Student Affairs celebrates and reflects upon the great work of its professionals and campus partnerships each academic year through five distinct award categories.
Award Descriptions and Criteria
The following awards recognize colleagues within Student Affairs, Res Life, and across the campus community who are making outstanding contributions to student success. Beyond the following awards, Student Affairs annually recognizes its staff members’ years of service and honors the recognitions colleagues have received from their professional organizations.
We will award up to two recipients per category.
Inclusive Excellence Award
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership while initiating, creating, and supporting inclusive student or employee experiences and/or environments. The individual should have a demonstrated commitment to fostering an open, positive, and inclusive campus community for everyone.
Eligibility Requirements
- Have worked in Student Affairs/Res Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as University or Academic staff for at least one year, as of May 2026.
Recipients will be evaluated based on evidence of one or more of the following:
- Leading efforts within or beyond the scope of one’s position.
- Fostering collaborative engagement.
- Demonstrates consistent effort to build welcoming, respectful, and supportive environments through daily work, professional development, or leadership.
- Develops or implements creative strategies that meaningfully support belonging, access, and inclusive excellence.
Dr. Lori Berquam Commitment to the Wisconsin Experience Award
Dr. Lori Berquam, former Dean of Students, was a champion for the development of and a devotee to amplifying the Wisconsin Experience as an integral element for each student while at UW. This award, as part of her legacy, extends that investment and recognizes champions who have used their work at UW-Madison to have a positive and significant impact within the student community. This work may be demonstrated through a variety of contexts, which may include but are not limited to, the quality and depth of their efforts to bring together campus and the communities within it. Specifically, the Wisconsin Experience is characterized by close integration of in- and out-of-class experiences; by active, creative and entrepreneurial engagement in real-world problems; and by offering students leadership in their learning.
The Wisconsin Experience comprises the following inquiry-based, high-impact practices:
Empathy and Humility
- Develop and demonstrate cultural understanding of self and others
- Engage locally, nationally, and globally in a respectful and civil manner
- Appreciate and celebrate one another’s abilities, view, and accomplishments
Relentless Curiosity
- Actively learn with expert teachers, scholars, and peers
- Engage in creative inquire, scholarship, and research
- Develop resilience and foster courage in life and learning
Intellectual Confidence
- Develop competence, depth, and expertise in a field of study
- Integrate ideas and synthesize knowledge across multiple contexts
- Exercise critical thinking and effective communication
Purposeful Action
- Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems
- Engage in public service, partner with others, and contribute to community
- Lead for positive change
Eligibility Requirements
- Have worked in Student Affairs/Res Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as University or Academic staff for at least one year, as of May 2026.
Recipients will be evaluated based on evidence of one or more of the following:
- Leadership or performance which greatly contributed to students’ experience in one or more of the four components of the Wisconsin Experience.
- Providing unique activities to bring together in- and out-of-class experiences.
- Encouraging students to focus and act on real-world problems.
- Development of unique programs and services that promote the Wisconsin Experience.
- Deepening student reflection on and integration of their many experiences.
- Exemplary service to and impact on a community whether that be through committee service, professional organization roles, projects, initiatives, etc.
- Collaboration with others in Madison, across the state, nation, or internationally.
- Commitment to and contributions toward the professional development of others.
Outstanding New Professional Award
This award recognizes a Student Affairs/Res Life member who has made outstanding contributions to their division and the community during the early years of one’s career. Contribution may be to the university, division, or through direct activities as a part of their normal employment. These activities must show innovation, reflect foresight, and display promise that the individual has the unique quality to positively impact the student experience.
Eligibility Requirements
- Have worked in Student Affairs/Res Life at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison as University or Academic staff for 0‐3 years, as of May 2026
Recipients will be evaluated based on evidence of one or more of the following:
- Demonstrated commitment to Student Affairs/Res Life.
- Engaged within their department on extensive collaboration to improve student outcomes.
- Innovative contributions to the individual’s department with preference to those whose impact stretches beyond their department.
Customer Service Award (New in 2026)
This award recognizes a Student Affairs/Res Life staff member who consistently delivers exceptional service to students, employees, and/or campus partners. The recipient demonstrates professionalism, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Their approach reflects patience, clarity, and care, contributing to a positive and supportive experience for all who seek assistance.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Have worked in Student Affairs/Res Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as University or Academic staff for at one year, as of May 2026.
Recipients will be evaluated based on evidence of one or more of the following:
- Demonstrates a consistent commitment to providing helpful, timely, and accurate support.
- Maintains a calm, respectful, and solutions-oriented approach, even in challenging or high-pressure situations.
- Provides information in a clear and effective way that is accessible, understandable, and tailored to the needs of the individual seeking assistance.
- Anticipates needs, identifies obstacles, and takes proactive steps to ensure a smooth and positive experience for others.
- Works effectively with other departments, teams, or campus partners.
Student Affairs Partner Award
Our highest level of impact comes when we work together. Staying in silos will never allow us to positively impact campus life in the way we desire.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nominations can be any person, department, unit, or division outside of Student Affairs that has worked and/or collaborated with a Student Affairs/Res Life employee or department.
Recipients will be evaluated based on evidence of one or more of the following:
- Built and sustained a strong partnership between own areas of work and Student Affairs/Res Life.
- A realization that “how” they do their work is often more important than “what” they do.
- Commitment to help personalize and humanize an often complex and overwhelming University to make the campus more centralized and have an at home feel.
- Advances the mission of Student Affairs/Res Life through the service of various programs and initiatives for the development of students’ learning
Questions? Email us at vcsa@studentaffairs.wisc.edu.