Staff Awards

The Peter Durkee Super Star Award

Dr. Durkee served as the division's senior officer for 25 years and during that time his support for student services--such as career development and student wellness--made a significant impact on the University. This support and many additional actions have contributed to the success of thousands of Southern Miss students. The Peter Durkee Super Star Award recognizes an employee within the Division of Student Affairs for significant contributions to the mission and realization of the vision.

The Joe Paul Rising Star Award

Dr. Joe Paul began his student affairs career in 1976 as Assistant Director for the R.C. Cook Student Union and was quickly promoted to roles including Dean of Student and Vice President for Student Affairs. The Joe Paul Rising Star Award recognizes new employees who, like the award's namesake, also have hit the ground running by displaying exemplary efforts toward advancing the division's mission and vision through our values of Civility, Education, Engagement, Integrity, and Wellness. All DSA full-time employees hired within the last two years are eligible for nomination.

Student Affairs Champions

This commendation celebrates excellent work and dedication from the Division’s office administrators & technicians and facility maintenance & housekeeping personnel. In addition to demonstrating outstanding customer service, efficiency, and consistency in their work, those nominated for this award will contribute to positive environments for colleagues and students with whom they interact. In short, these individuals help make Southern Miss a place people want to be.

Distinguished Friends of Student Affairs

Student Affairs interacts with partners across the university as well as in local, regional, and national communities. A Distinguished Friend of Student Affairs will be a partner whose dedication or contribution to divisional or departmental missions is especially significant and deserving of recognition. Only those who are not employed within the division are eligible for this distinction.

Eagle Exchange

In order to celebrate marketing campaigns across campus, the Southern Miss Marketing Committee has created the Eagle Exchange awards. Participating faculty/staff may either submit a campaign as an individual or as a collective group. The top three winners/groups of winners will be chosen by impartial judges based on their campaign meeting the highest standards of research, planning, implementation, evaluation, and creativity.