Kansas State University

Faculty and staff receive Division of Student Life awards

Submitted by Division of Student Life

On April 29, the Division of Student Life presented several awards to K-Staters for their outstanding support of students. The Student Life Staff Development and Engagement Committee coordinated the awards nomination process and Thomas Lane, vice president for student life and dean of students, hosted the ceremony where award recipients were recognized.

The following list includes award recipients and quotes from their nominations.

Care Award: Kyle Chamberlin, assistant dean of student life, K-State Salina.
Chamberlin is described as the person everyone calls when a student has an issue or if faculty/staff have an issue with a student. He is the person who intervenes on a daily basis and provides genuine care for others. He has difficult conversations with students and walks side by side on their journey and provides resources.

Collaboration Award: Pat Hudgins, associate director, Career Center.
Hudgins has represented the Career Center and the division through her involvement this year with the JED campus initiative; Faculty Senate, serving as secretary; and a variety of search committees. She is always focused on people, with student and staff well-being always on the top of her list. She is calm, positive and supportive when collaborating internally as well as externally.

Community Award: Julie Rowe, student success coordinator, K-State Salina.
Rowe brings community to the K-State Salina campus. She is the middle ground to faculty, staff and students. She respectfully brings difficult conversations to all and allows everyone to share their view. She is the person who will find a way to make it happen. She is very connected with Salina resources. She connects campuses to each other, including Salina Area Technical College and Kansas Wesleyan University, to showcase each of our strengths.

Outstanding unclassified professional: Jason Maseberg-Tomlinson, director, Student Access Center.
Maseberg-Tomlinson is exemplary in many ways, and most recently, his work on mask compliance and challenges deserves recognition. While the university transitioned to a hybrid remote/in-person learning environment in the last year, he has been on the front line, helping problem solve and address very challenging and delicate situations for students. He balances the needs of students with health concerns who were worried about contracting COVID-19 and with others whose needs prevent them from being able to comfortably wear masks because of their disability. He treats all students equitably and gives them thorough and thoughtful consideration, many times when having to share news the students did not want to hear.

Outstanding new unclassified professional: Corey Williamson, executive director, K-State Student Union.
Williamson’s work ethic and attitude shined against the many challenges of the 2021-2022 academic year. His ability to continue serving students during uncertain times compounded with reduced staffing due to furloughs, personal leave and vacancies was exceptional. Williamson has done a phenomenal job leading the Union through a tremendously challenging two years. He is great at providing developmental opportunities for his staff. He works closely with the Union Governing Board and also the student services fee committee, where he was commended by Student Governing Association leaders for the information he provided. Williamson has worked closely with the Esports Club student leaders to make sure they have a strong voice at the table as the university works to develop a comprehensive esports program. He leads the division's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative and also co-chaired the city of Manhattan's Diversity Strategic Plan.

Dr. Susan Ariola Bosco Putting Students First Faculty Award: Susan Rensing, teaching associate professor of social transformation studies.
On campus, Rensing is one of those rare professors who you can find in her office at 4 p.m. on a Friday because she is meeting with a student to help them understand a concept or think through a final project. She is an exceptional teacher. She is the type of professor few students get to experience, but every student deserves — a passionate, caring, accommodating instructor who will change how you view and understand the world. As a result, she has helped many struggling students ultimately succeed in her classes.

Dr. Susan Ariola Bosco Putting Students First Staff Award: Kerri Keller, executive director, Career Center.
Keller has led the Career Center since the fall of 2002 through many changes with always one goal in mind: students first. She has worked on several K-State initiatives and workgroups to better student success along with working with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce committees to bring students and employers together. In addition to her many executive responsibilities of running the Career Center, she also teaches an internship class and gives presentations to K-State classes and organizations.

The following people and organizations received Cats' Cupboard awards:

• Campus Ice-Barrett Champions Award: Jean DeDonder, assistant director of Lafene Health Center.
• Community Ice-Barrett Champions Award: Margo Hutchison of Manhattan Hy-Vee.
• Friends of Cats' Cupboard Individual Award: Adelaide Klutse, master's student in family studies and human services.
• Friends of Cats' Cupboard Group Award: Call Hall Dairy Bar.

The following three organizations received K-State Parents and Family program awards:

• Parents and Family Program Fraternity of the Year award: Acacia.
• Parents and Family Program Sorority of the Year award: Alpha Gamma Delta.
• Parents and Family Program Home Away from Home of the Year award: Honors House.