Student Affairs

Student Affairs Awards for individual winners will be presented at the Annual Student Affairs Kick-off Celebration in September each year.  The Student Affairs Progress and Purpose Awards for Graduate Assistants, initiatives, and programs are presented at a late Spring/Summer ceremony.    

Nominations for the SA Progress and Purpose Awards will open on December 9, 2024. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 16, 2025. Carefully review the criteria, eligibility, and evaluation rubric below. Length of employment should not include time spent as a student employee or graduate assistant.  Award winners will be recognized during the Student Affairs Awards Reception on March 28, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. 

Nomination Form (opens December 9, 2024) 

Evaluation Rubric

The Big Idea Award 

The Big Idea Award recognizes an individual or team of employees who have established or revised an initiative, program or service that demonstrates innovation focused on improving the student experience.  Awardees are recognized for innovations that (1) support current issues and interests of SIUE students, (2) demonstrate the ambitious advancement of a new or revised program, service, or initiative, (3) accelerates learning in one of the four Student Affairs Learning Goals, and (4) improves the student experience by enhancing student belonging. 

Eligibility: Must have been employed in the Division of Student Affairs for a minimum of 6 months. 

Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award 

The Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award recognizes an individual who has consistently exceeded their position's responsibilities and enhanced Student Affairs' mission and goals.  Awardees are recognized for (1) embracing the mission of the Division of Student Affairs and incorporating it into their own work, (2) improving the student experience by enhancing student belonging, (3) connecting in-class and out of class-learning, and (4) indicating potential future leadership in the field of Student Affairs.  

Eligibility: A current graduate student at SIUE employed in the Division of Student Affairs for at least one semester.  Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.  Individuals are eligible to win this award one time. 

Community Engagement Award 

The Community Engagement Award recognizes an employee who demonstrates a commitment to the community through community outreach, service-learning, and public engagement.  Awardees are recognized for (1) collaborating with local organizations, (2) expanding opportunities for students through a community partnership, (3) contributing to overall learning opportunities for the SIUE community through community engagement (committee service, conference presentations, research, publication, etc.), and (4) improving the visibility of SIUE and Student Affairs locally, regionally, and/or nationally.  

Eligibility: Must have been employed in the Division of Student Affairs for a minimum of 12 months. 

Advocate for Equity and Inclusion Award 

The Advocate for Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes an employee who advances the understanding of equity and inclusion. Awardees are recognized for (1) improving the quality of services or programs by creating an atmosphere of mutual respect, (2) actively participating in efforts to address equity and inclusion issues on campus, (3) providing an opportunity for the campus community to gain a broader perspective, and (4) embodying the mission of the Division of Student Affairs.  

Eligibility: Must have been employed in the Division of Student Affairs for a minimum of 36 months. 

Friend of Student Affairs Award 

The Friend of Student Affairs Award recognizes departments, individuals, alumni, or community partnership (working outside the Division of Student Affairs) with whom staff within the Division partner or collaborate to better the student experience. Awardees are recognized for (1) providing consistent and continuous support to the division, (2) improving the quality of service provided to SIUE students by strengthening collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs, (3) advancing a cause or solving a problem to benefit students and/or the division, and (4) embodying the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. 

Eligibility:  Individual nominee must have been employed at SIUE for a minimum of 12 months.  A department or community partnership nominee must have an established partnership for a minimum of 12 months.

Front Line Service Superstar Award 

The Front Line Service Superstar Award recognizes employees who demonstrate outstanding front-facing service to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and/or guests.  Awardees are recognized for (1) consistently providing outstanding service in their day-to-day interactions with students, (2) improving the experience of students, (3) demonstrating a commitment to student success, and (4) embodying the mission of the Division of Student Affairs.

Eligibility: Must have been employed in the Division of Student Affairs for a minimum of 12 months. 

Unsung Hero Award 

The Unsung Hero award recognizes employees who contribute in transformational ways and make a positive impact on the campus community, in the lives of students, and in the Division of Student Affairs. Awardees are recognizes for (1) their behind the scenes contributions to overcoming challenges, (2) contributing to the success of students through their daily interactions, (3) a willingness to help in whatever capacity is necessary, and (4) embodying the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. 

Eligibility: Must have been employed in the Division of Student Affairs for a minimum of 12 months.  

Outstanding Newcomer Award 

The Outstanding Student Affairs Newcomer Award  is presented to a full-time staff member who (1) made a significant impact on student and/or departmental success, (2) established collaborative relationships, (3) enhanced the student experience, and (4) embodied the Division of Student Affairs mission.  

Eligibility: Full-time staff member employed in the Division of Student Affairs for 36 months or less. 

Narbeth R. Emmanuel Outstanding Service Award 

The Dr. Narbeth R. Emmanuel Outstanding Service Award recognizes an employee for outstanding service to the Division of Student Affairs. Dr. Narbeth R. Emmanuel, or “Nobby” as he is better known, brought with him unbridled enthusiasm and energy as the previous Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Prior to joining SIUE, Dr. Emmanuel served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.  A native of South Africa, he completed his baccalaureate, master of education, and a doctorate in educational administration and supervision at Bowling Green State University.  He also held faculty rank and taught at Bowling Green State University and the University of Vermont where he was the Associate Dean of Students.  

Dr. Emmanuel believed that every student comes to college with dreams and aspirations…and that we have an obligation to champion each one.  This “Students First” philosophy was adopted with pride by the Division of Student Affairs to guide decisions and create programs under his leadership. Putting “Students First” means ensuring all students have access to resources and services that support their academic and personal goals. Dr. Emmanuel worked tirelessly to educate students, parents, campus partners, and the community about what it takes to be successful at SIUE. 

This award honors individuals who consistently center the experience of students in their work.  The individual will be recognized for their special, unique, or extraordinary contributions to improving the quality of services and programs. The individual will have (1) consistently shared their knowledge and insight with others, (2) contributed to the success of students through innovation, and (3) implemented new programs, services, and/or initiatives that contribute to student success. Recipients will have (4) demonstrated collaboration with students and other campus partners to improve the student experience while embodying the Division of Student Affairs mission.  

Eligibility: Full-time staff member employed in the Division of Student Affairs for more than 36 months.

This award seeks to recognize the individual actions by Student Affairs staff that go above and beyond every day, year-round, as we promote and maintain student success. 

Eligibility: Any member of the Division of Student Affairs can nominate any full-time or part-time employee within the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) to receive our monthly Golden Paw Employee of the Month Award. Graduate Assistants and Student Employees are not eligible for this award.

Details: If the person you nominate does not win the award, their nomination will be reconsidered for up to 3 months. Individuals cannot win a Golden Paw Award more than once in an academic year. If multiple people nominate the same staff member for the same work, the person will only receive one recognition.

Timeline: Nominations are due by 11:59 pm on the last day of the month for consideration the following month.

Submit a Nomination: https://forms.office.com/r/1Yu3QWLvZg