Monarch Professional Award

Established in the 2012-2013 academic year, the AUA Monarch Professional Award is designed to recognize mid-level administrative/professional faculty with a developing body of work at the University.

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

Liam Costello (middle), recipient of the 2024 AUA Monarch Professional Award with Vice President Brandi Hephner LaBanc (left) and President Brian O. Hemphill (right) at the annual AUA Awards Breakfast.

The objective of this award is to recognize mid-level administrators and professionals with a developing body of work at the University who demonstrate exceptional performance in their position. The developing body of work should support at least one of the categories below.

The nomination for should address the nominee's developing 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:
Liz Smith
AUA Past Chair
exsmith@odu.edu

Final selection will be made by a committee of former Monarch Professional Award recipients.

ELIGIBILITY:
Nominees must:

  • Be designated by the University to be an AP Faculty member;
  • Be at the level of director or lower in terms of position title; and,
  • Have made a major contribution to the Monarch community within a reasonably recent time frame.

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

Criteria for the AUA Monarch Professional Award:
The nominee should demonstrate exceptional performance in the following areas including, but not limited to:

  • SERVICE

    • Evidence of contributions that have made an impact on the campus community.
  • EFFECTIVENESS
    • Evidence of leadership, irrespective of administrative position; advocacy for students and/or staff; contributions to morale; improvements of processes and procedures.
  • 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.

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 - Liam Costello - Assistant Director for Clinical Services - Division of Student Engagement & Enrollment Services
  • 2023 - Joy Himmel - Director of Counseling Services - Division of Student Engagement & Enrollment Services
  • 2022 - Reneldo Randall - Director of Advising - College of Sciences
  • 2021 - Kasie Reyes - Deputy Director - Center for Global Engagement
  • 2020 - Joe Ritchie - Director of First Year Student Success - Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships
  • 2019 - My Ngoc Nguyen - Program Manager - School of Community and Environmental Health
  • 2018 - Daniella Cigularova - Director of Transfer Advising and Articulations - Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships
  • 2017 - Michele Mitchell - Assistant Director and Chief Departmental Advisor- Interdisciplinary Studies - Teacher Preparation Program
  • 2016 - Shanna Wood - Program Manager - Master of Business Administration Program
  • 2015 - Arminda Israel - Coordinator and Veteran Student Advisor - Military Career Transition Program
  • 2014 - Tisha Paredes - Director of Assessment - Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
  • 2013 - Meg Jones - Program Manager - Department of Urban Studies and Public Administration