Seeking Nominations: 2020 SAA Awards

April 13, 2020

Each year, our program recognizes the contributions and good work of students, staff, and alumni. Review the award descriptions below and submit your nomination herein. Please indicate only one name per submission. All nominations must be received by April 20, 2020.  

Please consider making a nomination this year! Use this link to make your nomination.

The Student Affairs Administration program is pleased to invite nominations for the 2020 SAA Awards.

Student Awards

Max Raines Award for Outstanding First-Year Student: created in 1993 to honor Max Raines for his contributions to the field of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs preparation program at MSU. Nominees must embody the qualities for which Max Raines was so valued. A candidate must be currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Student Affairs Administration, be in good academic standing, and have completed less than 20-semester credits at Michigan State University. Candidates may not nominate themselves. Specifically, the criteria for consideration are: Academic achievement, Commitment to the field of student affairs, and/or Commitment to one’s professional peers.

Lou Stamatakos Award for Outstanding Second Year Student: established during the 1990?91 academic year by the Graduate Association of Student Affairs at Michigan State University. In honor of the dedication and commitment of Louis C. Stamatakos to the field of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs preparation program at MSU, this award is given to an outstanding graduating Master’s student in Student Affairs who demonstrates exceptional promise through: Scholarship, Professional Commitment, and Contribution to the field of Student Affairs.

  • Scholarship: The recipient must possess analytical skills and the ability to articulate and apply relevant concepts to practice within the field of Student Affairs. Graduate grade point average may be considered in the selection process, but no minimum is required for nomination.
  • Professional Commitment: The recipient must possess a strong commitment to the profession of Student Affairs. The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to ethical standards and to the education of students.
  • Contribution to the Field of Student Affairs: The recipient must demonstrate leadership potential among his/her peers, scholarly promise, and the likelihood to make a significant contribution to the field of Student Affairs.

For Student Awards, please consider nominating those with whom you have worked: through classes, practica, graduate assistantships, and other special projects or positions. A candidate must be currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Student Affairs and be in good academic standing.

Practitioner Awards

Pat B. Enos Mentoring Award: established in 2004 by the Student Affairs Administration program to honor Dr. Patricia B. Enos for her two decades of outstanding support and guidance to hundreds of Student Affairs Administration Students in her tenure at Michigan State University. The award provides an opportunity for others to honor those at Michigan State University for similar excellence in mentoring between higher education professionals and the master’s Student Affairs Administration students. A mentor attracts young learners and talent not through recruitment but through strength of personality and a willingness to give of themselves for the benefit of others. Please take a moment and nominate a mentor. HALE faculty are not eligible for this award.

Cynthia K. Helman Distinguished Alumni Award: established in 2013 by the Student Affairs Administration program to honor Dr. Cynthia Helman for her distinguished career in student affairs and higher education and ongoing support to the Educational Administration Department and the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education unit. The award provides an opportunity for us to honor the contributions of Spartans in the field of student affairs and continued support for MSU and the SAA program through mentorship and engagement. Please take a moment and nominate one of our amazing alumni!

The recipient of these awards will be announced through email, online, and through social media.