Division of Student Affairs Awards

In conjunction with the launch of the Strategic Plan,  Cultivating Courageous Change, the Division of Student Affairs established awards to honor those staff members and colleagues whose performance exemplifies the values we hold as a division and qualities we strive for as we serve students.

 

Nomination Process

Nominations for the 2025 Division of Student Affairs Awards are now open! Help us recognize outstanding colleagues by submitting your nomination by Monday, May 26 at 12 p.m. Use the link below to complete the nomination form, and please submit one form per nominee.

Note:

  • A nominee’s resume is required to complete the nomination form.
  • Nominees should meet the years of service criteria by Impact Day, August 7, 2025.

For questions about service dates, please contact a member of the Office of the Senior Vice President.

Nominate a Colleague

Courageous Change Leader

5 years or more in SMU Student Affairs
The Courageous Change Leader (CCL) award is the highest honor bestowed on a staff member within the Division of Student Affairs. As a division we established six commitment statements identifying how we expect staff to approach their work holistically supporting students in the development of meaningful lives. These commitment statements are the overarching expectations for our work in this student-centered environment. The CCL award recognizes one or two staff members within the division who embody these commitment statements.

Courageous Change Leaders are chosen by the Vice President's Leadership Team (VPLT) and receive a $1,000 honorarium, plaque, and one additional day off. (VPLT members are ineligible for this award).

Impact

More than 3 years in SMU Student Affairs
This award recognizes a professional who is a game-changer on campus and within the division. Recipients are outstanding performers whose contributions to our division through their work celebrate a positive impact in the lives of our students, in advancement of our strategic plan, and/or in creating community in our division.

The Impact awardee is selected by an ad-hoc committee and receive a $500 honorarium, plaque, and one additional day off.

Outstanding Newcomer

Less than 3 years in SMU Student Affairs
This award recognizes a professional newer to the division who shows strong potential for excelling in our division of student affairs and whose positive contributions are noteworthy. New perspectives, new energy, and new ideas can impact our work in profound and meaningful ways.

The Outstanding Newcomer awardee is selected by an ad-hoc committee and receive a $500 honorarium, plaque, and one additional day off.

Student Affairs Champion

Members of the Division of Student Affairs may nominate an SMU-employed individual (e.g., an individual faculty member) or group (e.g., the SMU in Four committee) outside of the division who has been an outstanding partner and/or made a meaningful contribution through exceptional dedication to the mission and vision of the Division of Student Affairs. Recipients are engaged partners, collaborative, and student focused.

The Student Affairs Champion is selected by an ad-hoc committee led by the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and receives a plaque.

2024 Award Recipients

Courageous Change Leader

Renée Gibson's dedication to the SMU community embodies the core values of Student Affairs. Her dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment at SMU sets a standard for excellence and compassion. Through her role in Residence Life and Student Housing, Renée has fostered a culture of support and growth among our student leaders. Her innovative approach has led to new programs that promote peer support and skill development, significantly boosting morale among RA staff. Her passion for creating memorable experiences extends beyond her role in RLSH where she has enhanced Student Affairs events with creativity and attention to detail, ensuring they resonate deeply with students, families, staff, and faculty alike. Read more on why Renée is deserving of this award in the 2023-2024 Impact.

Renee Gibson
2023-2024 Impact
Brandon Kitchen

Impact

Brandon Kitchin

Brandon dedicates himself wholeheartedly to welcoming and supporting students within the SMU community, emphasizing mentoring, and fostering personal growth. As Social Change Coordinator in the Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, Brandon’s leadership and involvement in programs such as Intersections, Real Talk, Barber Shop Talk, and the Connect Mentorship Program show his commitment to creating inclusive spaces where students can openly share their experiences and build meaningful connections. He serves as a welcoming space for all students, where he offers genuine support and isn’t afraid to address challenging topics to guide their growth.

Lauren Eisenschenk

Outstanding Newcomer

Lauren Eisenschenk

As Residential Community Director for Boaz Commons, Lauren has quickly made a significant impact on the residential experience and division. Under her leadership, Boaz has flourished as a community where students feel deeply cared for and supported. She revitalized the beloved tradition of “Wake Up Wednesdays” in the Boaz lobby, personally greeting residents with breakfast and coffee alongside her dog Goose, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere that students eagerly anticipate each week. Lauren’s dedication to enhancing student experiences are further evidenced by her involvement in supporting commuter students and working closely with Boaz Faculty in Residence to ensure all residents feel welcomed and connected. 

Brenda Scott

Student Affairs Champion

Brenda Scott

Brenda Scott, Director of Inclusive Excellence for SMU Athletics, has been a remarkable ally to Division of Student Affairs through her work in Athletics. She proactively reaches out to establish connections and explore collaborations, focusing on supporting the holistic student-athlete experience at SMU. One of many examples is through her collaboration with the Women and LGBT Center to implement LGBTQIA+ 101 and Ally Training sessions for over 30 Athletics Department members, with ongoing efforts to integrate these important workshops into student-athlete program. Brenda’s collaborative approach and genuine care for the student-athlete experience exemplify her impactful contributions to SMU’s community.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Courageous Change Leader

    2019: Bonnie Hainline, Madison Mucci-Ferris
    2020: Meghan Perez
    2021: Dr. Sidney Garder, Staphany Lopez-Coronado
    2022: Matt Nadler, Bonnie Pickett
    2023: Audryanna Reed

  • Impact

    2023: Amanda Bobo

  • Outstanding Newcomer

    2022: Jermisha Frazier
    2023: Kaleb Loomis

  • Student Affairs Champion

    2023: Timmie Hathorn