Honors & RecognitionHelp us celebrate excellence across the SoACE community. SoACE Awards recognize outstanding contributions by individual members and organizations. Self-nominations are encouraged. 2026 SoACE AwardsRecognize a colleague, organization, or outstanding member of the SoACE community by submitting a nomination. Submit a NominationSoACE AwardsNew Professional Imaginative Spirit Graduate Student Southern Star Founders Honorary Lifetime Servant Leader
Award DescriptionsNew Professional AwardAwarded each year to one employer member and one college member. Recipients are selected by the Board based upon nominations solicited, vetted and recommended by the Awards Committee. The New Professional Award may be presented to SoACE members with no more than five years of experience in the profession who have demonstrated significant contributions to career services and/or recruitment. It is meant to recognize “future leaders” within the association. Contribution may be to the association, a state association, NACE, or through direct activities as a part of their normal employment. These activities must show innovation, reflect foresight, and display promise that the individual has the unique quality of future leadership. Current board members are not eligible to receive this award. Imaginative Spirit AwardThe Imaginative Spirit Award may be presented to a college or employer member, which can be for an individual, team or office, to recognize their contributions towards the implementation of a unique and creative approach relevant to student/alumni programming, advising, employer/university relations, recruiting and/or training. The purpose for this award is to uphold high standards of excellence in support of student/alumni/employer/university engagement, to encourage and reward creativity in our profession and to recognize and share best practices. Current board members are not eligible to receive this award. Graduate Student of the Year AwardStarted in 2021, the Graduate Student Award may be presented to any full-time graduate student who is completing or has completed a graduate assistantship, practicum, or internship with a university career services office. The recipient does not have to be a current member of SoACE and may have graduated or finished the work experience by the time of nomination. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge outstanding contribution to a university career services office or to the association during the term of the student's assistantship, practicum, or internship and to recognize this individual as an upcoming leader in the field. These contributions must have occurred, at least in part, during the calendar year in which the student is nominated and must exemplify one or more of these competencies: critical thinking, creative problem solving, leadership, teamwork, or innovative use of technology. Southern Star AwardAwarded at the Board's discretion based upon nominations solicited, vetted and recommended by the Awards Committee. The Southern Star Award may be presented to a person or persons to recognize significant and outstanding contributions to the profession, to society, or to SoACE. The Southern Star Award is a prestigious recognition of service and contributions exceeded only in significance within SoACE by the Founders Award. The Southern Star Award may be given to a college or employer representative. The recipient does not have to be, or have been, a member of SoACE, SWACE or SACE, but must have made notable or sustained contributions to one of the associations or to the profession. Recipients must have made a major and significant contribution to the career services and recruiting profession or had a sustained impact on SoACE, SWACE or SACE over a period of time. Nominations will be solicited by the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will make recommendations to the Board, which will consider nominees for recognition using the procedures established by the Awards Committee. Current board members are not eligible to receive this award. Founders AwardSoACE's most prestigious award. Presented only when the Board of Directors determines there is a deserving recipient. Awarded at the Board’s discretion based upon nominations solicited, vetted and recommended by the Awards Committee. The Founders Award is considered the most prestigious award SoACE can bestow on one of its members. It is not an annual award. The award may be presented to a current or former member of SoACE, including former SACE and SWACE members, who has made notable and significant contributions with distinguished achievement to the Association, the profession of career services and recruitment. To be considered, an individual must have been active and contributed in the development of programs, held leadership roles in the Association for a considerable number of years, contributed in an innovative way to the development of the profession, authored publications of a creditable nature, and/or otherwise represented the Association in an exemplary manner. Current board members are not eligible to receive this award. Honorary Lifetime Membership AwardAwarded at the Board's discretion. This is not an annual award. Honorary Life Membership is awarded to individuals who have made notable and significant contributions to the Association over the course of their active membership in SoACE, SACE or SWACE. To be considered, an individual must have been active in SoACE, SACE or SWACE for at least five years and must no longer be eligible for active membership in the association because of retirement, job transition, or other similar reasons. Honorary Life Members are accorded all the rights and privileges of active members except eligibility to vote on Association business matters or to hold office; however, Honorary Life Members may hold committee membership, be eligible to serve as committee chairs, and serve on committees in an ex-officio capacity. There is no annual membership fee for Honorary Life Membership; however, Honorary Life Membership must be renewed annually. New Honorary Life Members are provided a complimentary conference registration the year in which they are officially recognized and receive discounted conference registration thereafter. All SWACE and SACE Honorary Life Members retain their Honorary Life Memberships in SoACE as long as they renew this membership annually. Servant Leader AwardAwarded at the Board's discretion. The Board of Directors may recognize an individual that embodies the true spirit of the servant leader demonstrated by service beyond the call of duty to the association. Characteristics of servant leaders include such things as empathetic listening, awareness of needs, an ability to positively influence others, foresight, good stewardship, and a commitment to growth of professionals. Current board members are not eligible to receive this award. 2026 Awards CommitteeThank you to the following members for serving on the 2026 Awards Committee:
Past Award RecipientsCelebrating the individuals and organizations recognized by SoACE throughout the years. Founders Award2025: Norma Guerra Gaier, Washington University in St. Louis Honorary Lifetime Award2025: Curt Schafer, Texas State University Southern Star Award2025: Scott Williams, University of Georgia (Retired) President's Award2025: Tracy Austin, Clemson University New Professional Award2025: Oluwajoba (Joba) Obediran, University of Miami Champion of Diversity Award2024: Chelsea Wesnofske, University of Georgia Mosaic Award2024: Pisgah Legal Services Imaginative Spirit Award2025: Cheryl Rotyliano, Wake Forest University Servant Leader Award2025: Antonella Valdivia, Vanderbilt University Graduate Student of the Year Award2025: Candice Kelly, Auburn University Emerging Leaders Certificate2011: 2009: 2008: Additional RecognitionPresident's AwardAwarded annually at the sitting President’s discretion. President's Awards recognize individuals or organizations that have distinguished themselves by their service to the Association in ways of particular significance to the President during his/her tenure in office. Recipients are not subject to the vote or approval of the Board of Directors. Board & Committee Chair AwardAt the conclusion of their year of service, each member of the Board of Directors and each Committee Chair will be recognized by the President and the Association with an award, the nature and form of which will be determined by the President in consultation with the Awards Committee and in line with resources budgeted to support this recognition. Certificates of AppreciationAwarded annually at the sitting President’s discretion. A Certificate of Appreciation may be presented to a member of the Association, to any person actively engaged in career services or recruitment, or to an organization which has made a notable contribution to the field of career services and recruitment, provided outstanding service to the Association, or completed assignments of special significance to the Association. Certificates of Appreciation are presented upon the recommendation of the President and approval by the Board of Directors. |
