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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Sarah Laux received two awards from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) - College Student Educators International at its annual convention Monday, March 7 in Montreal, Canada.

An assistant director of civic engagement with SIUE’s Kimmel Student Involvement Center, Laux’s responsibilities include developing and coordinating community service opportunities for students though various avenues and creating opportunities for civic engagement and social justice awareness. Among those initiatives are Service Saturday projects, service learning in the classroom, advising Campus Kitchen at SIUE, developing and overseeing Alternative Spring Break trips, and advising Dance Marathon at SIUE and Alliance of Students Against Poverty. 

Laux received the highly selective Annuit Coeptis Award, considered a top honor among ACPA professionals. It honors five emerging professionals at a dinner where there is a wide-ranging discussion and exchange about professional issues. The award criteria include evidence of significant contributions to the field of student affairs/higher education through pursued academic degrees, professional practice, service and contributions to ACPA, and research, publication and presentations.

 “I am so honored, humbled and grateful to have been nominated and selected for both awards,” Laux said. “I truly have wonderful colleagues that were kind enough to speak on my behalf as an educator. I am fortunate to have found this career that I enjoy and gives me great purpose - every day is an adventure! 

“Serving students and providing them with opportunities to discover themselves and create further opportunities for their holistic development serves as the main drive behind my work. I’ll continue with further research to enhance the experiences we create for college students.”

An SIUE staff member since August 2011, Laux also received the Commission for Student Involvement Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award. The recipient will be invited to write for one of the Commission's publications during the next year. Criteria for the award include being a member of ACPA and the Commission for Student Involvement, been employed as a professional staff member in the field of student affairs for four-plus years, demonstrated commitment to the profession through work both at her institution and through professional organizations, is viewed by colleagues as an educator, displays genuine support and regard for students, involvement in and contributions to ACPA, and involvement in and contributions to a Commission for Student Involvement functional area.

“Sarah is one of the hardest working people I know,” said Kelly Jo Karnes, director of the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. “She is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do good work. She has brought so many new experiences and opportunities to our students. It was no surprise that she won this award, and she is so deserving. We are lucky to have her!”

An Alton native, Laux earned a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in higher education administration from Saint Louis University.

About ACPA

American College Personnel Association (ACPA) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education It is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

ACPA was founded in 1924 by May L. Cheney and has nearly 7,500 members representing 1,200 private and public institutions from across the U.S. and around the world. ACPA members include graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in student affairs/higher education administration programs, faculty and student affairs educators from entry level to senior student affairs officers, and organizations and companies that are engaged in the campus marketplace.

Photo:  Sarah Laux, assistant director of civic engagement with SIUE’s Kimmel Student Involvement Center.