Gathering Details
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Staff Recognition Awards
Overview
Beginning in spring 2022, the Division of Student Affairs presented the inaugural staff recognition awards to recognize colleagues in the division for their outstanding teamwork, service, and commitment to student excellence.
The 2024 recipients are:
Tom Breyer – Champion of Humble Service
Shondra Russell – Service to Student Excellence
Sarah Lockwood – Outstanding Staff Teamwork
Awards Definitions
Please consider nominating a deserving colleague for each of the following division recognition awards:
The Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who collaborated and worked closely with other division staff throughout the year. They treat colleagues with respect, consider the ideas and opinions of others, share information, are willing to accept responsibility, and promote the spirit of teamwork within their unit and the larger community.
The Champion of Humble Service Award is given to an individual who works quietly behind the scenes for the good of students, Student Affairs, and the University. They go the extra mile and contribute immensely to a culture of care. While not always publicly celebrated, this individual demonstrates leadership through dedication and service.
The Service to Student Excellence Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who has made a significant difference in the life of one or more students. They have consistent interaction and engagement with students; assisting them under varying circumstances. They foster students’ academic, personal, and professional growth, contribute to student success, and advocate for students.
Nomination & Selection Process
Any classified/unclassified staff employed in the Division of Student Affairs, anytime between July 1, 2023 to present, is eligible for nomination. Nominations should include a brief reason for the nomination. Any classified/unclassified staff employed in the Division of Student Affairs may nominate. The 2022/2023 award recipients were the reviewing body. Recipients were announced at the spring 2024 Student Affairs Gathering.
For a complete list of eligible staff, click here.
Past Recipients
2023 Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award Recipient: Justin Sunada
2023 Champion of Humble Service Award Recipient: Stacey Rainey
2023 Service to Student Excellence Award Recipient: Luanne Carrillo-Avalos
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2022 Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award Recipient: Antonio Castellanos
2022 Champion of Humble Service Award Recipient: Paula Verdegaal-Taylor
2022 Service to Student Excellence Award Recipient: Alicia Monrroy
Past Student Affairs Gatherings
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Spring 2024 – Student Affairs Awards
Shout-Out to our Award Winners:
- Tom Breyer – Champion of Humble Service
- Shondra Russell – Service to Student Excellence
- Sarah Lockwood: Outstanding Staff Teamwork
Winter 2024 – WOUcha Kucha
A Special Thank-You to Our Presenters:
- Augusta Edwards
- Maria Bonifacio-Sample
- Megan Habermann
- Jodi Reimer
Fall 2023 – Mindfulness Insights (presented by Beth Scroggins)
Presentation slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gpZkafORJOy0hxcAu4KElXTj9l-E3nmmAyceJGGtbgw/edit?usp=sharing
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Spring 2023 – Student Affairs Recognition Awards
The 2023 recipients are:
Stacey Rainey – Champion of Humble Service
The Champion of Humble Service Award is given to an individual who works quietly behind the scenes for the good of students, Student Affairs, and the University. They go the extra mile and contribute immensely to a culture of care. While not always publicly celebrated, this individual demonstrates leadership through dedication and service.
Luanne Carrillo-Avalos – Service to Student Excellence
The Service to Student Excellence Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who has made a significant difference in the life of one or more students. They have consistent interaction and engagement with students; assisting them under varying circumstances. They foster students’ academic, personal, and professional growth, contribute to student success, and advocate for students.
Justin Sunada – Outstanding Staff Teamwork.
The Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who collaborated and worked closely with other division staff throughout the year. They treat colleagues with respect, consider the ideas and opinions of others, share information, are willing to accept responsibility, and promote the spirit of teamwork within their unit and the larger community.
Nomination & Selection Process: Any classified/unclassified staff employed in the Division of Student Affairs, anytime between July 1, 2022 to present, is eligible for nomination. Nominations should include a brief reason for the nomination. Any classified/unclassified staff employed in the Division of Student Affairs may nominate. The 2022 award recipients and the Student Affairs Leadership Team are the reviewing body. Recipients will be announced at the spring 2023 Student Affairs Gathering.
Winter 2023 – WOUcha Kucha
Fall 2022 – Responsible Employee Training
Presentation slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SjFMGxVrSEzMwnR8dQt4vFwN1gMfO7Wu0K8junkCxt4/edit?usp=sharing
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
Spring 2022 – Student Affairs Recognition Awards
Employees in the Division of Student Affairs had great successes and challenges this past academic year. From spearheading large projects and program implementation, providing outstanding student support services, partnering with campus units, managing the challenges that COVID-19 presents, lending support in times of crisis, or simply performing position roles & responsibilities beyond expectations, just to name a few. Each one of us has accomplished so much over the academic year and their hard work and commitment to Western students does not go unnoticed.
2022 Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award Recipient:
Antonio Castellanos, Admission & Financial Aid
The Outstanding Staff Teamwork Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who collaborated and worked closely with other division staff throughout the year. They treat colleagues with respect, consider the ideas and opinions of others, share information, are willing to accept responsibility, and promote the spirit of teamwork within their unit and the larger community.
2022 Champion of Humble Service Award Recipient:
Paula Verdegaal-Tyalor, ASWOU & Student Affairs
The Champion of Humble Service Award is given to an individual who works quietly behind the scenes for the good of students, Student Affairs, and the University. They go the extra mile and contribute immensely to a culture of care. While not always publicly celebrated, this individual demonstrates leadership through dedication and service.
2022 Service to Student Excellence Award Recipient:
Alicia Monrroy, Student Enrichment Program
The Service to Student Excellence Award is given to a Student Affairs employee who has made a significant difference in the life of one or more students. They have consistent interaction and engagement with students; assisting them under varying circumstances. They foster students’ academic, personal, and professional growth, contribute to student success, and advocate for students.
Nomination & Selection Process
Any classified/unclassified staff employed in the Division of Student Affairs, anytime between July 1, 2021 to present. Nominations included a brief reason for the nomination. Active employees within the division submitted nominations. The Student Affairs Leadership Team reviewed the pool of nominees and selected this years receipients.
Winter 2022 – WOUcha Kucha
Fall 2021 – #MMIW: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women
Presentation recording: https://www2.wou.edu/nora/woutv.video.viewer?pvideoid=1678
Presentation slides: WOU slides MMIW
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
Fall 2019 - Spring 2020
Winter 2019 - Spring 2019
Spring 2019 – Questions, Persuade, Refer (QPR) presentation by the WOU CASA and Suicide Prevention Program, WOU Research Institute
Winter 2019 – Student Media presentation by Rhys Rinch, Student Media Adviser, Student Engagement