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Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Recognition Program

Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Recognition Program

The back of a student wearing a Spartan helmet hat with the student framed by green trees and the sidewalk ahead.This nomination recognizes MSU educators (anyone contributing to the teaching and learning, outreach, and/or student success missions of the university) and staff who demonstrate exceptional dedication to one of the five opportunity areas of undergraduate student success. 

  • All nominees will receive a congratulatory letter signed by Mark Largent, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and dean of Undergraduate Studies, as well as a certificate recognizing their contributions.
  • Letters and certificates will be processed and distributed at the end of the nomination window (on a quarterly basis).
    • Summer 2025 nomination window will open May 19, 2025 and run until August 15, 2025.
    • Fall 2025 nomination window will open August 25, 2025 and run until December 14, 2025.
    • Spring 2026 nomination window will open January 12, 2026 and run until May 3, 2026.
  • Nominators will also have the opportunity to nominate individuals for the Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Awards within the same nomination form.
  • Winners in each area will be formally recognized and presented with an award at the annual Student Success Summit.
Nomination Form

2025 Award Recipients2025 Student Success recognition program winners gathered together for a group photo.

Self-discovery of Purpose

  • Maggie Harris, assistant director, Internships & Career Education, College of Arts & Letters, Undergraduate Studies, Excel Network
  • Victoria Morris, assistant director, Career Services, College of Arts & Letters, Undergraduate Studies, Excel Network

Educational Success

  • Kirk A. Domer, professor and director, Theatre/Arts and Cultural Management
  • ShirDonna Y. Lawrence, director, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Life & Engagement DEIB and Fraternity & Sorority Life
  • Danielle M. Flores Lopez, director, Advising and Student Success, Natural Science

Contributing to an Empowered Community

  • Jonlim Han, director, DOW STEM Scholars
  • Pat Arnold, assistant director, GenCen

Developing a Sense of Belonging

  • Yvonne C. Morris, advisor and associate chair, African American and African Studies
  • Sharron Reed-Davis, coalition coordinator, Student Life & Engagement DEIB

Developing Wellbeing

  • Laura Yares, faculty, Religious Studies
  • Samara Chamoun, educator and doctoral candidate in mathematics, Mathematics

Photos and More

Five Opportunity Areas of Student Success Awards

An award will be presented in each of the five opportunity areas of student success.
This area of student success recognizes staff members or educators who exemplify excellence in guiding students toward self-discovery of purpose. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to fostering personal, academic, and cultural exploration while supporting students in articulating and achieving their goals through a commitment to continuously reviewing, refining, and adapting policies, procedures, and practices to better support students in self-discovery of purpose.
This area of student success recognizes staff members and educators whose work demonstrates a significant commitment to advancing Educational Success for students at MSU. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to fostering personal, academic, and cultural exploration while supporting students in articulating and achieving their goals through a commitment to continuously reviewing, refining, and adapting policies, procedures, and practices to better support students’ educational success.
This area of student success recognizes staff members or educators whose work significantly contributes to fostering an empowered and supportive community at MSU. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to fostering personal, academic, and cultural exploration while supporting students in articulating and achieving their goals through a commitment to continuously reviewing, refining, and adapting policies, procedures, and practices to better support students towards contributing to an empowered community. 
This area of student success recognizes staff members or educators who have made significant contributions to creating a sense of belonging for students, particularly through fostering meaningful relationships, supporting academic and social engagement, and mitigating bias. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to fostering personal, academic, and cultural exploration while supporting students in articulating and achieving their goals through a commitment to continuously reviewing, refining, and adapting policies, procedures, and practices to better support students in developing a sense of belonging. 
This area of student success recognizes staff members or educators who have made significant contributions to fostering the overall wellbeing of students. Nominees should demonstrate a holistic commitment to students’ health and wellness, support systems, and accessibility to resources that enhance their wellbeing. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to fostering personal, academic, and cultural exploration while supporting students in articulating and achieving their goals through a commitment to continuously reviewing, refining, and adapting policies, procedures, and practices to better support students’ development of wellbeing.

Join the Recognition Nomination Review Committee!

Interested in getting involved? Commitment will include two meetings (kickoff and decision meeting), and asynchronous review of nominees mid- March and April.

If interested, please register via the form linked below.

Interest Form