Past Recipients

Congratulations to all of the past recipients of the Laurel Awards for the Division of Student Affairs and thank you to all for your hard work and dedication to the University of Miami!

Staff Awards

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  • Outstanding Job Performance

    • 2023: Kimberly Martin, Counseling Center
    • 2022: Alejandro "Alex" Castañeda, Housing & Residential Life; Reichard Burse, Housing & Residential Life; Ronald Wabomnor, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2020: Ulda Cher, Housing & Residential Life; Kelly Hui, Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2019: Shadonay Davis, Housing & Residential Life; Mike Piacentino, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2018: Christina WooChing, Wellness & Recreation; Pedro Rodriguez, Counseling Center; Daniel Atherton, Office of the Vice President
    • 2017: Leslie Leonard, Student Life; Frances Cabrisas, Student Center Complex
    • 2016: Michael Baumhardt, Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2015: Matthew Barnes, Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement; Suelyn Chong, Counseling Center
    • 2014: Jeremy Bourgoin, Housing & Residence Life; Cristina Orbeta, Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement/Butler Center for Service & Leadership
    • 2013: Ernesto Escoto, Counseling Center; Maria Acosta, Housing & Residental Life
    • 2012: Claudia Arias-Cirinna, Dean of Students; Elena Fajardo, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2011: Edward Cruz, Toppel Career Center; Lexi Matiash, Commencement
    • 2010: Leyla Al-Mansoori, Housing & Residence Life; Tracy Yoseff, Housing & Residence Life
    • 2009: Ricardo Hall, Dean of Students Office; Karen Fernandez, Toppel Career Center
    • 2008: Markus Ulmer, Toppel Career Center; Patricia Peña, Housing & Residence Life
    • 2007: Hossiella Longoria, Counseling Center; Marni Temples, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2006: Christian Garcia, Toppel Career Center; Eddie Rimblas, University Center
    • 2005: Norm Parsons, Wellness Center; Chris Booth, Wellness Center
    • 2004: Patricia Swift, Wellness Center; Mary Ortiz, University Center
    • 2003: Danny Diaz, Wellness Center; Francisco Bulfango, Wellness Center
    • 2002: Alan Rose, Wellness Center; Christine Ferras, Dean of Students Office
    • 2001: Steve Spann, Wellness Center; Maria Santana, Health Center
    • 2000: Jon Baldessari, Housing and Residential Life; Gayle Sheeder, Dean of Students Office
    • 1999: Pamela Deroian, Counseling Center; Keith Savage, Wellness Center
    • 1998: James Smart, Residence Halls; Lorraine Miller, Wellness Center

  • Exceptional Work with Students

    • 2023: Kennedy Robinson, Multicultural Student Affairs
    • 2022: Jessica Stinnett, Housing & Residential Life; Brynne Wyatt, Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2020: Alejandro "Alex" Castaneda, Housing and Residential Life; Stephanie Fleitas, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement
    • 2019: Maria Acosta, Housing and Residential Life; Anthoney Kinney, Dean of Students Office
    • 2018: Brittany Brewster, Butler Center for Services and Leadership; Heather Stevens, Office of the Vice President
    • 2017: Alexander Martin, Student Activities and Student Organizations; Christine Stroface, Housing and Residential Life
    • 2016: Nancy Del Pozzo, Dean of Students Office
    • 2015: Cristina Orbeta, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement/Butler Center; Kisha Bazelais, Counseling Center
    • 2014: Gail Cole-Avent, Office of the Vice President; Marena Gavilan, Wellness and Recreation
    • 2013: Kimberly Martin, Counseling Center; Jeannette Remy, Housing and Residence Life
    • 2012: Patty Martely, Housing and Residence Life; Shelley Pamphile, Student Activities and Student Organizations; Steve Priepke, Dean of Students Office
    • 2011: Brian Orefice, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement; Lili Jimenez, Toppel Career Center
    • 2010: Carrie Whiteside, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement; Taneisha Brown, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement
    • 2009: Keith Fletcher, Butler Center for Service and Leadership; Christine Ferras, Dean of Students Office
    • 2008: Nikki Abramson, Dean of Students Office; Dee Magill, Housing & Residence Life
    • 2007: V Chunoo, Toppel Career Center; Charlotte Brumer, Residence Halls; Nora Villegas, Residence Halls
    • 2006: Jenna Stewart, Toppel Career Center ;Cristina Florez, International Student and Scholar Services; Janina Ocon, Student Activities
    • 2005: Kara Miller, Greek Life; Sue O'Malley, Student Life
    • 2004: Azuree Ashby, Butler Volunteer Center; Gloria Cooper, University Center
    • 2003: Nanette Vega, Multicultural Student Affairs; Angela Fletcher, Orientation
    • 2002: Bob Dubord, Residence Halls; Tommy Armentrout, Residence Halls
    • 2001: Chris Locke, Wellness Center; Linda Oglesby, Residence Halls
    • 2000: Cristie Carter, Dean of Students; Aruna Airan, Student Life
    • 1999: Mickey Rubenstein, Butler Volunteer Center; Rose Marie Slusser, Dean of Students

  • Outstanding New Student Affairs Employee

    • 2023: Aidan Wells, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2022: Stephanie Nunez, Multicultural Student Affairs; Catherine Holder, Counseling Center
    • 2020: Kennedy Robinson, Multicultural Student Affairs
    • 2019: Ashley Morning, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement
    • 2018: Dr. Addys Karunaratne, Counseling Center; Joel Sola, Student Center Complex
    • 2017: Dr. Van Bailey, LGBTQ Student Center; Whitney Plazter O’Regan, Dean of Students
    • 2016: Aysha Daniels, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement; Nicole Sanchez, Office of the Vice President
    • 2015: Patricia Arena, Counseling Center
    • 2014: Kathryn Andrade, Student Activities and Student Organizations; Carlos Pelaez
    • 2013: Alexis Cole, Housing and Residence Life; Doris Colon, Office of the Vice President
    • 2012: Danielle Howard, Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement; Elena Fajardo, Wellness and Recreation
    • 2011: Suelyn Chong, Counseling Center; Stephanie Rivas, Office of the Vice President
    • 2010: Frits Bigham, Toppel Career Center
    • 2009: Franklin McCune, Butler Center; Lexi Matiash, Commencement
    • 2008: Brian Orefice, Orientation; Angela Ramos, Wellness Center
    • 2007: Tom Soria, Wellness Center; John Tallon, Wellness Center
    • 2006: Ashley Falcon, Wellness Center; Ninette Arcay, Toppel Career Center
    • 2005: Jennifer Bevilacqua, Butler Volunteer Center; Maricela Camejo, Counseling Center
    • 2004: Dana Ponsky, Orientation; Daphne Mackens, Student Affairs
    • 2003: Keith Fletcher, Residence Halls; Natalie de Rojas, Toppel Career Center
    • 2002: Lisa Boyle, Dean of Students; Lisa Lazarus, Toppel Career Center
    • 2001: Luis Inoa, Residence Halls
    • 2000: Zaneeta Daver, Student Activities; Mabel Rodriguez, Student Affairs

  • The Patricia A. Whitely Student Affairs Enrichment Award

    • 2023: Dr. Joshua Brandfon, Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2022: Scott Levin, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2020: Dr. Ryan Holmes, Dean of Students Office
    • 2019: Andrew Wiemer, Butler Center for Service and Leadership
    • 2018: James G. Smart, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2017: Dr. Jennifer Rau, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
    • 2015: Kathleen Batson, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2014: Rhonda DuBord, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2013: Dr. Patricia A. Whitely, Student Affairs

Departmental Awards

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  • Outstanding Collaborative Initiative

    • 2023: Narcan Training, Dean of Students Office, Wellness & Recreation, and Student Health Services
    • 2022: Cycle Sesh, Student Activities & Student Organizations, Butler Center for Service & Leadership, and Wellness & Recreation; Gender & Sexuality Living & Learning Community, Housing & Residential Life, LGBTQ Student Center, and Gender & Sexuality Studies
    • 2020: 'Canes Clear the Smoke
    • 2019: Residential Leadership Council
    • 2018: Healthy Hump Day: Mental Wellbeing
    • 2017: Theater in Action: Bystander Intervention

  • Outstanding Department Initiative

    • 2023: COPE, Counseling Center
    • 2022: Kick it with Sandler: National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Month, Dean of Students Office
    • 2020: Flu Shot Outreach, Student Health Service
    • 2019: Student Fan Zone, Student Activities and Student Organizations
    • 2018: Students of Color Symposium, Multicultural Student Affairs; Cruise Ship Move-In, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2017: Tunnel of Oppression
    • 2016: Herbert Wellness Center 20th Anniversary Campaign & Celebration, Wellness & Recreation
    • 2015: Student Organization Advisor Workshop Series, Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2014: 'Canes After Dark- Student Activities & Student Organizations
    • 2013: Women's Leadership Symposium, Butler Center for Service & Leadership
    • 2012: 'Canes Care for 'Canes, Office of the Vice President

  • Outstanding Department Initiative (Non-Student Affairs)

    • 2016: 'Canes Summit for Leadership, Diversity, and Social Changes, Multicultural Student Affairs, and Butler Center for Service & Leadership
    • 2015: Toppel Day of Service, Toppel Career Center
    • 2014: College MENtality Program, Multicultural Student Affairs
    • 2013: International Student Initiatives, Toppel Career Center

Student Awards

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  • Undergraduate

    • 2023: Emily Connell, Counseling Center
    • 2022: Julie Erhardt, Undergraduate, Dean of Students Office; Samantha Salvi Cruz, Undergraduate, Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement
    • 2020: Anil Dalling, Undergraduate, Dean of Students Office; Matta Sannoh, Graduate, Dean of Students Office
    • 2019: David Cline, Undergraduate, Housing & Residential Life; Rachel Askowitz, Graduate, Dean of Students Office
    • 2018: Samantha Martin, Graduate, Dean of Students Office; Sabrina Xiao, Undergraduate, Counseling Center; Sterling Jackson, Undergraduate, Dean of Students Office
    • 2017: Sylvia Reyes, Graduate, Student Activities & Student Organizations; Peter Khoury, Undergraduate, Housing & Residential Life
    • 2016: Rachel Ensing, Graduate; Daniel Gomez, Undergraduate
    • 2015: Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Graduate; Nicole Garcia, Undergraduate
    • 2014: Heather Stevens, Graduate; Lorena Guardia, Undergraduate
    • 2013: Michael Stokes, Graduate; Yifan Zhang, Undergraduate
    • 2012: Adam Lynch, Graduate; Jenna Oien, Undergraduate
    • 2011: Samantha Gil, Graduate; Ariel Hernandez, Undergraduate
    • 2010: Gabriella Halder, Graduate; Annette Medina, Undergraduate
    • 2009: Sarah Bouchereau, Undergraduate; Karen Connors, Graduate
    • 2008: Donna Schicler, Undergraduate; Nong Ovathanasin, Graduate
    • 2007: Kenny Nolan, Undergraduate; Martin Cruz-Mesa, Graduate
    • 2006: Julia Gonzalez, Undergraduate
    • 2005: Napolean Santos, Undergraduate; Christopher Doell, Undergraduate
    • 2004: Natasha Garrett, Undergraduate
    • 2003: Leyla Al-Mansoori, Graduate; Fred Galata, Undergraduate

  • Graduate - Daniel J. Watt Community Award

    • 2023: Paola Callejas Flefil, Camner Center for Academic Resources
    • 2022: Victor Rios, Multicultural Student Affairs

Student Affairs Partners

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  • Unsung Hero Award

    • 2022: Dr. Erin Kobetz, Miller School of Medicine
    • 2019: Dean Laura Kohn-Wood, School of Education and Human Development
    • 2018: Micahel Ross, Dining Services-Chartwells
    • 2017: Joanne Brown, Financial Aid
    • 2016: Joe Lortie, University Christian Fellowship
    • 2015: Rusty Clusman, UM Police Department

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