All of ACUI’s regions offer a variety of ways to recognize and provide opportunities to members through awards and scholarships. Throughout 2016, a total of 97 regional awards and scholarships were presented, with $30,589 being offered in funding to support student and professional development.
In the three years of the current regional structure, an average of 81 awards and scholarships for $27,895 has been presented annually.
Congratulations to the below list of this year’s recipients.
REGION I
Don and Noel Hinde Distinguished Service Award
Lynn Cacha, San Diego State University
Matt Cameron Outstanding Student Award
Edwin Avelar, California State University–Dominguez Hills
Debra L. Hammond Outstanding New Professional Staff Award
Giselle Atallah, California State University–Dominguez Hills
Staff-Driven Program of the Year
Dominica Ranieri, Alliant International University
Scholarship Recipients
Liza Bennett, San Diego State University
Linda Doo, California State University–Northridge
Bryant Garcia, California State University–Northridge
Lynn Gold, University of Nevada–Las Vegas
Giovany Paiz, California State University–Dominguez Hills
REGION II
Bernard Pitts Role of the College Union Award
Union Day 2016, University of Arkansas
Rising Star Award
Michael Mendoza, University of Houston
Shirley Plakidas Outstanding New Professional Award
Victoria Culver Rice, Missouri State University
William H. Smith Outstanding Professional Award
Audrey Taggart-Kagdis, Kansas State University
Scholarship Recipients
Katie Beaulieu, Texas Christian University
Neil Bourgeois, Southeastern Louisiana University
Priscilla Ipina, Texas Tech University
Joe LeConte, Texas Christian University
Cecilia Vilarreal, University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley
REGION III
Smith-Steele Award
Dr. Krista Harrell, University of South Alabama
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Aaron Lovitz, Florida State University
New Professional Award
Justin Edwards, University of North Carolina–Wilmington
Outstanding Advisor-Mentor Award
Dr. Michael King, University of Southern Mississippi
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader Award
Haley Phillips, University of North Carolina–Wilmington
Scholarship Recipients
Christine Amendola, North Carolina State University
Alexis Caliendo, North Carolina State University
Giovanna Colo, Georgia Institute of Technology
Victoria Cooper, University of Georgia
Reginald Howell, North Carolina State University
Nick Lang, Clemson University
Ankur Patel, University of North Carolina–Charlotte
Emily Rattini-Reich, Tallahassee Community College
Stephanie Schroeder, University of Southern Mississippi
Laura Thompson, Georgia Institute of Technology
REGION IV
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Kien Truong, Portland Community College
Outstanding New Professional Award
Sean Rathbun, Oregon State University
Rodie-Keintz Outstanding Mentor Award
Mike Mayers, Oregon State University
Student Driven Program of the Year
Ralphie’s Cooking Basics, University of Colorado–Boulder
Staff Driven Program of the Year
“Who U Reppin’?” Student Leadership Program, Portland Community College
Innovation in Sustainability Award
SEC Permaculture Garden, Student Sustainability Initiative, Oregon State University
Outstanding Student Training Program
Men’s Development & Engagement Program, Diversity & Cultural Engagement, Oregon State University
Scholarship Recipients
Bernie Liang, Seattle University
Ally Menzdorf, University of Utah
Abigail Ramos, Western Washington University
Kien Truong, Portland Community College
REGION V
Inspiring Vision Award for Mid-Level Student Affairs Professionals
Jeni Eltink, University of Minnesota–Duluth
Rising Star Award for New Professionals
Anthony Faris, North Dakota State University
Graduate Student of the Year Award
Darien Abadie, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale
Undergraduate Student of the Year Award
Ania Holubecki, Northwestern University
Justin Humphrey, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Program of the Year
Masters of Success Program, North Dakota State University
Other Quarterly Program Recognitions
Cosmic Bingo, Minnesota State University–Mankato
Poverty Simulation, North Dakota State University
Scholarship Recipients
Darien Abadie, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale
Courtney Chatterton, Northwestern University
Ann Comerford, Western Illinois University
Nick Dalton, University of Minnesota–Duluth
Jessi Eaton, University of Minnesota–Duluth
Simon Franco, University of Minnesota–Morris
Ania Holubecki, Northwestern University
Melissa Jones, Minnesota State University–Mankato
Bill Tourville, Minnesota State University–Mankato
REGION VI
Bob Rodda New Professional Award
Spencer Stidd, Virginia Tech
Colleen Hennessy Undergraduate Student Award
Todd Simmons, University of Akron
Colleen Hennessy Graduate Student Award
Megan Vermillion, University of Akron
Gretchen Laatsch Outstanding Service Award
Heather Beasley, Purdue University
Outstanding Staff Development Award
University of Akron
Outstanding Collaborative Programming Award
Political Engagement Programs, Indiana University-Purdue University–Indianapolis
Scholarship Recipients
Donte Sharpe, Virginia Commonwealth University
Charlie Schraw, Purdue University
Molly Tieman, Purdue University
REGION VII
Edgar A. Whiting Award
Dave Timman, West Chester University
Christine A. Chergi Award
Meg O’Sullivan, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Joseph H. Benedict Award
Kristen Mruk, Genesee Community College
Outstanding New Professional Award
Alexandra Beynon, Temple University
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Brittany Shaw, West Chester University
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Megan Henry, Temple University
Dr. Teresa D. Drummond Memorial Award
Language Matters, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Outstanding Community Building Program Award
Building Inclusive Communities, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Scholarship Recipients
Maria Barriga, University of Delaware
Luke Haumesser, University at Buffalo
Adriana Hernandez-Palomino, Philadelphia University
Lauren Ransom, Philadelphia University
Maiya Robinson, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Brandon Stroud, Rochester Institute of Technology
Ashley Wallace, American University
REGION VIII
Distinguished Service Award
Allison O’Connor, Curry College
College Union and Campus Life Role Model Award (Staff)
Gavin Telfer, Southern New Hampshire University
College Union and Campus Life Role Model (Student)
Allison McLean, Emerson College
New Professional Award
Ashley Austin, Tufts University
Student Employee Award
Abby Pieger, Curry College
Scholarship Recipients
Abby Feenstra, University of Vermont
John Wescott, Eastern Connecticut State University
Daniel Veira, Salem State University
Sherry Liang, Wesleyan University
Linzy Martinez, Central Connecticut State University
Korey Keeney, Acadia University
Chelsea Kryspin, Northeastern University