Each year, the division of Student Affairs recognizes outstanding staff members for their work with students and contributions to important divisional and university programs. Student Affairs recently honored eight staff members with divisional awards for their exceptional work during the 17-18 academic year.
Student Affairs Excellence Award
Franco Sambataro, coordinator in the Office of Student Involvement
For stepping up in every way possible while OSI was short staffed and going beyond the scope of his position each day; for supporting staff and students during several major campus programs like Midnight Breakfast and Gnome Hunt while completing his best practice research from IPED’s institutions for the creation of a Club Sport funding Board.
Collaboration Award
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month Planning Committee, including Natalie Stone, Ann Russo and Michael Riley
For planning an inclusive and intersectional Sexual Assault Awareness Month that was one of the most successful SAAM programs at DePaul, and for combining multiple programs together with relatively small attendance rates and turning them into one big and well-attended event: Take Back the Night.
Hannah Retzkin, sexual and relationship violence prevention specialist for the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness
For her work on the SAAM committee as well as for collaborating with many division and university departments through coordination of the Vinny Vow; and for working tirelessly on the office’s partnership with Fraternity and Sorority life (FSL) and establishing a bi-monthly standing meeting with FSL where she continued the conversation about sexual assault prevention.
Outstanding New Staff Professional
Rachana Doshi, staff psychologist and outreach coordinator for University Counseling Services
For her collaborative work with many offices in her development of spreadsheets and an assessment tool to help UCS track and trend outreach metrics which resulted in UCS reaching over 3,400 students via outreach and orientation programs; for being integral in UCS’s increase in total group sessions, which grew from 351 in 2016-17 to 692 in 2017-18 (a 97% increase).
Lou O’Brien Spirit of Student Affairs Award
Emily Kraus, administrative assistant for the Dean of Students Office
For being the go-to person for all things Student Affairs, excelling at problem solving and critical thinking, and treating all members of the community with care and respect; for caring for and supporting students and everyone in the division and never saying ‘no’ to someone who needs help.
Innovation Award
Courtney James, director of the Office of Student Involvement
For her astounding creativity in new and unique events for DePaul students, including Midnight Breakfast, which was attended by over 1,300 students and Winter Welcome Back and the Gnome Hunt, which were incredibly successful with students.