Accolades Archive

Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht, Ed. D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

October 2023: recognized with the Pillar of the Profession Award for her outstanding work by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. The Pillar of the Profession Award honorees demonstrate distinction in the higher education field, have served in leadership roles in NASPA and be recognized by colleagues and contribute significantly to the field of higher education. This award shines a light on leaders who have created a lasting impact on their institution, leaving a legacy of extraordinary service For more on this prestigious award, visit news.fsu.edu.

Amy Haggard

Student Conduct and Community Standards

October 2023: awarded the Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics in Higher Education Fellowship - Hardee Fellows are graduate students who achieve a 3.8 overall GPA and have completed 18 credit hours at Florida State University.

Dylan Fields

Student Conduct and Community Standards

October 2023: awarded the Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics in Higher Education Fellowship - Hardee Fellows are graduate students who achieve a 3.8 overall GPA and have completed 18 credit hours at Florida State University.

Dylan is also the recipient of the NASPA Foundation Member Scholarship. The NASPA Foundation, in partnership with NASPA, is excited to offer a scholarship opportunity designed to keep NASPA members connected to the field and the Association.

Lexie McGarvey and Granvill Adkins

University Housing

October 2023: congratulations to Lexie McGarvey and Granvill Adkins for putting on a phenomenal state conference for the Florida Housing Officers (FHO) organization in October. In their roles as the State of Florida Representative/President (Lexie) and State Treasurer (Granvill), Lexie and Granvill hosted 100 attendees for a 3-day conference in Orlando!

Taylor George and Rachel Blakesley

University Housing

October 2023: presented an interactive session on supervision for all of the participants at this year's Florida Housing Officers (FHO) Conference. Many props to Taylor for presenting at her first state conference!

Rachel Blakesley and Karlin Chung

University Housing

October 2023: at the Florida Housing Officers (FHO) Conference, doctoral candidate Rachel Blakesley and Higher Ed master's student Karlin Chung won "Best of Florida" for their program, "From Great Resignation to Great Reimagination: Addressing the Pro Staff Recruitment & Retention Needs in Housing."
Winning "Best of Florida" means the presentation will also have a highlighted presentation spot in the upcoming regional conference, Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO).

Christy Mantzanas

Career Center

October 2023: served as an expert panelist on IT recruiting trends at the TalTech Alliance Annual Conference where technology employers, workforce partners, and students convened.

Ben Wicker

University Housing

October 2023: served on the Faculty for STARS College, a three-day virtual institute hosted by the Association of College and Housing Officers - International. The institute's aim is to provide undergraduate students from across the world the opportunity to learn more about what a career in University Housing and Residence Life entails. Institute participants attend a variety of informational sessions presented by the STARS College faculty, pair the students with a faculty member, and establish a mentoring relationship as the participants explore the various facets of housing and graduate school and career options. Ben presented sessions on "Contextualizing Higher Education & Housing" and "Identity & Leadership Development".

Rana Sedeeq

The Career Center

September 2023: presented International Students' Resilience in U.S. Higher Education Institutions during the Florida Counseling Association (FCA) Annual Conference September 28 - 30. Rana also received the CEHHS Research Showcase Award for her presentation at this conference.

Alice Maxwell, Alycia Malicz, Jaden Austin and Emma Massaglia

DSA Office of Marketing and Communications

September 2023: presented "Hello FSU!: An Integrated Marketing Communications Student Success Campaign" for the College News Association of the Carolinas. This presentation showcased how the FSU Division of Student Affairs and university departments are collaborating to enhance the undergraduate student experience.

Jeff Bates

Student Conduct and Community Standards

September 2023: was selected as one of the six individuals across the country to serve as a faculty member for the Student Conduct 101 program offered through the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). Along with a co-faculty member, Jeff Bates will lead a module focused on the effective use and development of multiple pathways for resolving matters within student conduct processes. More information about the SC 101 module here.

Shelley Ducatt, Ph.D.

Department of Student Support and Transitions

August 2023: contributed to the book "Engaging Families in Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Best Practices" edited by Christine Self, Elizabeth Massengale, Amy Murphy.

Tracey Dowling, Ed.D.

Career Center

August 2023: is serving as the Vice President for Professional Development for the Cooperative Education & Internship Association Academy. In this role, Dowling helped pilot taking the academy for new professionals on the road to Massachusetts as well as served as faculty for the academy.

Sabrina Quiroga and Jacob Stamm

Career Center

July 2023: led a roundtable discussion on "Social Identity and Career Decision-Making Through the Lens of CIP Theory" at the National Career Development (NCDA) Global Conference in Chicago, IL.

James Sampson, Ph.D. and Janet Lenz, Ph.D.

Career Center

July 2023: presented "Strategies for Effective Implementation of Career Interventions" at the National Career Development (NCDA) Global Conference in Chicago, IL.

John Scanlon and Tristen Hyatt, Ph.D.

Career Center

July 2023: led a roundtable discussion on "Career Counselors Role with Veterans' Career Transitions: Thank You for Your Service! What's Next?" at the National Career Development (NCDA) Global Conference in Chicago, IL.

Qualandria Brookens and Kelechi Nnaji

Career Center

July 2023: led a roundtable discussion on "Emerging Adults' Perceived Quality of Social Media Based Career Information/Career Intentions" at the National Career Development (NCDA) Global Conference in Chicago, IL.

Erin Bennett, Casey Dozier, Ph.D. and Danny Chiarodit

Career Center

July 2023: presented "Hiring, Training, and Managing a Graduate Student Staffed Career Advisor Team" at the National Career Development (NCDA) Global Conference in Chicago, IL.

Ben Wicker

University Housing

July 2023: Completed the Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace Certificate through the USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education. This module sets the context for the course and introduces the business case for addressing mental health and wellness in the workplace. This course is available for free through USF CTPE, but is also available for credentialing. Ben HIGHLY recommends this course for all supervisors and managers!

Deanna C. Hughes

University Housing

NASPA WISA (Womxn in Student Affairs) Phenomenal Friday honoree
Deanna's nominator, Krystal Allen, says "Deanna is working on her doctorate and is doing research on the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx Women Senior Housing Officers at 4-year public research one and research two colleges and universities in the southeastern region of the United States. Deanna is also a part of the ACUHO-I's Womxn in Housing Network and is just so phenomenal! She is and will continue to be a force in the profession! She is all-star and I admire her so much!"

Asia Henry

Career Center

Selected for the Student of the Year Award by the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers. This award recognizes outstanding experiential education students who demonstrate excellence in their on-campus employment.

Shannon D. Staten, Ph.D.

University Housing

Received the James C. Grimm Leadership and Service Award, a major award from the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I). The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to ACUHO-I and the campus housing profession.

Shannon Staten

University Housing

June 2023: presented multiple sessions at Campus Home LIVE! (formerly known as ACUHO-I) in Portland, OR. Shannon presented as part of a preconference panel on “Business Skills for Success in Housing & Residence Life”, was part of a roundtable panel discussion titled “The impact of State Legislation on Housing & Residence Life”, led a speed mentoring session called “20 New connections in less than an hour: Speed-mentoring for mid managers”, and presented an educational session called “Planting the Seeds of Mentorship: Growing professionals in housing & residence life”.

Ben Wicker

University Housing

June 2023: presented at Campus Home LIVE! (formerly known as ACUHO-I) an educational session called “Managing Up Utilizing Personality Types" for the Association of College & University Housing Officers - International in Portland, OR.

Deanna C. Hughes

University Housing

June 2023: co-presented at Campus Home LIVE! (formerly known as ACUHO-I) a session for aspiring and current Women in Mid-level management and the Supervisors and colleagues who support them. The session was titled: "Big Wheels Keep on Turning: How Women Mid-Level Managers Find Support and Build Resiliency".

Cameron Hatcher

Career Center

June 2023: presented "Transitions as a Professional: Accepting and Embracing New Roles" at the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Sarasota, FL.

Jamie Butler

Career Center

June 2023: facilitated a roundtable session on "Retaining Internal Talent: Strategies for Recruiting Student Workers into the Next Generation of Career Services" at the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Sarasota, FL.

Abbey Hale, M.S.

Career Center

June 2023: presented "The 3-Legged Stool Approach: Developing and Utilizing Relationships to Elevate Your Events" at the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Sarasota, FL.

Anissa Ford and Christy Mantzanas

Career Center

June 2023: presented "Dress for Success While Being Your Authentic Self" at the National Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.

Leslie Mille

Career Center

June 2023: facilitated a roundtable session on “Taking Your Clothing Closet to the Next Level!” at the Florida Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Sarasota, FL.

Leslie Mille

Career Center

June 2023: presented “Career Services Staff: Where did you come from, where did you go?” at the National Association of Colleges & Employers Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

June 2023: Dr. Brittany Devies was a featured speaker at the annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Florida-West Seminar (HOBY) at Eckerd College.

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

June 2023: presented "The Space for Leadership Education in Institutional Priorities: Analyzing Institutional Mission Statements" at the 2023 NASPA Region III Summer Symposium.

Amy Hecht, Ed.D, Angela Chong, J.D. , Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

June 2023: presented their research titled "168 Hours: Time Management of Women in Senior Student Affairs Roles" at the 2023 NASPA Region III Summer Symposium.

Zduy Chu, Ed.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

June 2023: wrote an article featured in NASPA's digital magazine Leadership Exchange titled “Building The Student Affairs Network”.

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

June 2023: Dr. Brittany Devies co-authored an article, titled "Troubling LID: Exploring the Utility, Limitations, and Possibilities of the Leadership Identity Development (LID) Model" in the most recent issue of New Directions for Student Leadership.

Brandon Bowden, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs

June 2023: selected to participate in Leadership Florida’s Education Class 8.

Christy Mantzanas

Career Center

June 2023: Awarded a competitive $2000 Professional Development Scholarship from the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers.

Cheyenne Belanger

Department of Student Support and Transitions

May 2023: winner of the Growth Category in the FSU College of Social Work Color the College Art Competition for her painting “Fairytale Wonderland”.

Tracey Dowling, Ed.D.

Career Center

May 2023: The Society for Experiential Education (SEE) has selected Tracey Dowling as recipient of the 2023 SEE Dissertation of the Year Award for her dissertation "Facilitating Student Engagement in Experiential Learning: An Implementation Evaluation of a Centralized, Interdisciplinary Program".

This implementation study reviewed Experience Recognition Program (ERP) components in regards to criteria for effective high-impact practice implementation as well as industry principles for supervising students engaged in experiential learning activities and career readiness education to offer insight into programs successes and suggested areas of improvement.

Cynthia Green

Center for Global Engagement

May 2023: Cynthia Green, Director of the Center for Global Engagement, has won the 2023 International Education Award for Leadership and Collaboration from NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Green has spent her career working tirelessly to promote the benefits of international education at FSU and abroad. She has initiated university-wide efforts to internationalize the campus and to create a globally rich learning environment where all students can increase their global awareness and interact with people from around the world. Learn more about Green’s prestigious award and the impact of her work.

Brittany Mueller

Campus Recreation

May 2023: represented on the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) website as a Rising Star in the field. Read the full article.

Terri Brown

Title IX

May 2023: received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Heroes in Public Safety at a recent banquet at Tallahassee Community College. Since starting her career as a patrol officer with the FSU Police Department in 1991, Terri has served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief and retired as Chief and then returning to FSU to work in the Title IX Office.

Madison Drummond

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

May 2023: received the William Leftwich Award for Outstanding New Professional from NASPA Region III.

Zduy Chu, Ed.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

May 2023: received the NUFP Champion Award from NASPA Region III. The NUFP Champion Award is presented to an individual or institution that has made a significant contribution to the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program, and has served as a champion for students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised populations, by hosting programs, providing professional development opportunities, and/or supporting other activities that advance campus, regional, or national NUFP initiatives.

Amy Hecht, Ed.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

May 2023: received the John Jones Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer from NASPA Region III. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.

Brandon Bowden, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

May 2023: received the AVP/Senior Level Student Affairs Professional Award from NASPA Region III. The award honors individuals who have a record of innovative programming that has had an impact on the home campus environment in more than one functional area of student affairs.

Rachel Blakesley

University Housing

May 2023: Rachel Blakesley's article, "The Last of Us: Saving Middle Managers from a Mass Exodus" was published in the Spring 2023 edition of The Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) Report.

Mandy Shields

University Housing

Won the Florida State University Jeffrey A. Gabor Superior Accomplishment Award.

"Mandy Shields exemplifies the essence of excellence and student-centered service.
As the Associate Director for University Housing’s HOME team, Mandy oversees occupancy management, student recruitment, and marketing for the department. In this role, she continuously works with many campus partners to consider and meet the residential needs that will help our students be successful. This year, Mandy collaborated with campus partners to provide safe living environments for students who identify as homeless and do not have the resources to pay for housing. She led the efforts to create an application and assignment process sensitive of students who identify as LGBTQ+, and worked with CARE to establish the first-gen living learning community.
Beyond her regular duties in University Housing, Mandy agreed to serve as the Interim director of Residential Student Experience. In this role, she led the team to continue providing a quality living environment for students in the halls, helped them continue their strategic initiatives, and served as the chair of the selection committee for the new director. She served with the senior leadership team in Housing providing assistance to students and families in crisis, responding to requests from families and the campus environment as needed. With her leadership, the department continues excellent support for students and student leaders who lived on campus.
Beyond the housing department work, Mandy served on several staff selection committees for campus partners, and began building educational resources and support for students who choose to live off campus. Mandy makes a difference for our program and for the division."

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Awarded the FSU Fraternity and Sorority Life Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member of the Year Award.

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Awarded the NASPA Student Leadership Programs and Knowledge Community, Outstanding Emerging Professional Award at the 2023 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference.

Jabreon Jackson

The Center for Leadership and Social Change

Presented “Toxic Resiliency: The Weaponization of Resilience Against Black Women” at the 2023 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference.

Brittany Devies, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Presented "The Space for Leadership Education in Institutional Priorities: Analyzing Institutional Mission Statements" at the 2023 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference

DeOnte Brown, Ph.D.

Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement

Presented “Just Another Day: Reflections, Perspectives, and Experiences from Black/Brown Deans in the field” at the 2023 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference.

Zduy Chu, Ed.D

Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs

Was named board chair for the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP).

Shannon D. Staten, Ph.D.

University Housing

Served as a faculty member for the Global Housing Training Institute held in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to mentoring a cohort of participants, she presented two program sessions for the Institute: "Human Resources: Workforce Excellence" and "Managing Operations".

Zabe Thompson, MPH, CHES

University Health Services, Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness

Presented "LGBTQ+ Sex Ed 101 – Increasing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Programming & Clinics", "Queer Sex Ed 201: Beyond the Basics (Programming & Clinical)" and co-presented with Jacob Cryderman "Alcohol and Other Drugs Bingo: Gamifying Health Education" at the Southern College Health Association Conference in Greenville, NC.

Jennifer Russell, DNP, APRN-BC; Latricia Simmons, BSN; Mari Kay Avant

University Health Services

Presented "Meet Students Where They Are with Mobile Flu Clinics" at the Southern College Health Association Conference in Greenville, NC.

Hannah Stone, B.S.

University Health Services

Presented "Where are we going and how will we get there? A strategic planning journey in one college health center" at the Southern College Health Association Conference in Greenville, NC.

Mari Kay Avant

University Health Services

Presented in partnership with University of Central Florida "Marketing Essentials: Simplifying the Complex Campus Communications Environment" at the Southern College Health Association Conference in Greenville, NC.

Ben Wicker

University Housing

Presented two peer-selected sessions at the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers Annual Conference in Richmond, VA. Wicker facilitated a men’s networking roundtable discussion, and presented “Managing Up Using Personality Types”.

Sarah Butler

University Housing

Was elected to serve as the Director of Communications for the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers. Sarah also presented "Effectively Adapting in a World of Change" at the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers Annual Conference.

Kari Scott DiDonato and Lynn Grasso

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation, along with the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness (CHAW), Seminole Dining, and Counseling & Psychological Services, were highlighted in Campus Rec Magazine in an article featuring Stress Busters Day, which focuses on collaborative events that enhance student mental health programming.

Ben Wicker

University Housing

Was elected as the President-Elect for the Southeast Association of Housing Officers and will serve a three-year cycle as President-Elect, President, and Past President.

Alice Maxwell, Alycia Malicz and Emma Massaglia

Division of Student Affairs Marketing and Communications Office

Selected to present "A Welcomed Approach to a Collaborative Marketing Campaign: Hello FSU!" at the CASE District III Annual Conference in Atlanta.

Dylan Fields

Student Conduct and Community Standards

Represented Florida State University as a Graduate Intern for the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV) 2023 Central Conference.

Brittany Mueller

Campus Recreation

Served as the Assistant Director for the Unified Tournament for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation.

Makenna Campbell-Hutts

Student Conduct and Community Standards

Awarded the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Foundation Access Scholarship.

Lucy Rodriguez

Student Affairs Panama City Campus

Graduated with honors, Master of Science in Corporate & Public Communication from FSU Panama City

Brittany Devies

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Was inducted to the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ Future Leaders Society.

Kelly Clark, M.A. and M.B.A.

University Housing

Presented at the Florida Housing Officers State Conference and won "Best of Florida" for her program: "I got skills, they're multiplying: How to create a competency-based employment model for student staff". Kelly will represent FSU and the state of Florida with the presentation at the regional Southeastern Association of Housing Officers Conference in February. This is the third time in the past four years Kelly has won this award.

Shelley Ducatt, Ph.D.

Department of Student Support and Transitions

Elected as the President of the National Association of ADA Coordinators. This association brings together professionals, providing a forum for the most up-to-date information on ADA issues, strategies and solutions, and enforcement.

Joi N. Phillips, Ph.D.

Center for Leadership & Social Change

Selected to the American Council on Education’s Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program. As part of the strategy to increase the number and diversity of women serving in executive-level positions at institutions and on governing boards, the American Council on Education designed this program to support and advance women through their careers in higher education.

Anissa Ford

Career Center

December 2022: Received the New Professional Award at the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers Conference. This award recognizes “future leaders” within the association who have demonstrated significant contributions to the career services and/or recruitment profession

LaToya Stackhouse, Ed.D.

FSU Panama City Campus Student Affairs

Was accepted to Ujima Institute, NASPA's leadership institute designed by and for African American and Black student affairs professionals who aspire to senior student affairs leadership.

Lacey Moret

Center for Global Engagement

Was selected to participate in the Guest Coach Program by FSU Athletics for November for her role in supporting international student athletes. She attended a session with Student Athlete Academic Services Staff and also was recognized on the court, along with several other FSU advisors, during the FSU Women’s Basketball game on November 16 as one of the “Heroes of the Game.”

Casey Dozier, Ph.D.

Career Center, Career Advising, Counseling and Instruction

Co-wrote "Standardized career course curriculum: Effects on negative career thoughts" for The Career Development Quarterly.

Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D.

Office of Accessibility Services

Presented “Navigating Higher Education as Black Woman with ADHD” at The Black Women ADHD Summit. This workshop offered insight into strategies to help turn ADHD into a superpower by increasing awareness of differences, leaning into connections with others with similar experiences, and encouraging self-acceptance in Black women with ADHD, diagnosed or not.

Brittany Mueller

Campus Recreation

Presented “An Introduction to Unified Sports” at a National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association Conference. In this presentation, Mueller shared her knowledge on bringing Special Olympics/Unified Sports to campus intramural sports programs.

Annette Peters, Ph.D.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Co-presented “Exploring Students' Experience with Telemental Health at Counseling and Psychological Services” at the American Psychological Association Conference. Research findings presented showed that the majority of participants indicated finding that telemental health helped them address their concerns and reduce their symptoms. They also found many benefits, such as continuing to have access to services during a pandemic, convenience, and flexibility of scheduling.

Amy Magnuson, Ph.D.

University Health Services

Is serving as the President of the Southern College Health Association (SCHA) until March 2023. SCHA is a regional affiliate of the American College Health Association.