Marsha Norvell Wins Top Student Affairs Award in State

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Marsha Norvell, left, with Ashley Buchman, ArSAA outgoing president, and Dan Mabry, incoming ArSAA president.

The Division of Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas has the top student affairs staff member in the state. Marsha Norvell, administrative assistant to the vice provost for student affairs, has been awarded the Mossie J. Richmond Jr. Outstanding Leadership Award by the Arkansas Student Affairs Association.

This award recognizes outstanding student affairs leaders from Arkansas who have made significant contributions to student affairs and the association.

"Marsha is the true embodiment of what student affairs should be. She seeks to create opportunities for students and cares for them when they struggle," said Brad Patterson, interim vice provost for student affairs and dean of students at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. "It is rare that there is a unanimous decision for an award such as this one, but everyone was in agreement that it should be Marsha Norvell."

"Marsha is one of the most selfless and giving people I have ever met," said Patterson, who has known Norvell since 2009. "She genuinely cares for others and lives to serve. She does not seek personal glorification and is sincerely happy to see others succeed. She has been the heart of the organization as long as I have been involved and I am better for having known her."

Norvell has been on staff at the University of Arkansas since 1989, and has been in her current position supporting the vice provost for student affairs for 25 of those years.

"I'm really blown away by this recognition," Norvell said. "I have had excellent mentors and worked with wonderful people in Student Affairs over the years here at the University of Arkansas. So, I've had great examples and really worked with the best in the field."

Mary Alice Serafini, assistant vice provost for student affairs at the University of Arkansas, has worked with Norvell for 24 years.

"Every student is important to Marsha. She goes out of her way not only to help them but follows up with each student to make their experience meaningful," Serafini, said. "As the coordinator of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program at the University of Arkansas, Marsha is the key to the success of the fellows with coordination of internships, workshops, conferences and opportunities on and off campus."

Norvell is in good company winning this award. Past winners include many with the title of doctor, including 2006 winner Lonnie Williams, associate vice chancellor for student affairs at Arkansas State University.

"Many of the past recipients have been at the vice chancellor's level, which makes Marsha's award even more special," said Williams, who has known Norvell for more than 20 years. He worked with her when he was the assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Arkansas.

"Marsha has been an outstanding staff member at the U of A, a great resource for all of the professionals there as well as the students who have crossed her path," Williams said.

"As a volunteer, she was an invaluable resource to the executive team and organization in the planning and logistics of the annual ArSAA meeting held in Northwest Arkansas three years ago. Her service led to her being selected as a Member at Large and she continued to give outstanding service to the organization as it went through a separation from the national organization, a name change, new constitution, and planning of the past two annual conferences." Williams said. "Whether you are a student or a professional, she is very approachable." 

Ashley Buchman, dean of retention and student success at ASU-Newport, has served with Norvell in the ArSAA in several different roles since 2009.

"Marsha is one of the most genuine and caring individuals I have had the privilege of knowing. In addition to her kindness, she is extremely valuable to the student affairs profession in Arkansas," Buchman said "Her experiences and desire to help others make her the perfect recipient of the award. I am proud to not only call her my colleague but my friend as well."