Don Stansberry
By Sherry DiBari
Don Stansberry, interim vice president for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services (SEES), has won the Dynamic SSOA (Senior Student Affairs Officer) Newcomer Award from the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU).
The award, launched last year, honors the work of SSOAs within APLU's council membership. Founded in 1887, the APLU is North America's oldest higher education association with member institutions in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico.
According to an APLU press release, the award recognizes a demonstrated record of dynamic leadership at their institution and profession; innovation and dedication to role; and evidence of involvement, leadership and scholarly endeavors.
The article highlighted Stansberry's recent student outreach initiative to ensure that students wouldn't slip through the cracks during COVID-19. The initiative resulted in more than 350 staff members making phone calls to nearly 20,000 new and returning students.
"Dr. Stansberry is a champion for students who need it most: individuals from low-income families, underrepresented minorities and first-generation students," Augustine O. Agho, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Old Dominion, wrote in the nomination letter. "What I am most impressed with is Dr. Stansberry's scholarly endeavors on top of his administrative role. His work as an administrator and as a scholar in promoting access, affordability and completion of all students is truly remarkable."
A virtual award presentation will be held on Dec. 10.
