The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) staff awards are a way to celebrate the leadership and dedication of student affairs staff. Student affairs staff are committed to students’ well-being, success, and growth. They create events, programs, and supportive resources to help students thrive. The annual VPSA awards highlight the exceptional work that happens in the division, along with the important role our staff play in the UMBC community every day.
DoSA staff nominate colleagues for the awards, and winners are announced at the division’s annual end-of-year cookout each June. UMBC Employee of the Quarter and Job Well Done Award winners for the academic year are also recognized.
DoSA staff award nominations open during the spring semester and information will be shared in the DoSA Matters newsletter and in the Division of Student Affairs Internal myUMBC group.
UMBC and USM Awards Information
A list of UMBC and USM awards – along with criteria, eligibility, and deadlines – is available on the HR website.
DoSA Staff Awards Information
DoSA Staff Awards and Recognition Committee Charge
The Staff Awards and Recognition Committee is responsible for ensuring that staff in the Division of Student Affairs are nominated for institutional and USM awards, for developing internal awards and coordinating the solicitation, review and selection process for internal awards. This committee will also work in collaboration with the Staff Engagement Committee to coordinate an engaging end-of-the-year celebration that incorporates celebratory activities, recognition, and awards for staff across the division.
DoSA Awards
VPSA’s Outstanding Staff Leadership Award
This award will recognize a staff member across the division who epitomizes inclusive leadership. Staff who receive this award will demonstrate fairness, equity, integrity and empathy. They will lead from the heart and challenge others to ask important questions to ensure that others feel included and engaged. They will build excellent teams and show up with authenticity and grace.
Past winners:
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- 2024 Christine Routzahn, Career Center
VPSA’s Outstanding Collaborator or Campus Partner
This award will recognize a staff member who has developed partnerships with other key areas internal or external to the division that have a demonstrated impact on student success, engagement and growth. They will epitomize the ability to build bridges and will be a meaningful contributor to the division’s ability to show up as a strong and effective partner.
Past winners:
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- 2024 Amery Thompson, Student Success Initiatives
VPSA’s Change Maker Award
This award will recognize a staff member who has led or been an outstanding support or contributor to major organizational changes that impact student’s experience at UMBC. The Change Maker will be effective at both managing and leading change, fostering a positive organizational culture and challenge processes in ways that lead to direct benefits to students or staff.
Past winners:
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- 2024 Ariel Barbosa, Retriever Essentials