Student Affairs Representatives Honored With Awards

Two staff members and two students of the University of Arkansas took top honors at the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Regional Conference in November in Lincoln, Nebraska. University of Arkansas honorees were: PJ Martinez, who received the New Professional Rising Star Award; Kristin Wyninegar, who received the Graduate Student Rising Star; Yvonne Dominguez, who received the Undergraduate Rising Star Award; and Felisha Perrodin, who won the NASPA Undergraduate Fellowship (NUFP) Champion Award.

The NUFP Champion Award is presented to an individual who has served as a champion for students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised populations by hosting programs, providing professional development opportunities, or supporting other activities that advance campus, regional, or national NUFP initiatives. Perrodin, who is the university's assistant director for resident education said she was honored to receive the award and that she has had the opportunity to work with some amazing students in the NUFP program over the years.

"The NUFP program has created opportunities for these students to explore student affairs as a profession and I have enjoyed being able to engage with these students on their student affairs journey," Perrodin said. "I try to stay in contact with our former NUFP fellows and summer interns so that I can see the amazing work they are doing as professionals."

 The Rising Star Professional Award is presented to a full-time Division of Student Affairs employee, who has worked three years or less and has made significant contributions to his or her campus.  Martinez, who is an academic outreach specialist for the College Access Initiative at the university's Center for Multicultural Diversity Education, said he was honored by his colleagues' nomination.

"Without their everyday help and support, this award would not have been possible," he said. Martinez also credited his success to his students. "They teach me to have joy, patience, and the importance of a listening ear.They definitely make my job fun!"

Martinez said he had dreamed of winning the award since graduate school and said it was made more special because it was awarded in the location where he had received his undergraduate degree.

"NASPA is an excellent opportunity for professionals in the career to hear about successes from other colleagues throughout the country, and it allows for attendees to bring successful programs to their own universities," Martinez said. "NASPA is an organization I hope to partake in for the rest of my career."

The Graduate Student Rising Star Award is presented to a student who is pursuing a masters of doctoral degree related to student affairs at a college or university within the NASPA Region IV-West. Campus Life Graduate Assistant, Kristin Wyninegar, who received the award, said it reflected her graduate school experience at the university.

"For me, the award represents not only my journey, but the support I have received, "Wyninegar said.  "As a graduate student and simply a human in society, there will always be challenges.It is critical to have a support system that not only challenges you to be the best version of yourself but one which celebrates you on good days, vents with you on bad days and inspires you all the time." 

The recipient of the Undergraduate Rising Star Award is Yvonne Dominguez. This honor is presented to an undergraduate student actively involved with the Division of Student Affairs who intends to pursue a student affairs-related degree. Dominguez, who wants to be a student affairs outreach specialist/academic advisor, would like to work with minority communities to assist getting them into college and keeping them there. She said winning the award gave her additional encouragement in pursuing those goals.

"Going to the NASPA conference reminded me of the many great reasons why I'd love working in higher education—to make a change," Dominguez said. She is currently participating in the National Undergraduate Fellow Program within NASPA.

Formerly known as the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, NASPA was founded in 1918 and is an international organization with over 15,000 members in 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. territories. It is the leading organization for student affairs professionals. Arkansas is a member of the NASPA Region IV-West, one of the most diverse and expansive regions in all of NASPA. It also includes the states of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.