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Awards Recognize Exemplary Contributions to USF Student Success

Outstanding USF faculty, staff and students who contributed to a record-breaking year for the university’s student success initiative were recognized March 21 at an awards luncheon in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom.

“I am proud to report that we have registered a retention rate of 90 percent, the highest in USF history,” Paul Dosal, USF vice president of Student Affairs & Student Success, told the nearly 300 attendees at this year’s Student Success Awards Luncheon. “Further, we are on track to hit a six-year graduation rate of 70 percent, which will also be the highest ever.”

Paul Dosal, USF vice president of Student Affairs and Student Success, welcomed the awardees and their guests.

Dosal’s welcoming remarks were preceded by a video highlighting the USF student success initiative and the role analytics has played to help enhance student performance and support students, particularly those at risk.

USF System President Judy Genshaft and USF Provost Ralph Wilcox joined Dosal on stage to congratulate the individual and group award recipients.

Academic Excellence Award, for outstanding contributions to improving student success by implementing technologies, techniques or practices that transform the student experience:

- Gerry Meisels, professor of chemistry and director, USF Coalition for Science Literacy
- Kingsley Reeves, associate professor, College of Engineering

Innovation Award, for extraordinary efforts to develop and share new technologies that improve outcomes for student success: Sidney Fernandes, USF system vice president for technology and chief information officer

The Development and Engagement Award was presented to Stacy Pippen, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and a team of USF students who worked on the Mobilizing the Dream initiative.

Champions Award, honors faculty, staff or students exemplary in inspiring excellence in the student success movement.

- Mary Goodwin, director of engineering student services, College of Engineering
- Owen Hooper, director of accelerated summer and intersession academic programs, USF Innovative Education
- Carrie Garcia, director of application services, USF Information Technology

Collaboration Award, honors a team that reaches across colleges and units to generate programs and practices advancing student success: Students of Concern Assistance Team (SOCAT)

Development and Engagement Award, honors individual, team or unit for improving student success and learning outcomes by implementing technologies, techniques or practices that transform the student experience: Stacey Pippen, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the student team that initiated “Mobilizing the Dream.”

The Provost Award honored the Persistence Committee, which took on the charge of raising USF's performance on retention and graduation rates.

Partnership Award, honors an individual, company or organization rendering extraordinary service to the student success initiative: Mark Milliron, co-founder and chief learning officer of Civitas Learning

Provost Award, honors an individual, team, department or college for exemplary performance and achievements in student success:  Persistence Committee chaired by Tom Miller, which identifies and supports at-risk students and is developing a transformative case management approach for student success

The luncheon culminated with the keynote address “A Healthy Change in Education” by Partnership Award winner Mark Milliron of Civitas.

Guest speaker Mark Milliron, co-founder and chief learning officer of Civitas Learning, received the Partnership Award recognizing exemplary performance and achievements in student success.

Photos by Ryan Noone