individual, Aliana Harrison

2018 | Department, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
2018 | Individual, Bob Frigo

Administrative Professional Award

Presented annually to a Student Life administrative professional (hourly staff member) who exhibits exceptional ability, commitment, and excellence in supporting student success and departmental/divisional priorities and projects.

2017 | Margie Watkins, Program Assistant Fraternity and Sorority Life
2016 | Felicia Massey, Program Assistant Student Development
2015 | Nicole Bergen, Program Assistant for Campus Recreation
2014 | Susan Lindley, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
2013 | Jan Register, Program Assistant Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
2012 | Libby Otos, Program Assistant Kernodle Center for Civic Life

Collaboration Award

Presented annually to a department and full-time staff member who have excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to advance priorities of the division and/or university and enhance the student experience.

2023 | Department, Kernodle Center for Civic Life & Student Involvement
2023 | Individual, Alexis Swider

2022 | Department, Campus Recreation & Outreach
2022 | Individual, Jenni Spangenberg

2020 | Department, Student Care and Outreach
2020 | Individual, Trianne Smith

2019 | Department, Center for Leadership
2019 | Individual, Whitney Gregory

2018 | Department, Gender & LGBTQIA Center
2018 | Individual, Jackie Allred

2017 | Fraternity and Sorority Life with Health Promotions-Social Event Manager Training
2016 | Campus Recreation and Health Promotion for Love Your Body Week
2015 | Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Center for Leadership, New Student and Transition Programs, Residence Life, and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life for Stop Hunger Now
2014 | Kernodle Center for Civic Life
2013 | Office of Student Activities
2012 | Center for Leadership and Multicultural Center for Intersect 2012 Conference
2009 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
2008 | Residence Life, Greek Life and Physical Plant for Powerless and Recyclemania competitions
2006 | The Office of Greek Life

Inclusive Excellence Award

Presented to a department and full-time staff member who have demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

2023 | Department, Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC)
2023 | Individual, Simone Royal

2022 | Department, Equity Audit Work Group
2022 | Individual, Betsy Polk

2020 | Department, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
2020 | Individual, Detric Robinson-Miller

2019 | Department, Residence Life
2019 | Individual, Diana Prieto Viñas

2018 | Department, New Student and Transition Programs
2018 | Individual, Kaila Price

2017 | Muslim Life
2016 | The Gap Program
2015 | The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE)
2014 | Hillel
2013 | Kernodle Center for Civic Life
2012 | Elizabeth Nelson, Associate Director of Health Promotions & Coordinator for Inter-personal Relations and Community Well-being
2011 | Richard Baker, Assistant Director of Residence Life, West Area
2008 | Pride Week
2006 | The Kernodle Center for Civic Life

Innovation Award

Presented to a full-time staff member and program that have developed programs, services, or ways of working that are new, unique, or forge new pathways in supporting our divisional mission and goals.

2023 | Department, Moseley Center
2023 | Individual, Shannon Finney

2022 | Department, New Student Programs
2022 | Individual, Callie Kelly

2020 | Department, Campus Recreation and Wellness & Counseling Services
2020 | Individual, Sarah Williams

2019 | Department, Counseling Services
2019 | Individual, Jenny Ciesiulka

2018 | Department, Professional Development Committee
2018 | Individual, Chris Jamison

2017 | Launch of Phoenix Connect, Jenny Ciesiulka
2016 | Ripple Interfaith Conference, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
2015 | Mindfullness, Jennifer Brigmann and Joel Harter
2014 | Battleship, Campus Recreation
2013 | LEAD Program, Steve Mencarini
2012 | Gap Semester Program, Steve Morrison
2011 | Laser Tag Tournament, Bobby Dunlap and Karley Counts
2009 | Greek Leaders Retreat
2008 | Office of Residence Life
2006 | Office of Residence Life

Mentoring Award

Presented annually in Student Life to a full-time staff member who is an exceptional mentor to students, engaging with them in purposeful student development activities.

2023 | Lauren Feeley
2022 | Nicole Bergen
2020 | Becca Bishopric Patterson
2019 | Susan Lindley
2018 | Sylvia Muñoz

New Professional Award

Presented to a full-time staff member serving in their first or second year at Elon, who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work a Student Life professional.

2023 | Tanner Gill
2022 | Jordan Buie
2020 | Harry Titus
2019 | Kyle Anderson
2018 | Samantha Murray
2017 | Carrie Seigler, Multi-faith and Intern Coordinator
2016 | Diana Abrahams, Multi-faith and Intern Coordinator
2015 | Matthew Antonio Bosch, Director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center
2014 | Debbie Norris, Associate Director of Campus Recreation
2013 | Evan Small, Special Programs Coordinator, Kernodle Center
2012 | Katie Hight, Director of New Student Programs
2011 | Karley Counts, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation
2008 | Phil Smith, Assistant Chaplain and Director of Religious Life
2006 | Meghan Dillon, Assistant Director for Campus Recreation

Professional Achievement Award

Presented to a full-time staff member who has made a significant contribution to the student affairs profession.

2023 | Jonathan McElderry
2022 | Jenny Larson
2020 | Jan Fuller
2019 | Matthew Antonio Bosch
2018 | Larry Mellinger