Elon University’s Division of Student Life celebrates excellence and leadership at year-end luncheon

Elon University’s Division of Student Life recognized staff members, graduate apprentices and departments for their achievements and dedication during the annual Student Life Year-End Celebration.

The celebration opened with remarks from Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life and assistant professor of education. During his speech, he highlighted how the celebration not only marked the conclusion of an academic year but also signified the completion of the 2020-2025 Student Life Strategic Plan. He spoke to the resilience of the division, overcoming and navigating challenges, such as COVID-19 and global conflicts, emphasizing that the plan’s accomplishments convey only part of the story. The true impact is seen in the daily dedication and efforts of the Student Life staff.

“The full story is written in your day-to-day work, your steady leadership and contributions, those quiet moments when you’re mentoring and supporting a student, your bold moves to innovate in complex times, and your commitment to each other and to our shared mission,” Dooley expressed during his remarks.

The celebration continued with an invocation from the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement. Special guests in attendance included Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of students emeritus; Richard McBride, university chaplain emeritus; Janice Ratliff, retired administrative assistant to the dean of students; and Student Life retirees. Following the welcome and opening remarks, the event transitioned to honoring the outstanding achievements of Student Life staff and departments.

Awards presented included the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, along with awards celebrating excellence in academic partnership, collaboration, inclusive excellence, innovation, mentoring and professional achievement. Further acknowledgments were given to years of service, professional development scholarship recipients and the contributions and vital work of Student Life committees and working groups, such as the assessment committee, professional development committee and honor board members.

2025 Division of Student Life Award Recipients

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award
Tammy Hill, Student Health Insurance Project Manager

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented to graduating seniors, alumni and community members of selected colleges and universities in the Southern United States for excellence of character and service to humanity.  At Elon, two graduating seniors and one faculty or staff member are recognized annually for their honesty, morality, ethics, integrity, responsibility, determination, courage and compassion.

Academic Partnership Award
Professional: Sarah Ann Chapman, Residence Life
Department: Kernodle Center for Civic Life

The Academic Partnership Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional and department that worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or intentionally connects social and intellectual activities.

Administrative Professional Award
Jackie Allred, Student Invovlement

The Administrative Professional is 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.

Collaboration Award
Professional: MJ Larrazabal, Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE)
Department: Counseling Services

The Collaboration Award is presented to an individual and department that has excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to enhance the student experience by advancing the division’s and/or the university’s priorities.

Inclusive Excellence Award
Professional: George Dou, Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE)
Department: Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

The Inclusive Excellence Award is presented to a professional and department that has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Innovation Award
Professional: Charles Evans, Counseling Services
Department: Health Promotion

The Innovation Award is presented to a professional and department that has developed new, unique programs, services, or ways of working to support our divisional mission and goals.

Mentoring Award
Olivia Brown, Center for Leadership

The Mentoring Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional who is an exceptional mentor to students and engages with them in purposeful student development activities.

New Professional Award
Abdul-Malik Harrison, Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE) and Jordyn Williams, Residence Life

The New Professional Award is presented to an individual serving in their first or second year at Elon who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work as a Student Life professional.

Professional Achievement Award
Callie Kelly, Health Promotion

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to the student affairs profession.

Years of Service

5 Years

• Tal Fish
• Mary Harding

10 Years

• Boaz Avraham-Katz
• Marcia Dodson

15 Years

• Sandra Bays

20 Years

• Tammy Hill

Professional Development Scholarship
Cam Adams, Kristen Carrier, Abdul-Malik Harrison and Sydney Simmons Harrison

The Professional Development Scholarship Award is designed to extend beyond those opportunities to support employees to continue their professional growth through participation in selected professional experiences. Participants are expected to develop a creative strategy for sharing insights and lessons learned with colleagues back on campus.