Christine (Chris) Benson

Christine Benson has been instrumental in the design and implementation of Madonna University’s first-year experience program. Her tireless dedication to the program has resulted in an improved first year of college for Madonna’s students.

Benson has championed the concept of providing a targeted program for students transitioning to Madonna University. Her input was crucial in the establishment of the Office of the First-Year Experience, which now houses a series of interrelated strategies for first-year students. Benson’s dedication to making these programs compelling and engaging for students, along with her strong grounding in the research literature of first-year programs, learning communities, and student retention make her a valuable institutional resource and inspiration to her colleagues.

Benson’s work has led to significant changes in the quality of the student experience at Madonna University. She imparts a sense that authentic change can be achieved with good ideas, planning, diplomacy, and the will to improve.

Dale B. Billingsley

Dale Billingsley’s leadership has dramatically impacted the experience of first-year students at the University of Louisville. Meeting the needs of students remains central to his work, and the effects of this work have been far-reaching and overwhelmingly successful.

In the seven years since Billingsley took over full responsibility of undergraduate affairs, he has instituted changes in the recruitment, retention, and success of first-year students that have been phenomenal. His vision for first-year students has created reforms and improvements campus-wide by implementing new programs and services, instituting changes in personnel, forging new relationships with the undergraduate deans, developing better recording and monitoring of progress, and exhibiting a deep, abiding concern for the welfare of each and every one of Louisville’s new students.

Billingsley is known for his leadership qualities, collaborative and good-natured spirit, and continued dedication to the success of first-year students. He garners the utmost respect from students and colleagues alike, and is considered "a man for the students."

Harvest Collier

Harvest Collier has worked tirelessly on behalf of students at Missouri University of Science and Technology for over 25 years. He is an inspiration for faculty and staff engaged in retention work, and serves as a mentor for countless students.

As the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Collier has contributed not only to a significant improvement in the first-year experience, but also to a culture of continuous improvement on campus. Guided by a mission to "improve the learning environment, and enhance the learning outcomes of students," his office has worked to ensure a positive experience for first-year students. Collier's numerous initiatives have begun to transform the culture of campus from one that too often saw low retention as a sign of academic rigor to one that embraces methods to increase learning.

Collier is a dedicated visionary, innovative teacher, and possesses an extraordinary work ethic. He exemplifies a true commitment to student success and is a genuine champion for first-year students.

Christa D. Fye

Christa Fye has played a foundational role in efforts to enhance the experience and academic success of first-year students at Hampden-Sydney College. Her innovative programs and dedication to counseling students have made a significant impact.

Students have benefited greatly from working with Fye and the multitude of programmatic efforts she has spearheaded. Additionally, through her work with the Intercultural Affairs Committee, Fye has had a positive influence on the prevailing climate toward students viewed as out of the mainstream due to their race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Her tireless efforts in support of these students - especially those new to campus and searching for their place - have impacted the campus and are moving it in a new direction.

Fye is extremely well liked and well respected by students and staff alike. She continuously rises to the challenge of supporting successful student experiences and is an advocate for student during their critical first year.

Stacy Gilbert

Stacy Gilbert is a passionate and devoted champion of first-year students at Louisiana Tech University. Her efforts have transformed the first-year experience into a robust and thriving student-centered program.

Gilbert has made significant changes during the two years in her position, including reinstating and invigorating First-Year Convocation, reviewing and focusing the first-year seminar to meet the needs of Louisiana Tech's students, as well as supporting various other initiatives for first-year student success. Through her work, she strives to provide the best possible environment, resources, and overall experience for first-year students.

Continuously working to bridge academic affairs and student services, Gilbert is a superb collaborator who seeks partnerships within the university and local community to benefit the first-year experience program. She has become an integral player in the University's firstyear retention and student success efforts.

Richard Reid

Richard Reid is a leader in facilitating student success at South Dakota State University. His work building relationships with students has impacted enrollment and retention dramatically and inspires campus colleagues.

Reid's advocacy for first-year students is clear through his high-contact, personal, and hightouch approach. The strong relationships he develops with students begin prior their college years and continues through their time on campus. He devotes a significant amount of his time engaging with students to understand their needs, support their success, and contribute to a positive collegiate experience.

Reid's passion for and dedication to student success have garnered him great respect and admiration across all disciplines. Colleagues tap into his expertise and commitment almost daily across campus as they work to help every student achieve success.

Sarah K. Shutt

For more than 10 years, Sarah Shutt has been a true agent for change at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Her commitment, enthusiasm, and support of first-year students are unparalleled and have transformed the nature of first-year student success.

Shutt has been involved in every major initiative at the college to provide programs and services that facilitate first-year student success. She has worked with the new student orientation program, the development of Learning Communities, and refined the College Success Skills course to enhance the first-year experience. Through her work, Shutt truly communicates the ideals and models the efforts needed to adequately develop programs and services that address transitional issues and support first-year students during their transitions.

Through her efforts and initiative, she has gained the respect of fellow staff members within her unit, faculty members at the college, as well as peers throughout the Virginia Community College System.

Stanley D. Singleton

Stanley Singleton demonstrates excellence as an educator and scholar, genuine concern for students, and displays the value of helping students to not only become acclimated to Paine College, but a deep commitment to ensuring first-year students leave with a completed degree.

Singleton empowers each new student at the beginning of his or her educational journey as an academic advisor, counselor, and supporter. He engages students by being accessible, expressing genuine concern, incomparable energy, and a dynamic sense of humor. He gets close enough to students to both hear and understand what they are saying, but is removed enough to help them conceptualize the value of their experiences during their first year.

As a champion of first-year students, Singleton shows great enthusiasm and strong commitment to student success. He carries out his role with perseverance and dedication, and is admired by students and staff alike.

Tonya Strickland

Tonya Strickland has been an invaluable resource as Bainbridge College seeks to improve the success and retention of first-year students. She has brought about important, positive changes, including renewed campus interest in first-year students and a student success course.

Since joining Bainbridge College in 2005, Strickland has worked to provide exceptional academic and career development opportunities for students who may have otherwise been unsuccessful in their college careers. Chairing two divisions, she has one of the busiest offices on campus, yet she always has time for students. She demonstrates an understanding of the need to meet each student at his individual starting point, assess his needs, and provide resources and strategies to help him achieve success.

Strickland’s untiring interest in bettering the lives of first-year students is moving Bainbridge College toward an energized and positive environment supportive of their success.

Nancy Walburn

Nancy Walburn has spent her career contributing to the success of undergraduate students. Her commitment to best practices of academic advising have had a major influence on the environment of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Since 1991, the advising of at-risk first-year students has been transformed and professionalized under Walburn’s leadership. She has helped other units emulate the success she has achieved, with tremendous benefits to students and the university. Walburn has built strong relationships with student service units across campus, which has allowed for collaborative and creative problem solving and strategizing. Additionally, Walburn has expanded the mission of her office to include more student academic success initiatives for all students.

Walburn is attuned to the needs of first-year students and completely committed their success. She is an articulate spokesperson and has been instrumental in convincing administration to enhance first-year initiatives.