At each annual conference, members of SACSA recognize the accomplishments of a select group of colleagues. The SACSA Awards and Recognition Committee invites the membership to make nominations for the four most prestigious awards given by the Association. These awards are based upon merit and may or may not be presented each year.

The Melvene Draheim Hardee Award

The Melvene Draheim Hardee Award recognizes contributions to student personnel work by a member of the Association. Recognition will be for achievement in one or more of the following areas:

• Development of a model program or concept that impacts student personnel work in the Southeast.
• Significant research and/or publication.
• Providing outstanding leadership in professional organizations and/or endeavors.
• Any unique and outstanding contribution to student personnel work that calls for acceptance and acknowledgement throughout the profession.

Previous award recipients are:

The Howard Davis Sr. Award

The Howard Davis Sr. Award recognizes outstanding service rendered to SACSA by a member of the Association. Recognition will be for achievements in one or more of the following areas:

• Performance of duty above the expected.
• Completion of a service to the Association that reflected faithful and competent achievement.
• Development of new programs or concepts with a positive impact upon the Association.

Previous award recipients:

The Bobby E. Leach Award

The Bobby E. Leach Award recognizes a student affairs professional or graduate student who has contributed significantly to the development of multicultural relations on a college or university campus. Criteria is as follows:

• Currently active in SACSA (one year minimum membership).
• Must have been significantly involved at least two years in efforts, which have contributed to improvement of multicultural relations on his/her campus.

Previous award recipients:

The New Professional Award

The New Professional Award recognizes a new professional who has provided exemplary service to SACSA. Criteria is as follows:

• No more than five years of full-time experience in student affairs.
• Current membership for at least one full year and active involvement in SACSA.
• Demonstrated service to the profession (e.g., presented a paper, workshop, conducted research, demonstrated leadership) and promise shown for becoming a leader in the field.
• Attended at least two SACSA affiliated professional development conferences, workshops, or activities.
• Possess outstanding character and potential role model stature for other new professionals.

Previous award recipients:

The Mid-Level Professional Award

The Mid-Level Professional Award recognizes a mid-level professional who has provided exemplary service to SACSA and on a college or university campus. Criteria are as follows:

• Minimum of six years of full-time professional experience supervising, maintaining budgets, and/or programming in a higher education setting.
• Current membership for a minimum of three full years and active involvement in SACSA.
• Demonstrated service to the profession and his/her institution (e.g., presented a paper or workshop locally or at a state, regional, or national conference, conducted research, mentored graduate students and new professionals, campus committee involvement, and professional association involvement)
• Attended at least three SACSA affiliated professional development conferences, workshops, or activities.
• Possess outstanding character and potential role model stature for new and other mid-level professionals.

The Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Outstanding Graduate Student Award recognizes a graduate student for their academic achievement, campus involvement and potential for significant contributions to the Student Affairs profession. Criteria are as follows:

• Enrolled as a full-time student pursuing masters or doctoral work in a Student Affairs-related degree program, with intention of pursuing a career within Student Affairs.
• Current membership for at least one full year and active involvement in SACSA.
• Demonstrated academic achievement.
• Active involvement and leadership roles in campus activities and organizations.
• Possess a paraprofessional or intern-related position within the Student Affairs Division.

The Joe Buck Service Award

This award is created to recognize the long-term membership and service of Dr. Joseph A. Buck, Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus at Armstrong Atlantic State University, to the Southern Association for College Student Affairs. Dr. Buck currently serves as SACSA's inaugural Executive Director, a position for which he has volunteered since 2001. Prior to this role, Dr. Joe Buck has served SACSA with distinction since 1973. His accomplishments include:

• SACSA Scholar, 2003, 2002
• Local Arrangements Chair, 2000, 1990, 1980
• SACSA Foundation participant
• H. Howard Davis, Sr. Award Recipient, 1988
• SACSA President, 1984-1985
• SACSA Historian, 1976, 1975
• Chair, By-Laws Committee, 1987, 1986
• Chair, State of Georgia, Sexual Harassment Task Force. 1988, 1987
• Chair, Consultative Services Program, 1977, 1976

The Joe Buck Service Award shall be presented to a dependable and dedicated SACSA member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Association.

Selection criteria is as follows:

• Minimum of 5 years of SACSA membershp.
• Demonstrated record of committee service and/or leadership.
• Has not served as an elected officer.
• Has not received prior award recognition from SACSA.
• Viewed by SACSA colleagues as a role model, mentor, and unsung hero of the Association.

Previous award recipients:

Ted K. Miller Award for Excellence

CAS established the Ted K. Miller Award for Excellence to recognize outstanding accomplishments in advancing standards of practice and quality assurance in educational programs and services in higher education.  The enhancement of student learning and development remains at the very core of the mission of the Council for the Advancement of Standards. The Ted K. Miller Award is presented by CAS member associations to an individual based on the following criteria:

• Outstanding leadership or creative initiative are exhibited in the promotion of standards in higher education, and/or in the field of student learning and development
• Significant publications and/or other professional activities have been accomplished in the field of standards, their application, and relevant assessment of student learning and development
• CAS standards are reflected and the goals of CAS are promoted in publications and in facilitated assessment activities, and are significantly included in their work and/or through professional activities

 Previous award recipients:

Dissertation of the Year Award

The Dissertation of the Year Award shall be presented to recognize high quality research by doctoral students in the SACSA region. Dissertations must be completed and signed between July 1 and June 30 of the year preceeding the SACSA conference where the award is to be announced (i.e. between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 for the 2011 award). DEADLINE for submission is July 18, 2011. Submission information can be found here. Abstracts from winners from the past few years can be found on the SACSAworks page here.

Previous award recipients:

Research Incentive Grant

A Research Incentive Grant may be presented to encourage research in student affairs theory and practice. College student affairs professionals and graduate students working on a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation are eligible to compete for the award. The recipient must be from the SACSA region and be an active member of SACSA. For more information see the Research Committee page here or download details about the research grant here.

Previous grant recipients: