Division of Student Affairs Awards 2022
Congratulations to members of the Division of Student Affairs and Texas A&M University staff who received awards at the 2022 DSA Awards Ceremony for their outstanding contributions to our students and programs!
RANDY MATSON ’67 ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS AWARD
Melissa Lucas
University Center & Special Events
Dr. Denise Crisafi
Student Life
Debbie Almand
Becky Gates Children’s Center
JOHN J. KOLDUS III FACULTY AND STAFF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Karen Cornell
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences – Texas A&M University
Chris Diem
College of Medicine, Student Affairs – Texas A&M University
J. MALON SOUTHERLAND ’65 AWARD
Ashley Drake
Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Rocky Peyton
University Center & Special Events
Nick Heiar
Recreational Sports
Dylan Murray
Student Activities
Amanda Donofrio
Residence Life
Anna Taggart-Minahan
Recreational Sports
Jordan Howell
Graduate Assistant – Residence Life
AWARD OF DISTINCTION – TEAM
In Person New Student Conferences Implementation Team
Libby Daggers, Alex Hersperger, Spikey Howard, Mariah Patrick, Kayley Safley, Lauren Dorsett, Dr. Denise Crisafi, Suzanne Swierc, Jon Hill, Megan Buck, Angela Guerra, Lindsey Norman, David Swanson, Donald St. Martin, Devang Mehta, Mark Matusek, Jason Stephens
Offices of the Dean of Student Life & Department of Information Technology
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING AWARD
Melany Pearl
Memorial Student Center
YEARS OF SERVICE
Yunling Chang, Counseling & Psychological Services
Ciara Garcia, Counseling & Psychological Services
Ambika Kasbekar, Counseling & Psychological Services
Luis Ponte Rodriguez, Counseling & Psychological Services
Michelle Hannett, Disability Resources
Courtnie Ridgway, Department of Information Technology
Jill Stickler, Department of Information Technology
Russell Tipton, Music Activities
Sheryl Ballard, Office of the Commandant
Steven Cheatham, Office of the Commandant
John Fleming, Office of the Commandant
Desiree Ornelaz, Office of the Commandant
Janelle Seibert, Office of the Commandant
Megan Buck, Offices of the Dean of Student Life
Kalyn Cavazos, Offices of the Dean of Student Life
Nick Heiar, Recreational Sports
CJ Stancheski, Recreational Sports
Anna Taggart-Minahan, Recreational Sports
Katie Campbell, Residence Life
Brianna Dobson, Residence Life
Miriam Lee, Residence Life
Jen Sommers, Residence Life
Gabrielle Tharp, Residence Life
Mike Anthony, Student Health Services
Austin Hoggard, Student Health Services
Tally J. Priesmeyer, Student Health Services
Tiffany A. Skaggs, Student Health Services
Navor Surovik Casares III, Student Health Services
Robert Tirso, Student Life Studies
Iris Y. Carrillo, Counseling & Psychological Services
Hannah Kovar, Counseling & Psychological Services
Callan Christensen, Department of Information Technology
Devang Mehta, Department of Information Technology
Jamie Arrexi, Memorial Student Center
Joshua Keil, Memorial Student Center
Mark Dawson, Multicultural Services
Amy Thompson, Office of the Commandant
Jerry Smith, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Sachi Carr Chargualaf, Recreational Sports
Angela Cates, Recreational Sports
Brandon Carlson, Residence Life
Kelley Hartnett, Residence Life
Chase Hughes, Student Health Services
Eric Leland, Student Health Services
Brittany Pekar, Student Health Services
Meghan Windham, Student Health Services
Jesslyn Myers, Becky Gates Children’s Center
Bethany Smith, Counseling & Psychological Services
Ariane Ray, Department of Information Technology
Nancy Bazy, Office of the Commandant
Cristina Vela, Office of the Commandant
Martha C. Dannenbaum, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Loretta Foster, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Kristen Harrell, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Cindy Smith, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Shannon Wiley, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Charlotte Benson, Residence Life
Paul Obiazi, Residence Life
Michael Middleton, Student Health Services
Chuck Klafka, University Center & Special Events
Cory Arcak, Memorial Student Center
Katy King, Memorial Student Center
Jerod Wilson, Recreational Sports
Eralia Moreno, Residence Life
Kyle Greeley, Student Health Services
Denise Kuciemba, Student Health Services
Barbara Schumacher, Student Life Studies
Jerry Drake, University Center & Special Events
Jarrett Hervey, University Center & Special Events
Judy Marrs, University Center & Special Events
Carrie Berry, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
Susan M. Vavra, Counseling & Psychological Services
Heidi O’Neal, Residence Life
Jennifer Johnson-Smith, Residence Life
Jana Corley, University Center & Special Events
Shelley Wedemeier, Office of the Commandant
Drew McMillen, Recreational Sports
Donnie Bazy, University Center & Special Events
Paula Opal, Recreational Sports
FISH CAMP NAMESAKES
Lauren Dorsett, Offices of the Dean of Student Life
Kenneth Johnson, Student Activities
Santana Simple, Counseling & Psychological Services
Suzanne Swierc, Offices of the Dean of Student Life
James Welford, Recreational Sports
Sondra White, Office of the Vice President
ADVISORS OF THE YEAR
Affiliated Category: Kristianna Bowles, Aggie Eco – Representatives, Residence Life
Sponsored Category: Tyler Sellers, Aggie Recruitment Committee, Student Activities
PRESIDENT’S MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
Jamie Arrexi, Memorial Student Center
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Erica Ritter
- Board Member & Annual Conference Committee, Brazos Valley Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children
Maame Esi Coleman
- Ph.D in Counseling Psychology, Southern Illinois University, 2021.
Megan Culpepper
- LPC-S license, State of Texas, 2022
Sidai Dong
- Elliott, T. R., Wade, L. B., Dong, S., & Budge, K. (2021). Personality and disability. In M. L. Wehmeyer & D.S. Dunn (Eds.), The Positive Psychology of Personal Factors: Implications for Understanding Disability. Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.
- Dong, Sidai. (2021). Alpha and Beta Factors of Resilience and the Mediating Effects of Coping and Problem-solving on Family Caregiver Adjustment. Texas A&M University Dissertation Defense.
Jasmine Hussain
- National Certified Counselor (NCC), 2022.
Carmen Mota
- Mota, Carmen (2021). “Recognizing students’ experiences of imposter phenomenon in higher education STEM programs, planning and committing to change as educators.” Presented at the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Conference, Virtual Presentation.
Milan Savoury
- Savoury, M.C, Mahar, E.A., & Mintz, L.B.(2021). Feelings of Masculinity and Accomplishment in Response to Penetrative Versus Non-Penetrative Orgasms. Archives of Sexual Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02070-0
- Feelings of Masculinity in Response to Female Self-Administered Orgasms during Intercourse: Dissertation Defended successfully December 13th, 2021
Santana Simple
- Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant awarded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), $102,000
Maegan Sosebee
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sam Houston State University, 2021.
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A), Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, 2021.
Erica McGeisey-Welch
- License Professional Counselor Associate, 2021.
- National Certified Counselor, 2021.
Austin Wilcox
- Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, 2021.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, 2021.
Swarup Das
- M.A. Political Science, Texas A&M University, 2021.
- BRMP Certification, BRM Institute, 2021
- ITIL- 4 Foundation Certification, Axelos, 2021
Carmen Fraticelli
- ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, 2021
Darvis Griffin
- MBA, Western Governors University Texas, 2021
- ITIL 4 Strategic Leader: Digital and IT Strategy, PeopleCert, 2021
- Certified Change Practitioner, Prosci, 2021
Carl Ivey
- Fish Camp Namesake, Texas A&M University, 2022
- PROSCI Organizational Change Management Professional (CCMP), 2022
- ITIL 4 Strategic Leader: Direct, Plan, Improve, 2022
Mark Lacy
- ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, June 2021
Ariane Ray
- ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support Certificate from Axelos, 2022
Donald St. Martin
- Annual Conference Content Committee, Texas A&M System Technology Conference, 2022
- Certified Agile Leadership Essentials, Scrum Alliance, 2021
- Certified Agile Leadership for Teams, Scrum Alliance, 2021
Omar Valenzuela
- ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, Axelos, 2022
Tracey Forman
- Forman, T., Diekow, L. (2021) Collaborating with Health Science Programs to Facilitate Equity and Access for Students with Disabilities. Association on Higher Education and Disability Annual Conference: Austin, TX.
Jessica Harp
- President-Elect, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf, 2021-2023
Kristie Orr
- Axelrod, J., Meyer, A., Alexander, J., Hall, E., & Orr, K. (2021) Non-Burdensome Process: An Argument in Support of Reframing What Constitutes Necessary Disability Documentation. Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 26(2), https://doi.org/10.18666/LDMJ-2021-V26-I2-11112.
- Orr, K., Ortega, M., Wise, E., & Perez-Figueroa, M. (2021) Exploring our Diversity: A Conversation about Racial Identity and Disability Resources Work. Association on Higher Education and Disability Annual Conference: Austin, TX.
Cory Arcak
- Steering Committee, UNT PRIMR Disaster Conference, 2021-2022.
- Secretary/Treasurer, TAMU Chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, 2021-2022
- Dent, E. & Arcak, C. (2022). Engaging College Students in Disaster Management. Presented at the UNT PRIMR Disaster Conference, Denton, TX.
Jamie Arrexi
- Fish Camp Name Sake, Texas A&M University, 2022.
- President’s Meritorious Service Award, Texas A&M University, 2022.
Sueli Rocha-Rojas
- Ph.D in Hispanic Studies
Valerie Wilson
- Wilson, V. (2022). A History of Standardized Tests for College Admissions. TEXAAN Journal, 1(1), 6–16. https://doi.org/https://issuu.com/texaanjournal/docs/texaan_journal_spring_2022_f0092ec595b721
Mark Dawson
- Co-chair Multiracial Network, ACPA, 2022-2023
- Dawson, Mark & Aunatitrakul, Dear (2021, June) Confronting Anti-Blackness in Non-Black Communities of Color. Pre-conference institute presented at the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE).
Ariana Vargas
- Vargas, A. & Dunbar, J. (2022, March). Healing through connection: Utilizing culturally-based peer mentoring initiatives to restore community. Presented at the NASPA Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Huanshu Yuan
- Manuscript Reviewer, The Teacher Educator
- Manuscript Reviewer, Teaching and Teacher Education
- Manuscript Reviewer, Asia Pacific Journal of Education
- Conference Proposal Reviewer, American Educational Research Association
- Conference Proposal Reviewer, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- Yuan, H. (2022, April). Educating culturally responsive Han teachers: Case study of a teacher education program in China. Poster has been accepted for the 2022 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA.
- Yuan, H. (2022, March). Demystifying the Model Minority Myth: Reflections and Implications for APIDA Students Experience and Success in Higher Education. Enhancing Diversity Seminars, Office for Diversity, Texas A&M University. College Station, TX.
- Yuan, H. (2021, June). Demystifying the Model Minority Myth: Critical Reflections and Implications for APIDA Student Experience and Success in Higher Education. Paper presented at the Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE 2021). Virtual conference.
- Yuan, H. (2021, June). Empowering Diversity and Inclusion: A Multicultural Approach to Improve Teaching Practice for Historically Marginalized Students in Higher Education. Paper presented at the Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE 2021). Virtual conference.
- Yuan, H. (2021, June). Achieving Equity and Social Justice in Higher Education: Developing Culturally Responsive Teachers for Minority Students. Paper presented at the Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE 2021). Virtual conference.
Timothy Rhea
- Rhea, Timothy (December 2021). Cover Down! A History of Texas Military Marching Band Style. In Bandmasters Review (17-18). San Antonio: Texas Bandmasters Association.
- Vice President/Secretary, The John Philip Sousa Foundation, 2020 – current.
- Rhea, Timothy (2021, July). Preparing Your Band for Success — Utilizing Consultants, Mentors and Clinicians. Presented at the Texas Bandmasters Association Clinic, San Antonio.
- Guest Conductor, The Indiana All-State Honor Band & The Texas Music Educators Association Region 17 Wind Ensemble.
- Adjudicator, The National Mark of Excellence sponsored by The Foundation for Music Education.
Kristen Harrell
- Foundations Faculty for the Gehring Academy through the Association for Student Conduct Administration, Summer 2021. Chair Person for the Gehring Academy through the Association for Student Conduct Administration, 2021 – 2023.
Justin Jeffery
- Jeffery, J. & Poole, L. (2021 – accepted chapter/in-press). Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategies for
International Student Support in a Post-Pandemic World. Emerging International Issues in Student Affairs Research and Practice. - Poole, L. & Jeffery, J. (2021 – accepted chapter/in-press). Implications of a Global Pandemic on International Student
Affairs. Emerging International Issues in Student Affairs Research and Practice.
- NASPA Region III Executive Board – Communications Chair / IT Coordinator (2020-2022)
- NASPA Region III Advisory Board – Foundation Ambassador (2022-2024)
- GAISA Board of Directors (2020 – present)
- Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2021
Sondra White
- Fish Camp Namesake, Texas A&M University, 2021
Kalyn Cavazos
- Ph.D., Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, 2021.
Megan Higginbotham
- Director of Communications and Marketing, Higher Education Case Management Association, 2020-2022
- Higginbotham, M. & McKoin Owens, M. (2021, June). Higher education case management nomenclature: Why consistency matters. Presented at the HECMA National Conference, virtual.
Melanie McKoin Owens
- Vice President, Conference and Special Events – Higher Education Case Managers Association
- Higginbotham, M. & McKoin Owens, M. (2021, June). Higher education case management nomenclature: Why consistency matters. Presented at the HECMA National Conference, virtual.
- McKoin Owens, M. & Talbird, A. (2021, June). Nonclinical and clinical case management: A collaborative practice. Presented at the HECMA National Conference, virtual.
Suzanne Swierc
- Fish Camp Namesake, Texas A&M University, 2021
Tawyna Moehlman
- American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Bryan/College Station Charter Chapter – Woman of the Year
- American Business Women’s Association Membership officer
- OAP Career College Event Planner Certificate
Anna Taggart
- Fish Camp Namesake, Texas A&M University, 2022
- “EmPOWER Hour”, National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Conference, March 2022
Kristianna Bowles
- Recycling Bins for Residence Halls, Aggie Green Fund, Texas A&M University, $23,363.00
- Grocery Give & Grab Expansion, Aggie Green Fund, Texas A&M University, $1,050.00
- Bowles, K.M. (2021). Being Sustainable, One Shoe at a Time. Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Sustainability Scene Newsletter, Issue 9.
- Outstanding Sustainability Office, Sustainability Knowledge Community (SKC) of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), 2022
- Top Program Award, Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers (SWACUHO), 2022
- STARS Top Performer Award, Office of Sustainability, Texas A&M University, 2022
- Adair Advisor of the Year Award, Department of Student Activities, Texas A&M University, 2022
- College Teaching Certificate, Texas A&M University, 2022
- Bowles, K.M. (2022, February) Understanding the Importance of Sustainability in Residence Life. Presented at the Southwest Association for College & University Housing Officers (SWACUHO) Conference, Fort Smith, AR.
Tiona Broussard
- Placement Committee Co-Chair, SWACUHO, 2022-2023
- Broussard, T., Glasgow, L., & Neely, N. (2022, February). Expect the Unexpected: A Guide to a New Professionals First Year on the Job. Presented at SWACUHO Annual Conference, Fort Smith, AR.
Katie Campbell
- Award of Distinction-Team Award, Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University, May 2021
- Texas State Director, SWACUHO, Feb 2022 – Feb 2024
- Curiel, A. & Campbell, K.F. (2022, February). Spread Your Wings and Connect!. Presented at Southwest Association of College and University Housing Professionals, Ft. Smith, AR.
- Harris, R. & Campbell, K.F. (2022, February). The NHTI Experience. Presented at Southwest Association of College and University Housing Professionals, Ft. Smith, AR.
Shelby Hearn
- Director of Marketing for TACUSPA: Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators January 2022-Present
- Nominated and running in the TACUSPA Board election for: Vice President of Membership and Marketing, April 2022
- TACUSPA Research Committee Roles: Co-Chair of Future Partnerships, Co-Chair of Published Membership, Chair of TACUSPA Research Webpage, and Co-Chair Assessing “The State of Student Affairs in Texas”, January 2021-January 2022
- Master of Science in Educational Administration-Emphasis in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE), Texas A&M University, May 2021
Sara McCoy
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate; University of South Florida – Muma College of Business; May 2021
Kyle McCracken
- Treasurer, Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (SWACUHO), 2020-2022.
- Guzman, M., McCracken, K.R. (2022, February). Things Your Boss Wants You to Know. Presented at SWACUHO, Ft. Smith, AR.
- McCracken, K.R., Guzman, M., Tharp, G. (2022, February). Odd Jobs: Embracing Specialties and Weird Roles in Res Life. Presented at SWACUHO, Ft. Smith, AR.
Jen Sommers
- The Award of Distinction – Team, Division of Student Affairs, Texas A&M University, 2021
- ACE Award – DMS Collaborator, Texas A&M University, 2021
- NewsComm Committee Co-Chair, SWACUHO, 2022-2024
- RA Conference Co-Chair, SWACUHO, 2021-2022
- Sommers, J. (2022, February). Creating an effective training in an ever changing environment. Presented at SWACUHO Annual Conference, Fort Smith, AR.
Dr. Tia Crawford
- Kansas Leadership Center, Leadership Coach Certification, 2022
Shante Hearst
- Hearst, S. C. and Bazner, K. J. (2022). Book Review: Pietro A. Sasso, J. Patrick Biddix, & Mónica Lee Miranda. (2020). Supporting Fraternities and Sororities in the Contemporary Era: Advancements in Practice. Myers Education Press., Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors: 16(2).
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/oracle/vol16/iss02/1
Kenneth Johnson
- Fish Camp Namesake, Texas A&M University, 2021
- 2021 Strategic Planning Chair, Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), 2yrs
Lauren Meyer
- French, P., Golemo, N., Meyer, L., Pugliese, E. (2021). “Ok, I know better. How do I do better?”: Applying critical consciousness in higher education while simultaneously holding the roles of student and employee. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity (NCORE).
Dylan Murray
- Logistics Committee Member, Texas Conference on Student Success, 2021-2022.
- Murray, D.C. & Burroughs, B.R. (2022, March). Appreciate so you can celebrate: the importance of engagement. Presented at ACPA Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.
Melissa Shehane
- Kansas Leadership Center, Leadership Coach Certification, 2022.
Martha Dannenbaum
- Susan Caleb, Danielle Thompson, Rachel Haimowitz, Carlo Ciotoli, Martha Dannenbaum & Linda Y. Fu (2022) How colleges intervene to increase student body vaccination coverage, Journal of American College Health, 70:2, 428-435, DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1752698
- Linda Fu, Allison Smith, Carlo Ciotoli, Martha Dannenbaum & Marni Jacobs (2021) An immunization quality improvement learning collaborative in the college health setting, Journal of American College Health, DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1979560
Tiffany Skaggs, M.D.
- Case Report: Paucisymptomatic College-Age Population as a Reservoir for Potentially Neutralization-Resistant Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants. (2021, November). American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 1227–1229. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-0542
- President’s Meritorious Service Award May 2021
Courtney Waggoner
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) from TAMU Commerce
Darby Roberts
- Co-chair, NASPA Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Knowledge Community, 2021-2023
- Roberts, D. M., Boren, S., Dixon, K. M., & Brown, M. A. (2022, February). Strategies for implementing a program review. ACPA Commission for Assessment and Evaluation webinar.
- Roberts, D. M., Bureau, D., & Biddix, J. P. (2022, March). Applying frameworks for assessing learning and development outcomes. NASPA, Baltimore, MD.
- Roberts, D. M., Bureau, D., Biddix, J. P. (2022). Using CAS FALDOs to assess student learning in the co-curricular. NASPA Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Knowledge Community webinar.
- Roberts, D. M., Boren, S., & Grant, K. T. (2022, March). How to review your institution’s program to maximize opportunities and results. Presented at NASPA National Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Monteigne Long
- Long, M.S. (2021). Review of the book Leaps of faith: Stories from working-class scholars, by Anne C. Benoit, Joann S. Olson, and Carrie Johnson (Eds.). New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 33(4), 73-75. https://doi.org/10.1002/nha3.20335
- Co-Chair, Veterans Knowledge Community, NASPA, 2022-2024.
- College Teaching Graduate Certificate, Texas A&M University, 2022.
- Lang, W.A., & Long, M.S. (2021). Assessing the Impact of the COVID Pandemic on Student Veterans and Campus Support Services. Presented at the Council of College and Military Educators Symposium.
- Long, M.S., & Sullivan, S. (2021). Student Veterans as Adult Learners: Enhancing Student Veteran Success. Presented at the Council on Adult and Experiential Education Conference, San Diego, CA.
- Long, M.S., & Odom, S.F. (2022). #FirstGenVets: An Innovative Learning Community for First-Generation Student Veterans. Presented at the 14th Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference, Orlando, FL. Long, M.S. (2022). Fostering and Enhancing the Success of Student Veteran Learners. Presented at the NASPA Symposium on Military-Connected Students.
- Long, M.S. (2022). Best Practices for Supporting Military-Connected Students. Presented at the NASPA Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
