SU Announces 2023 Student Affairs Awards

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Student Affairs Division recently honored 10 campus community members and offices with its 2023 Student Affairs Awards. They included:

• Innovation Award – Student Health Services and Career Services Office
• Social Justice Award – Vanice Antrum, multicultural student services director
• Integrity Award – Susie West, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) administrative assistant II, and Hannah Prouse, Disability Resource Center student accessibility specialist
• Collaborative Excellence Award – Crystal Campbell, University Dining Services (UDS) marketing specialist, and Cassidy Zeller, outreach coordinator and counselor in the Counseling Center
• Campus Partner Award – Instructional Design and Delivery Office and Kelly Cowger, Guerrieri University Center coordinator
• Commitment to Excellence Award – Dr. Lawanda Dockins-Mills, interim assistant vice president of student affairs

The Innovation Award honors Student Affairs staff members, departments or groups that have generated one or more creative, novel and sustainable initiatives in the past year to enhance work, challenge assumptions, foster organizational health, and promote student learning and success.

Student Health Services was nominated for innovative practices to ensure students needing health care on campus were seen within 48 hours or less and for introducing a new tuberculosis screening option to help prevent potential outbreaks. Career Services was nominated for its new initiative which commemorates student successes by encouraging those obtaining jobs or internships through the office to ring a gong during a celebratory ceremony.

The Social Justice Award recognizes a staff member, department or group that has engaged in activities outside the framework of their regular responsibilities to help create and foster an equitable and inclusive campus community. Antrum was honored for her significant work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion initiative across campus and her dedication to programming in collaboration with Student Affairs departments.

The Integrity Award is presented to Student Affairs staff members who consistently have demonstrated the highest ethical and professional standards in the past year and who consistently uphold the division’s values and guiding principles.

West was honored for her work with staff and students while keeping the CSIL office running and working with outside vendors. Prouse was awarded for her dedication to enhancing the experiences of students with disabilities at SU, coupled with her work ethic and commitment to academic integrity.

The Collaborative Excellence Award recognizes Student Affairs staff members, departments or groups that have partnered with colleagues outside the division to design and implement programs, activities and services that enrich the SU experience, further student learning, advance social justice or optimize resources.

Campbell received the award for promotion of UDS, including SU’s Food for the Flock campus food pantry initiative, through social media, digital signage and outlets. Zeller was honored for taking the lead on Counseling Center outreach events, including campus tabling and student support activities.

The Campus Partner Award honors faculty or staff members, alumni or departments that have been an outstanding partner on a significant Student Affairs initiative to improve the SU experience for students.

Instructional Design and Delivery was recognized for its advocacy and support of the SU Bookstore’s inclusive access initiative, assisting with instructional materials, videos, and courses designed to assist faculty. Cowger was awarded for forging partnerships with the Student Organization for Activity Planning and intramural teams to enhance events for commuter students.

The Commitment to Excellence Award honors Student Affairs staff who have exhibited outstanding achievement in leadership in national or international professional organizations, significant services to SU, development and research activities, mentoring, or long-term service to the Student Affairs Division.

Dockins-Mills fit multiple qualifications for the award, returning to assist SU and the division in the interim position after retiring in 2020. With more than 35 years as a member of the University community, she was honored for advocating for staff, maintaining institutional knowledge and providing important contributions during a critical time of student development following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.