Student Affairs

 Department: Black Studies Program / Department of Theater and Dance

Nominator(s): 

 Dominic Dorsey, ACCESS
Miriam Roccia,  Student Affairs
Tarsha Moore,  Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion

Kathryn Bentley has also been a consistent partner with the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI). In the past year, Bentley has served as the Black History Month Co-Chair (she planned and facilitated the Slave Narrative Readings event as well as the play Xtigone), worked on MLK Week (served as a judge on the award review committee for a deserving SIUE student), she has supported SIUE Sustained Dialogue, assisted with the Kwanzaa event held within CSDI, and so much more.

Bentley has definitively increased the number of "co-curricular opportunities and access to services that enhance learning and achievement," specifically through her student led productions. The productions are therapeutic and educational examples of how learning is enhanced by challenging perceptions, changing attitudes and behavior. Delivering key messages that are easily understood and remembered, and improving self-esteem, motivation and achievement.

Kathryn Bentley is the consummate role model. She is a constant presence in the life of students on campus as well as in the larger metropolitan community. This may seem unrelated, however, what is most impressive is that with all of the work done in being a bastion for artistry in Southern Illinois/Northern Missouri, she does so with glee while being a repository for student concern, a beacon for student support and an ardent supporter and advocate for student success. She’s never too busy to show face and be in attendance to affirm the interests and objectives of students, she’s always lending her voice in amplifying the needs of students and she’s a willing collaborator with fellow faculty, staff and administrators. She is a rare occurrence in higher education where her station has not facilitated segregation from student interaction; which is critical to understanding the student population and what’s needed to promote their success.

 Department: Social Work

Nominator(s):

Dominic Dorsey II, ACCESS
Grace Flacke, ACCESS

Dr. Carter is constantly challenging her students and fellow faculty to have an impact on their community and the world they live in. She is constantly looking for ways to collaborate and expand the world of her students and encourages us to look outside of the box and even to work with other departments on projects. She has been a consistent partner with the ACCESS office and has been instrumental in making sure that for the past two semesters, that ACCESS has had social work practicum students to further their goals of infusing social justice principles into their work, by analyzing and addressing the intersectional concerns of students as it pertains to issues of food insecurity, experiencing homelessness, access to mental health care counseling, affordable medications, and more.

She listens to the voice of students and helps them problem solve issues or struggles that they may see, or may be dealing with themselves. When on campus her office is a revolving door of student questions, inquiries, and concerns. When she is not teaching or working on research she is sharing information and resources to the student body, and advocating and uplifting the work that her students are doing.

Her passion and fire for social justice and equity show in everything that she does and she encourages that outlook in all of her students. She is also a staunch advocate for Students with Disabilities within the Social Work program. Whether it is finding an acceptable internship for a deaf student and working in tandem with the office and us to make sure that the student had an enriching experience, or using her voice to amplify the work done by supporting initiatives like the Ed Roberts Dinner or the work of the Disability Advisory Committee, Dr. Carter is always sharing, enlightening and motivating her colleagues and students for greater success.

 Department: Department of Chemistry

Nominator(s):

Prince Robertson, Student Affairs

Dr. Hankins has utilized his academic position with the Department of Chemistry to connect with students across campus of all cultures and backgrounds. Dr. Hankins understands the importance of strengthening the relationship between faculty and student affairs. I believe he values this relationship by giving his time outside the classroom through volunteer and mentorship.

As a board member of the Black Faculty & Staff Association, he has created a mentor program to identify students that need additional support and connect them to faculty and staff that are willing to assist. As a committee member of the African-American Male Initiative at SIUE, his role is vital in the planning and implementation of initiatives that will support underrepresented students entering the University.

Dr. Hankins is dedicated to student success. He often goes above and beyond the duties of his role to make sure students have the tools they need to be successful in and out of the classroom at SIUE. His personable approach to students make him easy to talk to and his individualized attention to students demonstrates his care & concern.  His reach goes far beyond academics. Offering real-world guidance to students on how to navigate college and tips on how to achieve success both personally and professionally, Dr. Hankins has been given the title as one of the Premier Mentors to have on campus! Dr. Hankins is the type of educator that is invested in his students overall progression.  As byproduct of this, his students have excelled in their course and interests within the class.

 Department: School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Student Services Office

Nominator(s):

Brittany Logan, Career Development Center

Danie has been a constant champion for the well-being of the students she advises. During my time in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, I noticed that as we would have guests at our staff meetings, she was interested in the speakers and their departments/roles. As an Office Support Specialist on the front line of operations, I frequently heard and witnessed Danie engaging with students regarding services that were offered within the Student Affairs realm.

I believe Danie exemplifies a friend, not only to Student Affairs, but to the SIUE Community as a whole. I continue to feel inspired by her commitment to the students she advised. She was always open to share her knowledge with colleagues across campus, and her friendly demeanor makes her approachable. She is the biggest cheerleader for her students . She was prepared with things and answers for the student that he/she didn't even realize he/she needed! She encouraged her students, she was constructive with her remarks about bumps in the student's road, and most of all, she was an honest and caring figure to her students. She even walked a few students over to the Health Services office to offer her own support to students in need. Danie would talk about the different services available to students within the CDC. She also made sure that her students knew about the upcoming Career Fairs so they would be prepared and could plan in advance if they wanted to attend.  

I speak in the past tense, as I no longer work alongside Danie, however, she is still exemplifying these qualities.

 Department: Office of Admissions

Nominator(s):

Mallory Sidarous, University Housing

Jen demonstrates an attitude of care towards students throughout the recruitment cycle and then once they are students at SIUE.  She has worked with University Housing over the past several years to connect prospective transfer students to the Transfer Focused Interest Community in Cougar Village, including transfer students already living in the community and full-time housing staff. Her commitment to introducing transfer students to how they can get connected on campus during the recruitment stage is valuable and is a great example of how Admissions and Housing collaborate to provide a seamless experience for the prospective student.

If you have been around Jen, you would likely recognize her positivity right away. She is an encourager of others and very thankful for each and every partnership. As a campus partner, she is one of the best, a combination of a positive attitude, and also someone who is dependable and follows up. Jen values timely responses and making sure students have complete and correct information to make the best decisions. She provides valuable insight to me regarding prospective transfer students and never creates barriers, but finds ways to create pathways for valuable partnerships, sharing her knowledge and information. We are lucky to have her on our campus and as part of the SIUE Admissions team, representing SIUE.

 Department: SIUE Foundation and University Advancement

Nominator(s):

Melinda Stitzel, Kimmel Student Involvement Center
LaShatá Grayson, Kimmel Student Involvement Center

Nick puts students at the forefront of all he does as a professional, and fully exemplifies all the values of Student Affairs. Nick is often found in public spaces on campus, making himself visible and available to students, whatever they may need. This is further evidenced in how he uses his social media and other platforms to spotlight, encourage, and show appreciation for his students and the institution at large.

Through Nick’s position, he advises Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT). As adviser, he guides the group overall, but works more specifically with the leaders of the group. He exhibits great mentorship and advising skills in this capacity to help students grow and feel valued. STAT works to organize SIUE’s senior campaign and Always a Cougar Graduation Celebrations (co-hosted with Student Affairs) in December and May each year.

Beyond his advising relationship with students, Nick does a lot to make students aware of the SIUE Alumni Association and what opportunities and responsibilities come with being an SIUE alum. For many events he coordinates, he volunteers with individuals from across the division of Student Affairs. In turn, he volunteers at a number of programs put on by departments within Student Affairs, including the CDC’s Career Closet and, through his work with Safe Zone,  Rainbow Graduation.

Nick’s bright energy uplifts any room he enters. He greets colleagues and students with positivity and kindness, and encourages others to be better versions of themselves. Because of this, he has served on numerous university-wide committees. Nick’s supervisor Cathy Taylor stated “His infectious passion for SIUE is obvious in his daily life; he helps make SIUE a better place. I am proud to have him on our team and look forward to working and laughing with him every day.” So many student affairs colleagues would agree with her sentiment, which is why his is consistently sought after to sit on committees, present workshops (Leadership Lunch Spring 2020 for example), and help with other SIUE-wide opportunities. Nick puts in the work to be an excellent campus collaborator and a true friend of his colleagues in the workplace. 

 Department: Office of Retention and Student Success

Nominator(s):

Dominic Dorsey II, ACCESS

Few understand the level of advocacy necessary to build bridges to access like Dr. Tyler Phelps. Since taking over as the Interim Director for the Office of Retention and Student Success, not only has he taken an increased interest in the welfare of our diverse learning population, but he has repeatedly used his privilege and access to administrative discussions to advocate for access beyond the base level of compliance. He is a treasured partner to the ACCESS department and a trusted ally to all of our students. Not only in the class he teaches to fortify those students in danger of dismissal ready for their second chance, GRASP (Grade Recovery and Academic Sustainability Program), but he's also our voice in conversations regarding the unfair, even if unintentional, treatment of our students.

Specifically I can recall a student whom had received notice that her SAP status was calculated incorrectly, and that instead of being in warning status as she thought, she was actually terminated while in the middle of her current semester. This was a student whom struggled with attendance and had to medically withdraw a semester earlier and was working with our department to right the ship.

I immediately notified Tyler via email and he personally came right over to decry the injustice and work to make sure our student did not suffer for the mistakes of others. I'm happy to say I saw this student just this week smiling and working diligently in the lobby on her homework. A sight that would not have been possible if not for Tyler's intervention and diligence to ensure that the student had every opportunity to display their aptitude for success in conversations and circles that I myself otherwise would not be privy to.

Tyler Phelps epitomizes student centered advocacy and service. He's not just a friend to ACCESS but Student Affairs and every student he encounters. No partnership we have is more valued.

 Department: Educational Outreach

Nominator(s):

Dave Hagedorn, Campus Recreation

 I sincerely believe that the way in which Emily Skowron performs in her role has a direct benefit to Student Affairs and the university at large. Emily’s work within the Educational Outreach Department requires her to collaborate all over campus as she often has to work for and with groups throughout SIUE within the many collaborative programs that are part of her role for SIUE.

The most common examples of support and collaboration that I have directly experienced from Emily Skowron comes from her event and rental support. Emily’s ability to bring in and work well with community groups, allows Campus Recreation and other involved units to receive some non-student sourced revenue as she coordinates small and large scale events on behalf of the entire campus.  For some, it could be direct sales revenue in Dining Services or the Bookstore or some facility rental income in the MUC, Campus Recreation or Housing. For all of us it can have a long-term impact that can lead to future enrollments, satisfied alumni and overall perceived quality on behalf of our institution.

Emily takes excellent care of all of those that are connected to her work. If she can help… she will! I also worked directly with a Graduate Assistant that Emily Skowron had supervised and trained. I could see that she instilled the same values and work ethic in her staff that she exemplifies on a daily basis. I’ve known Emily since she was a Graduate Assistant here at SIUE and she has always been the same, high performing, ethical and win/win focused professional. Emily always stands ready to help SIUE be a quality resource and willing partner. 

 Nominator(s):

Miriam Roccia, Student Affairs
Mallory Sidarous, University Housing
Keith Becherer, Campus Recreation

ITS has been an exceptional partner throughout the process of establishing an esports arena on campus. 
The esports arena was intended to bring a new space to campus to serve the growing demand by the esports club and the casual gamer. ITS, as the technology experts, brought an invaluable contribution to the esports innovation grant team.

In August 2019, the innovation grant implementation team began working with an architect and facilities management to bring the space to the MUC. However, the likelihood of having a space built and ready to open in the next 12-18 months seemed like a long shot.  In October 2019, the team requested to locate a pop-up location in Bluff Hall, and ITS was ready and did much of the heavy lifting to consolidate a much longer implementation timeline into a short 3 month window.

Dan Chace, Mark Dorris, and James Pierce all worked closely with the president of the esports club to determine the needs of the club as it related to software, hardware specifications, and overall user needs. 

 Nominator(s):

Dominic Dorsey II, ACCESS

Often the work of an office like ACCESS or service to students with disabilities leaves the relationship between the office and campus faculty feeling very adversarial. Communication directly to or with faculty was always viewed very defensively. In collaboration with individuals like Dr. Thomas Jordan, Dr. Jessica Harris and Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs herself, Dr. Denise Cobb; not only has that dynamic drastically altered, but they've been more of a partner in seeking a more just, equitable and accessible campus community than simply a respondent.

From issues as simple as providing the support and understanding in articulating the need for a student to be able to use a calculator accommodation, to much larger initiatives such as the Essential Abilities and Technical Standards pilot to allow students, faculty and campus administrators an opportunity to make truly informed decisions about whether or not individuals with disabilities can complete degrees with or without accommodation.

Because of the understanding, support and advocacy of the Provost's office, conversation is happening, and the future is exciting and much more accessible as a result.

 Nominator(s):

Susan Seibert, Career Development Center

The School of Business helps exemplify the Student Affairs value of being Student-Centered. This value states it will reflect students' needs first and foremost. By including required CDC services in their core curriculum, the School of Business recognized the needs of students to have the core competencies required to enter the world of work upon graduation and partnered with the "office of experts" on campus who provide services in these areas.  This close collaboration between the School of Business and the CDC truly embodies a successful partnership between academic and student affairs areas which enhances the student's academic program by utilizing a student affairs office and its services that are already available to students.