Membership Awards

MASEA proudly recognizes its members for their diverse contributions to the organization and in their roles in administering student employment. Generally awarded at each year's annual conference, the below awards serve as the organization's most prestigious opportunities to recognize outstanding service, unique contributions, representation of the discipline, and innovation.

The call for nominations for each of the below awards will be communicated through the MASEA listserv. To ensure you are on the listserv, contact info@masea.org.

Nominations for 2023 Membership Awards are now closed.

Cherie Lenz Outstanding Service Award

Cherie Lenz was president of the Midwest Association of University Student Employment Directors (MAUSED) at the time of the first national conference on Work and the College Student and on the committee to form a national association in 1975. After the conference, MAUSED became MASEA and, after a few years of cooperative leadership between the national committee and MASEA, the national association was officially founded as NASEA, the National Association of Student Employment Administrators. NASEA later was renamed as NSEA, the National Student Employment Association. Cherie played a pivotal role in the transition from MAUSED to MASEA in 1974-75 and served as the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of Illinois for 35 years.

The recipient of the Cherie Lenz Outstanding Service Award is an individual with at least eight to ten years of service in Student Employment, a long-term leadership record and active membership in MASEA who has provided outstanding contributions to the organization.

Nominations are submitted to the Board of Directors from the general membership via the electronic nomination form. The Board of Directors votes on this recipient. Contact MASEA at info@masea.org to verify a MASEA member's years of service to student employment.

Dan Kreidler Newcomer Award

Dan Kreidler served as MASEA president from 1989-90 while serving as Director of Career Services for Governors State University and was an instrumental leader for MASEA and NSEA. Dan went on to become the Dean of Community and Economic Development for Joliet Junior College in Illinois. Because Mr. Kreidler began his unique service to MASEA the second day on the job, this award is named in his honor and is presented to a newcomer who has given a unique contribution to MASEA within two years of his/her membership.

Nominations are submitted to the Board of Directors from the general membership via the electronic nomination form. The Board of Directors votes on this recipient. Contact MASEA at info@masea.org to verify a nominee's length of MASEA membership.

President's Award

MASEA functions from the contributions of its members and many times members must go above and beyond the call of duty to uphold the mission of the association. The recipient of the President's Award is a member of MASEA who has provided outstanding contributions to MASEA during the President's term of office. The current president selects the recipient of this award.

MASEA Student Employment Administrator of the Year Award

The MASEA Student Employment Administrator of the Year Award is presented to a member for exceptional service to the discipline of student employment as well as providing formal or informal mentorship to MASEA members. The recipient embodies the characteristics, standards, and professional image of student employment professionals by advocating for student employment within their institution and professional associations.

Nominations are submitted to the Board of Directors from the general membership via the electronic nomination form. The MASEA Board of Directors votes on this recipient.

Criteria:

• Successful contribution to the advancement of professionalism in student employment administration in their institution and beyond.
• Delivered excellent service to their team, department or institution as well as MASEA members, whether formally or informally.
• Strengthened the principal values and standards of student employment professionalism and administration.
• Nominee must be a MASEA member.

MASEA Award for Excellence in Innovation

This award is presented to an individual or team in the region that demonstrates a creative or innovative process or best practice that contributes to the overall excellence of the institution's student employment program, services and/or administration and advancement in the field of student employment.

Nominations are submitted to the Board of Directors from the general membership via the electronic nomination form. The Board of Directors votes on this recipient.

Criteria:

• Successful development and implementation of a different approach or a variation of a traditional process, procedure, or practice in one of the functional areas of student employment.
• The successful practice has led to improved performance of the college or university, the unit in which the department resides or, the student employment department; and the achievement has advanced the profession and/or promoted better understanding of student employment administration.
• The successful practice is currently in operation or has been in operation during the past year.
• Nominee must be a MASEA member.