THE 2023 STUDENT AFFAIRS END OF YEAR AWARDS
Hill Student Center Ballrooms
Friday, May 5, 2023
The UAB Division of Student Affairs hosted its annual End of Year Awards Celebration to recognize the excellence, innovation and impact of Student Affairs programs, staff, and departments. Nine different awards that were recognized: Outstanding Star (Support Professional), Outstanding Star (Professional), Outstanding Contributor to Higher Education, Program of the Year, New Professional of the Year, the Andy Marsch Legacy Award, Outstanding Student Affairs Partner, Program of the Year, Event of the Year and Department of the Year.
Congratulations to all this year’s nominees and winners.
STUDENT AFFAIRS MILESTONES: YEARS OF SERVICE
The Division of Student Affairs recognized those who reached service milestones in their careers at UAB, epitomizing Student Affairs as one of the most promising places to work in the profession.
5 YEARS OF SERVICE
Theresa Bischoff (Student Health Services), Caroline Cartledge (Student Health Services), Lauren Cotant (Student Involvement & Leadership), Aydrian Miles (Student Health Services), Kasey Robinson (Title IX), Dennis Scott (Student Housing & Residence Life), Mary Wallace (AVP for Student Experience) and Herbert Wilkerson (Student Multicultural & Diversity Programs)
10 YEARS OF SERVICE
Jennifer Liptrot (Title IX), Monica Merriweather (Student Health Services) and Leslie Riley (Student Counseling Services).
15 YEARS OF SERVICE
Sherri Moultrie (Disability Support Services)
20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Marc Booker (Student Housing & Dining) and Allison Solomon (Disability Support Services)
25 YEARS OF SERVICE
Phillip Bivens (Office of VP for Student Affairs, Finance & Administration)
HIGHLIGHTS
WINNERS & NOMINEES
Outstanding Star (Support Professional)
This award honors an individual who supports their respective department in the delivery of programs or services to students. In addition, the individual takes into consideration the needs of not only the student, but also their fellow colleagues. The individual contributes by going beyond expectations to make a tangible impact in the past year.
WINNER
Synclaire Casselberry
Community Standards and Student Accountability
NOMINEES
Malee Galloway (UAB Career Center)
Outstanding Star (Professional)
This award honors an individual who has primary responsibilities in planning, developing and/or delivery of programs or services to students. This person takes great strides to make a meaningful impression on fellow staff members, but when collaborating with other colleagues on and off campus.
WINNER
Joy Burrell
Disability Support Services
NOMINEES
Monica Merriweather (Student Health Services), Sharifa Wip (Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs), Henry Knejfl (University Recreation), Jessica Conger (Marketing and Communications) and Cameron Hudson (Hill Student Center)
Outstanding Contributor to Higher Education
This award honors an individual who has made contributions to the Student Affairs profession in an exceptional way through research and scholarship. Such contributions include but are not limited to conference presentations, published articles, and/or implementation of best evidence-based innovative approaches within the Student Affairs profession.
WINNER
Rebecca Kennedy
AVP, Student Health & Wellbeing
NOMINEES
Shawra Rainer (Community Standards and Student Accountability), Bobby Whitehead (Community Standards and Student Accountability) and Jacqueline Alexander (Student Media)
New Professional of the Year
This award honors an incoming professional, new to the division, who has used their short time at UAB to have a positive impact on their department. The recipient will be one who interacts and engages students through programming, counseling, or leadership development. This employee provides outstanding service.
WINNER
Taylor Stewart
Student Affairs Marketing & Communications
NOMINEES
Thomas Gibson (University Recreation), Allison Martin (University Recreation), Glynnis Jackson (Housing & Residence Life) and Tiffany Holloway (UAB Career Center)
Andy Marsch Legacy Award
This award honors an individual who exemplifies the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. The nominee must be employed with UAB for no less than seven years, four within the Division of Student Affairs. The ideal candidate is a pillar of student involvement, engagement, and success on the UAB campus and by making visible contributions towards the ongoing development of the Division and University as a whole. This person demonstrates a commitment towards excellence aligning with the Student Affairs values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, advocacy and remaining student-centered in all they do.
WINNER
Michael Faircloth
Student Health Services
Outstanding Student Affairs Partners
This award honors departments, groups, or individuals outside of the division who have played a visibly active role in assisting in the overall mission of the Division. Partnerships with the nominee and Division departments are impactful for students and help the Division reach its strategic priorities.
WINNER
Wayne Nall
Maintenance Field Supervisor in UAB Facilities
Program of the Year
This award honors impactful programming aimed at developing students and/or Student Affairs professionals. Programs are built to drive long-term success which help propel and important shift in the service of students.
WINNER
Blazer Market Route
Student Assistance & Support
NOMINEES
Student Involvement & Leadership (National Hazing Prevention Week), Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs (Coming Out On The Green), University Recreation (Adventure Recreation), University Recreation (Fitwell), Campus Dining, Housing & Residence Life, Marketing & Communications, Hill Student Center (Cooking Health Smart) and Off-Campus Student and Family Engagement (Little Blazer Wishes)
Event of the Year
This award honors either an individual, department, committee or group who has created an impactful event aimed at developing students and/or Student Affairs professionals. The awards committee considers not only what drew the largest crowds, but also those which inspired excellence.
WINNER
Take Back the Night
Wellness Promotion
NOMINEES
Student Media (Taste of UABham), Campus Dining (Octoberfest), Student Involvement & Leadership (Connect Fest), UAB Career Center (UAB Diversity Meet Up) and Hill Student Center (SACSA)
Department of the Year
This award honors a department that has excelled in helping to develop and assist students, Student Affairs professionals, and the Division of Student Affairs. This department should be one that has effectively executed impactful, educational, and innovative programs which promotes the mission and values of the Division, and growth of students and staff alike.
WINNER
Campus Dining
NOMINEES
UAB Career Center, University Recreation