Administrator of the Year

Established in the 1990-1991 academic year, the AUA J. Worth Pickering Administrator of the Year Award is designed to the recognize the overall body of work of an administrative/professional faculty member at the University. Originally called the Administrator of the Year Award, it was renamed after J. Worth Pickering, AUA's first president and one of its founding members, in 2000.

Nominations are sought every spring semester and are submittted electronically through this website. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Dr. Johnny Young (middle), recipient of the 2024 AUA Administrator of the Year award with Vice President Brandi Hephner LaBanc (left) and President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. (right) at the annual AUA Awards Breakfast.

The objective of this award is to recognize an Administrative/Professional Faculty Member's overall body of work at the University. Please include specific descriptions/evidence of how your nominee exceeds expectations of an administrator in each of the following categories listed below.

The nomination should address the nominee's overall body of work at the University. Supporting letters and documentation are encouraged.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 14, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. 

The chair of the selection committee is:
Marissa Jimenez
President-Elect
mjimenez@odu.edu

Final selection will be made by a committee of former administrator of the year award recipients.

ELIGIBILITY:
Nominees must:

  • Be designated by the University to be an AP Faculty member.
  • Have a body of work that support each of the categories listed below.

Any AP Faculty member, regardless of position title, may be nominated for this award.

If you are unsure about your nominee's eligibility, please call Human Resources at (757) 683-3042 for clarification.

Criteria for the AUA J. Worth Pickering Administrator of the Year Award:
The nominee should demonstrate outstanding performance in each of the following areas:

  • SERVICE

    • Evidence of major contributions that have made an impact on either the campus community or the off-campus community.
  • EFFECTIVENESS
    • Evidence of leadership, irrespective of administrative position; advocacy for students and/or staff; contributions to morale; improvements of processes and procedures; motivational, inspirational leadership style.
  • PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
    • Evidence that the nominee has excelled in presentations, publications, teaching, research, continuing education and/or recognition by professional organizations which benefited the University.
  • OTHER
    • Evidence of any outstanding qualities not categorized above.

Steps for Nomination Submission:

  1. You may draft your nomination using this template.
  2. Once complete, submit the official nomination using the nomination form.
  3. Up to three support letters and/or supporting documentation (e.g. news articles) may be submitted using the nomination form. Either the primary nominator, another colleague/supporter, or nominee may use the nomination form to submit the optional supporting materials.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 14, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

  • 2024 - Johnny Young - Associate Vice President for Inclusion - Student Engagement & Enrollment Services
  • 2023 - Barbara Blake Gonzalez - Chief Administrative Officer - Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy
  • 2022 - Jane Dané - Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
  • 2021 - Connie Merriman - Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs - Strome College of Business
  • 2020 - Scott Harrison - Associate Vice President for Administration in Student Engagement & Enrollment Services
  • 2019 - Tisha Paredes - Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
  • 2018 - Beth Esinhart - Director of Interdisciplinary Studies - Teacher Preparation Program
  • 2017 - Renee Olander - Associate Vice President for Regional Higher Education Centers
  • 2016 - Don Stansberry - Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Student Engagement and Enrollment Services
  • 2015 - Jenny Foss - Director of Student Health Services
  • 2014 - Jim Duffy - Associate Vice President Academic Affairs
  • 2013 - Lisa Mayes - Assistant Dean Academic Enhancement
  • 2012 - J. Worth Pickering - Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment
  • 2011 - Glenda Humphreys - Vice President for Human Resources
  • 2010 - Terri Mathews - Assistant Dean of the College of Sciences
  • 2009 - Terrell Perry - Center for Learning Technologies
  • 2008 - Leigh Butler - Director of Teacher Education Services and Advising
  • 2007 - Nancy Bagranoff - Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration
  • 2006 - Bill McMahon - Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • 2005 - Edie Barnett - Interim Vice Provost for Distance Learning
  • 2004 - Sandy Waters - Director of Undergraduate Services
  • 2003 - Alice McAdory - Director of Admissions
  • 2002 - Betty Diamond - Director of Financial Aid
  • 2001 - Bob Fenning - Vice President for Administration and Finance
  • 2000 - Marty Sharpe - Director of University Planning and Institutional Research
  • 1999 - Anne Raymond Savage - Associate Vice President for Lifelong Learning
  • 1998 - David Hager - Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • 1997 - Catherine Austin - University Controller
  • 1996 - GW Thompson - Director of Academic Advising
  • 1995 - Judy Bowman - Executive Officer for Academic Affairs
  • 1994 - Maggie Curry Williams - Executive Officer for Student Affairs
  • 1993 - Jan Smith - Associate Director of Career Management Center
  • 1992 - Clare Silva - Director of Academic Skills
  • 1991 - Pete Goldsmith - Dean of Students