Awards & Recognition Committee
The Awards and Recognition Committee strives to recognize the good work accomplished by housing professionals in the state of Georgia. Recipients are recognized each year at the Annual Georgia Housing Officers (GHO) Conference. The 2023 Award nominiatons have ended, but please consider submitting an award for 2024. If you have any questions email georgiahousingofficers@gmail.com.
Awards Nomination Form
Excellence in Housing Award
This award will be given to an individual who is currently employed as a housing/residence life professional at a college or university within the state of Georgia, and has served in housing or residence life throughout their career. This person should demonstrate a successful career in housing through their dedication to their position; their ability to positively impact the lives of students and staff; and their significant contributions to the local institution and housing profession through service at the state, regional, and/or national levels.
2023 Excellence in Housing –
Outstanding Professional Award
The nominee for this award should have served for four or more years to housing or residence life. This award will recognize the individual’s outstanding contribution to housing or residence life though their ability to positively impact the professional and personal development of students and staff; their significant contributions to the local institution demonstrated by research, innovative programs or services, or a related activity which is above and beyond their normal position expectations; and their active, contributing membership and service to the profession through service at the state, regional, and/or national levels.
2023 Outstanding Professional Award – Andrew Pasch, Georgia Institute of Technology
Vickie Hawkins Outstanding New Professional Award
This award is to be presented to a new professional in housing or residence life who is within their first three years of full-time, professional housing or residence life employment. The nominee should demonstrate outstanding performance to his or her campus and profession as well as exhibit potential for a successful career in housing or residence life.
2023 Vickie Hawkins Outstanding New Professional Award – Trint Benefield, Mercer University
Graduate Assistant Award of Excellence
This award recognizes a graduate assistant in housing or residence life that has made a significant contribution to the residence hall students and the housing organization at a GHO-member institution.
2023 Graduate Assistant Award of Excellence – Chyna Anderson, Georgia Southern University
Georgia Gee Whiz Award
This award will recognize and honor excellence for an innovative program, project, or service sponsored by a housing or residence life department during the past year. The nominated program or initiative will demonstrate improvement in the quality of life for students, the efficiency in the department, and/or the effectiveness in service delivery.
2023 Georgia Gee Whiz – Academic Success Seminar, Middle Georgia State University
Contribution to Campus Award
This award recognizes a housing/residence life staff member who has provided meritorious service to their institution by supporting its goal of serving students beyond their departmental job responsibilities. This can include collaborative projects, committee work, and other efforts that promote a supportive learning environment. This staff member should demonstrate support to other campus departments, activities, and staff members at their institution.
2023 Contribution To Campus Award Recipient - The Graduate Assistant Placement Program GAPP, Georgia Southern University
Outstanding Support Staff Member Award
This award will be presented to an individual who is employed in a support role, either in his or her institution’s housing organization, or in another department that regularly provides support to the housing organization. This person will, in some capacity, demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that students at their institution are residing in halls that are comfortable, well maintained, affordable, and secure, all while providing great customer service.
2023 Outstanding Support Staff Member – Bianca Colbert, Georgia Institute of Technology