Award Guidelines

The Professional of the Year Award was first given in 1990 by the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers. In 1992 the program was revised to recognize the Outstanding New Professional and the member making the Outstanding Contribution to VACUHO. Additionally, VACUHO service awards were made available so that each institution may recognize one staff member who represents superior performances in support of housing/residence life endeavors on campus.

General Information
Nominations for VACUHO Awards for Professional Excellence are being accepted for presentation and recognition at the annual conference. ANY member of the organization may nominate a fellow member for the Outstanding Professional, New Professional, or Contribution to VACUHO awards.

Please write a letter of nomination and provide information detailing the supporting criteria for each nomination. Your name, position, institution, and contact phone number should be provided.

Questions regarding the nomination process can be directed to Greg Nayor.

• Must be currently employed (at time of award presentation) at a post-secondary institution in Virginia. Exception to this would be if the individual has retired from his/her position since the previous conference.
• Must have worked in housing/residence life profession for a minimum of five (5) years.
• Must demonstrate leadership in one or more of the following areas:

  • Implementation of creative programs
  • Supervision/development of staff
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Mentoring new professionals, para-professionals, fellow employees, and colleagues
• Professional involvement in appropriate regional, state, national organization (SEAHO, ACUHO-I, NASPA, VASPA, ACPA, APPA, National Executive Housekeepers Assoc., etc.)
• Must demonstrate and support ethical principles and standards for College and University Student Housing Professionals.

• Must have worked in housing/residence life capacity for four (4) years or less in a full-time role. Work experience is not restricted to work within the state of Virginia, but most recent work must be at a post-secondary institution within Virginia.
• Must demonstrate achievement in one or more of the following areas:

  • Portrays examples of outstanding performance
  • Provides leadership in development and implementing new services or programs
  • Demonstrates commitment to professional standards, as represented by ACUHO-I statements
  • Actively pursues continued professional development
  • Engages in activity that is creative, unique, or innovative.

Must be a currently enrolled graduate or doctoral student at a Virginia Institution.

Must have demonstrated involvement in one or more of the following areas during their graduate or doctoral studies:

• Must be a member of VACUHO, having been employed in a housing/residence life capacity at a post-secondary institution in Virginia for more than 12 months.
• Must have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the VACUHO organization through one or more of the following:

  • Participation on committees
  • Attendance at VACUHO events/representation of organization at other professional meetings
  • Demonstrated leadership in housing/residence life field
  • Innovated practices to promote professional development of VACUHO colleagues

Chief Housing Officers at each college and university are encouraged to nominate one staff member per school to receive an award for service excellence. When deemed appropriate, this nomination can represent superior performance of either a housing/residence life staff member OR a representative from the larger campus community who has been supportive of the housing/residence life endeavors on the campus.

Recognition will be provided in the annual conference program and a certificate will be provided for the Chief Housing Officer to present the individual.

At the annual conference, recognition will be given in the program and by certificate to each member who has retired since the previous conference. Chief Housing Officers are encouraged to provide names, positions, retirement date and length of service. This recognition is for any staff member working in a full-time capacity within a housing/residence life program.