Paying Tribute by Paying it Forward

Jim Rhatigan Fellowship Scholarship

To help defray the cost of the NASPA Annual Conference for graduate students pursuing a master's or doctoral program in higher education, student affairs, or other related field, the NASPA Foundation offers nine scholarships valued at $1,000. Funds must be used towards the cost to attend the NASPA Annual Conference held every March.

Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA

This award, named for a past Chair of the NASPA Board of Directors (1958-1959) and former Chief Student Affairs Officer at the University of Illinois, honors a NASPA member who has served in leadership roles at the state, regional, national, or international levels of NASPA, and who has had, at minimum, ten continuous years of NASPA membership.  The Fred Turner Award is NASPA’s equivalent of a lifetime achievement award; each recipient has brought honor and dignity to the student affairs profession, and to NASPA as an association, for a sustained period of time.

Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member

Established in 1986, this award, named for a Dean and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, is presented to a tenured, full-time faculty member in a graduate preparation program in student affairs.  Each Robert H. Shaffer Award recipient has inspired graduate students and served on doctoral dissertation committees; has a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, including publication in relevant literature; and has made significant contributions to professional associations.

Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean

This award, named for NASPA’s founding Chair of the Board of Directors (1919-1920) and former dean of men at the University of Wisconsin, is presented to a Dean* who has demonstrated sustained professional achievement in student affairs work, innovative response in meeting students' varied and emerging needs, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in community and college or university affairs. The award recipient must also have earned stature among and support of students, faculty, and fellow administrators on campus, and made significant contributions to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.

Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year

The NASPA Foundation Hardee Award—named after student affairs and higher education pioneer Dr. Melvene D. Hardee of Florida State University—honors the best emergent scholarship in the field as demonstrated through a completed dissertation, in addition to the mentorship that shapes these scholars and the passion of the newly minted doctoral degree. These are a few hallmarks of quality graduate education. Dr. Hardee, herself, was an advocate for graduate students and graduate education. In 1958, she helped form the Higher Education program at Florida State University, where she stayed the duration of her career, shepherding more than 100 students through the masters and doctoral degree process. In 1988, NASPA was fortunate enough to give Dr. Hardee the Robert H. Schaffer Award in recognition of her continued commitment to the professional growth of students. The student affairs and higher education community was fortunate to have such a strong advocate for the profession.

Doris Michiko Ching Award for Excellence as a Student Affairs Professional

Named for a former Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Hawaii and the first woman of color and first Asian Pacific Islander to be elected Chair of the NASPA Board of Directors (1999-2000) and Chair of the NASPA Foundation Board (2002-2004), this award honors a student affairs professional at the mid-level, senior-level, or AVP-level whose outstanding commitment to the profession includes development of programs that address the needs of students, creation of a campus environment that promotes student learning and development, and support of and active engagement in NASPA.

George D. Kuh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research Award

Named in 2011 for the Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus at Indiana University and Director, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment, this award honors an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to research and scholarship related to higher education. The honoree’s work should address important and substantial issues, and have had a significant or transformative effect on higher education and student affairs practice in a national or international context.

Ruth Strang Research Award

This image is provided courtesy of the Gottesman Libraries at Teachers College, Columbia University

Ruth Strang served as editor of NAWDC's Journal for 25 years and was a prolific writer and editor in field of student affairs. The Ruth Strang Research Award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to the body of literature concerning women in higher education. This award encourages high-quality research related to women in higher education and seeks to promote research by, for, and about women. Submissions may be published or unpublished articles, academic papers, book chapters, or portfolios that show strong scholarship and address topics relevant to the education of women and their personal and professional development.

Alice Manicur Symposium

The Alice Manicur Symposium is held every other year and is a transformative experience for women seeking to advance their careers in higher education.

Bobby E. Leach Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award

This award honors a senior student affairs professional or faculty member who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout their administrative or academic tenure. This award is named in honor of the first person of color to serve as NASPA president and who was also the first African American Administrator at Florida State University.  Dr. Leach’s life and career was dedicated to bringing people of different backgrounds together for the purpose of promoting equality for all.

Zenobia Hikes Memorial Award

The Zenobia Hikes Memorial Award honors the memory of a beloved VPSA of Virginia Tech who passed unexpectedly in 2008.  This award is sponsored by the NASPA Center for Scholarship, Research, and Professional Development for Women (Center for Women) to recognize a NASPA member who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of women in higher education and to student affairs.  The recipient will receive a plaque presented at the Center for Women Reception at the NASPA Annual Conference.

This award recognizes NASPA members with at least ten years of full time work in Student Affairs who have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of women in higher education and to student affairs, through mentoring and professional development activities.  These women also have a strong evidence of contributions to the development of students as engaged citizens and ethical leaders and a record of community service to the profession and locally. Women and minorities are particularly encouraged to apply or be nominated.

The Dungy Leadership Institute

The Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI) is a six-day workshop focused on skill building and career development. Formerly known as the Summer Leadership Institute and renamed after Executive Director Emeritus Gwendolyn Dungy in 2012, fellows have the opportunity to meet and interact with other Fellows and administrators from across the country, as well as student affairs administrators serving as institute faculty, at this event. DLI provides not only an in-depth leadership development experience, but also prepares Fellows for graduate work in student affairs/higher education, as well as developmental sessions on cultural competence/capacity and networking.