Annual SACL Staff Awards
The annual Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff Awards at UC San Diego are designed to encourage Student Affairs and Campus Life team members and close campus partners to showcase their work, celebrate each other, and recognize the creativity and student-centered innovation that consistently emanates from our division.
Winners will be announced at the Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff Awards on October 27, 2026.
As with all of our work in Student Affairs and Campus Life, the Staff Awards are based on the pillars of the 2024-29 Strategic Plan, EDI Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence, and the EVC's Collective Impact Initiative.
Nominations Now Open
We want to hear who went above and beyond to be a Strategic Plan superstar!
Nominate a team, yourself, or a colleague for the 2026 Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff Awards by Friday, July 31 at 5 p.m.
2026 Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff Awards
The annual Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff & Campus Partner Awards nomination period is open now through July 31! The awards are designed for SACL team members and our campus partners to showcase our creative and student-centered work, celebrate each other, and reflect on the fun and joy we fostered on campus throughout the year.
Nominations are due by Friday, July 31, at 5PM.
Winners will be announced at our 2026 Fall All-Staff Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 27, alongside the campuswide Student Centeredness Awards. For any additional questions, please reach out to sa-assessment@ucsd.edu.
Awards will be presented to inpiduals and teams from the categories below, which highlight the 2024-29 SACL Strategic Plan and UC San Diego's Collective Impact initiative.
Resourceful Resilience "Sustainable Success Award"
Achieved measurable, student‑focused impact by maximizing resources through creative solutions that ensure long‑term program viability and student success.
Technological Empowerment “Digital Vanguard Award"
Pioneered innovative, data‑driven technologies that expand access, personalize support, and streamline services to elevate the UC San Diego student experience.
Inclusive Belonging “Bridge Builder Award"
Created meaningful connections and structural improvements across departments, initiatives, and communities to break down barriers, foster holistic growth, and enhance student outcomes.
Communal Responsibility “Civic Catalyst Award"
Mobilized campus in public service, civic engagement, and/or transparency efforts geared towards lasting, responsible, and comprehensive change that strengthens communities.
Additional Awards Titles and Categories (One Winner Per Category)
Community Partnership “Team Player Award"
Developed, engaged, and sustained purposeful and meaningful partnerships that reimagine student centeredness.
Faculty Experiential Learning Champion Award
Honors faculty who championed experiential learning inside and outside the classroom through learner-centered teaching practices. Mentored students through academic internships, promoted active learning and co-curricular leadership development.
Unsung Hero Award
Delivers exceptional, behind‑the‑scenes support that keeps Student Affairs and Campus Life running smoothly, demonstrating steadfast dedication and impact on student success without seeking the spotlight.
Student Centeredness Award
The new Student Centeredness Award will honor those who go above and beyond to put students first, innovate in their approaches, and champion diversity, equity and inclusion across our campus.
Past Recipients
2025 Student Affairs Staff Awards Recipients
View Photos of the 2025 Staff Awards Ceremony
Resourceful Resilience “Sustainable Success Award" 2025
Achieved measurable, student‑focused impact by maximizing resources through creative solutions that ensure long‑term program viability and student success.
- Sam McLaughlin, Campus Performances and Events Office (CPEO)
- CSI Student Organization Advising Team
Technological Empowerment “Digital Vanguard Award" 2025
Pioneered innovative, data‑driven technologies that expand access, personalize support, and streamline services to elevate the UC San Diego student experience.
- Isaac Brandl, Recreation
- Events Calendar Campus Activation Project Team
Inclusive Belonging “Bridge Builder Award" 2025
Created meaningful connections and structural improvements across departments, initiatives, and communities to break down barriers, foster holistic growth, and enhance student outcomes.
- Christina Medina-Ramirez, Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS)
- Maria Carmen Gonzalez, Basic Needs Program Coordinator and Beatriz Chavez Vega, Food Programs Coordinator, The Hub Basic Needs Center
Communal Responsibility “Civic Catalyst Award" 2025
Mobilized campus in public service, civic engagement, and/or transparency efforts geared towards lasting, responsible, and comprehensive change that strengthens communities.
- Breana Clark, Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) Advisor, Student Government, Auxiliaries, and Services
- The Hub Basic Needs Center Team
Additional Awards Titles and Categories (One Winner Per Category)
Community Partnership “Team Player Award" 2025
Developed, engaged, and sustained purposeful and meaningful partnerships that reimagine student centeredness.
- Claudia Martinez, Raza Resource Centro
- Max Reinke, Global Initiatives
*New* The Unsung Hero Award 2025
Delivers exceptional, behind‑the‑scenes support that keeps Student Affairs and Campus Life running smoothly, demonstrating steadfast dedication and impact on student success without seeking the spotlight.
- Nicolette Solarez, Student Government, Auxiliaries, and Services
2024 Student Affairs Staff Awards Recipients
View Photos of the 2024 Staff Awards CeremonyStudent Experience "Student First Award 2024"
Generated a student-centered transformation to maximize our vibrant and engaging community through partnerships with the Undergraduate Colleges and the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.
- Triton Transfer Hub
- Shelly Taskin, International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)
Student Success "Student Advocate Award 2024"
Inspired students to discover meaningful connections, explore their interests, and participate in co-curricular experiences while pursuing their degrees in a timely manner.
- Recreation Events Management Team
- Maricela Alvarado, Online Student Experience
Well-Being "Triton Health Award 2024" Cultivated an environment of well-being that empowers our campus community to establish and sustain healthy practices.
- Hazing Prevention Committee Coalition
- Longest Table Team
Inclusion and Equity "Equity Matters Award 2024"
Advanced an inclusive culture and equitable practices and outcomes.
- Commitments Subcommittee
- Dayan Castañeda Muñoz, Undocumented Student Services
Community Partnership "Team Player Award 2024"
Developed, engaged, and sustained purposeful and meaningful partnerships that reimagine student centeredness.
- University Centers Team
- Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education (SAGE)
Collective Impact "Erasing the Opportunity Gap 2024"
An initiative that leveraged and enhanced the disparate mentoring, training, and support systems at UC San Diego that have jointly improved the experience, climate, and performance for all of our students, staff, and faculty.
- Mentoring for All Committee
- CalFresh Team
2023 Student Affairs Staff Awards Recipients
View Photos of the 2023 Staff Awards Ceremony
Student Experience "Student First Award 2023"
- Nic Alonzo, Campus Events
- Andra Jacques, Global Initiatives
Student Success "Student Advocate Award 2023"
- Jay Minert, Study Abroad
- Outback Adventures, Recreation
- Berenice Jau, OASIS
Well-Being "Triton Health Award 2023"
- Triton CORE Team
- Tiffany Healy, Recreation
Inclusion and Equity "Equity Matters Award 2023"
- Charity Anderson, Athletics
- SRS Strategic Plan Team
Community Partnership "Team Player Award 2023"
- Silvia Marquez, Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Cat Lettieri, College Corps
Collective Impact Award "Erasing the Opportunity Gap 2023"
- Undergraduate Research Hub
- Juanita Razo Dueñas, Student Success Programs
- NPHC Plaza Development Team
2022 Student Affairs Staff Awards Recipients
View Photos of the 2022 Staff Awards Ceremony
Student Experience "Student First Award 2022"
- Triton Esports Center Team, Recreation
- Tessa Opperman, Recreation
Student Success "Student Advocate Award 2022"
- Study Abroad Advising Team, Global Initiatives
- Andy Hoffman, Center for Student Involvement
Well-Being "Triton Health Award 2022"
- COVID-19 Specialist Team, Student Affairs Case Management
- Kia Neri, University Centers
Inclusion and Equity "Equity Matters Award 2022"
- ART of Inclusive Communication Workgroup, Center for Student Involvement
- Jessica Ison, VCSA Human Resources
Community Partnership "Team Player Award 2022"
- APIMED Symposium Committee
- Adam Weaver, University Centers
Collective Impact Award "Erasing the Opportunity Gap 2022"
- Assessment, Evaluation, and Organizational Development, VCSA Office
- The Hub Basic Needs Center, Student Life
2021 Student Affairs Staff Awards Recipients
Student Experience "Student First Award 2021"
- University Centers (Operations, Custodial, Maintenance), Student Life
- University Events Office, Student Life
Student Success "Student Advocate Award 2021"
- Grace Fuller, International Students & Programs Office
- Transfer Peer Coaches, Student Retention & Success
Well-Being "Triton Health Award 2021"
- Vaccine Site Team, Recreation
- Ana Bowens, Case Management Services
Inclusion and Equity "Equity Matters Award 2021"
- CASP Team, Student Retention & Success
- James Galvin, Study Abroad
Community Partnership "Team Player Award 2021"
- Ruth Newmark, Friends of the International Center
- Student Conduct Office
Collective Impact Award "Erasing the Opportunity Gap 2021"
- Students with Dependents Team, Case Management Services
- Summer Bridge Team, Student Retention & Success
Staff Awards History
The annual awards program was originally implemented during the 2020-21 academic year in order to acknowledge the exceptional work of our team members in advancing our strategic plan and to recognize our community and campus partners.
Contact
If you have questions about the Student Affairs and Campus Life Staff Awards, please contact sa-assessment@ucsd.edu.