Student Personnel Association announces annual awards

UW–Madison’s Student Personnel Association honored the efforts of nine individuals with its Outstanding Achievement Awards. The honors were distributed at a luncheon held on April 18.

The Chancellor’s Office, the Norman Bassett Foundation, the Ineva Reilly Baldwin and Ira L. Baldwin Endowment for Student Services, the Offices of the Dean of Students and the SPA membership make the awards possible.

Founded in 1956, the SPA exists to create cross-campus connections among people who work with students to support, enhance and reinforce the learning mission of UW–Madison.

Awards were made in six areas this year, with a stipend of $1,000 for the Chancellor’s Award and $500 for other winners. Winners are:

William Clifton, Leadership in Social Justice Award

Clifton, learning communities assessment and program development specialist in the Office of Equity and Diversity, has been on campus for more than a decade as both an academic staff member and student.

He is best known for his work on campus climate issues, playing a leading role in SEED, SEEDED and the Excellence Through Diversity learning community. He has also spearheaded the White Men’s Discussion Group, dealing with issues of white privilege.

“I put Will at the top for his tireless efforts and energy to foster positive change and growth, in the way that he is doing it,” writes his nominator, Greg Iaccarino of L&S Academic Affairs.

Joyce Jennings Currier, SPA Frontline Award

Currier, manager of the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program, has worked at UW–Madison for 25 years. Since 2002, she has helped administer much-needed scholarship funds to student parents. She is known as a tireless advocate for students, who deeply appreciate her commitment and assistance.

“Her opinions on everything from child care providers to parent-child issues is sought by the students she serves,” writes her nominator, Lynn Edlefson, director of the Office of Child Care and Family Resources. “In fact, she has quite a few student parents who provide her an update every year in the status of their education, their children’s growth and their family life in general.”

Carmen Hotvedt, Campus Impact Award

Hotvedt, who has served as a violence prevention specialist at University Health Services since 2004, is known as a tireless activist addressing the root causes of issues such as sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.

Some of her many areas of impact have been shifting violence issues to a community concern (as opposed to only victims or survivors) and engaging campus men and men’s groups to play a leading role. She has also served as an adviser to Promoting Awareness-Victim Empowerment.

“Carmen has dedicated herself to the critical community issue of violence prevention out of a profound belief that students, faculty and staff, male and female alike, can work together to create a safe and healthy learning community that benefits us all,” writes Daña Alder of UHS.

Eric Knueve, Campus Impact Award

Krueve joined the Student Organizations Office as adventure learning programs adviser in 2005, but has already made a large impact in the program. The program’s purpose is to provide team- building workshops for student groups across campus, ranging from student organizations to residence halls.

Through Knueve’s leadership, land has been acquired to build an inclusive campus-owned ropes course for use by students, faculty, staff and community members.

“Eric brings a sense of positivity, good humor, caring, enthusiasm and professionalism to all that he does,” writes Dean of students Lori Berquam. “He is committed to the principles and practice of social justice and all of ALPs programming is based on a foundation of inclusivity.”

Consuelo López Springfield, Norman Bassett Award

As part of a 13-year career at UW–Madison, López Springfield has distinguished herself both as a faculty affiliate and lecturer as well as an assistant dean and leader of diversity initiatives in the College of Letters and Science.

Among her many efforts, she is well known for her work as a pre-med/pre-law adviser in the L&S faculty advising center and for helping to develop Students for Equal Access to Law Schools. In 2006–07, she took the role of president of SPA.

“Springfield continues to challenge, amaze, excite and motivate students to reach their true human potential,” writes Ben Rodriguez, assistant dean in L&S. “She has been described as a friend, mentor and advocate for students.”

Ann E. Morris, Chancellor’s Award

After 39 years of service to the university, Morris plans to retire from the university this summer. Since 1986, she has served with distinction as a transfer coordinator and adviser in the School of Engineering.

Morris has provided high-level services for transfer students in engineering, serving as a model for recent efforts to improve those services campuswide.

“Ann was 20 years ahead of the trend, working diligently to bring transfer students into engineering and support them during their transition,” writes Don Woolston, assistant dean in the College of Engineering. “Her unflagging dedication to serving the interests of our undergraduate students over a career spanning many decades merits the recognition.”

Melanie Schneider, Award for Excellence In Student Affairs

Schneider, senior student services coordinator at the School of Pharmacy, has worked at UW–Madison for the past 12 years. She provides academic, career and personal advising to a class of 130 doctor of pharmacy students.

Pharmacy is unique in that advisers work with a specific group of students over time, developing relationships and knowledge of their academic careers.

“Melanie’s strong interpersonal skills, passion for higher education and dedication to excellent advising and student affairs demonstrate her commitment to this profession,” writes Lynn Maki, student services coordinator in the School of Pharmacy. “Her interpersonal skills are evidenced in the strong relationships she has helped to build with her students.”

Laura Shere, Norman Bassett Award

During the past 17 years, Shere has served as assistant director of University Housing and manager of University Apartments, located in Eagle Heights. The role is different from that of working in residence halls for undergraduate students.

Shere has established a program that provides on-site community services and assists international students and families adapting to life in Madison and the United States.

“Laura has served countless hundreds of residents who are completely unaware of the underlying structure she has put in place that enables essential services to run smoothly and continuously at University Apartments,” writes Paul Evans, director of University Housing.

Diane Steele, SPA Frontline Award

Steele started her UW–Madison career with University Housing in 1993, moving to the Offices of the Dean of Students in 2003. She serves as human resources director for the division, managing benefits, payroll and searches for open positions.

She is a resource to students and professional staff and has expertly managed the complex areas under her supervision.

“Diane exemplifies quality when promoting the image of the department or university through continual extension of service and courtesy to students, employees and the public,” writes her nominator, Dean of Students Lori Berquam.