Utah State University brought home two of the four awards presented at the 2011 NASPA Conference at Westminster College. Dr. Robert Schmidt was presented with the Outstanding Faculty Award and Aggie Blue Bikes was honored with the Innovative New Program Award. Conference attendees included student affairs administrators from Utah’s higher education institutions.
Dr. Schmidt has been a faculty member at USU since 1991 in the College of Natural Resources and has also been serving as USU’s Service-Learning Coordinator within the Student Involvement and Leadership Center since 2005. Dr. Schmidt was recognized for ability to carry out these dual roles on the USU campus.
Linda Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, commented that:
“Students greatly appreciate Robert’s commitment in advising them on a personal level, so as to meet each individual’s unique needs. He is a true advocate for student success in all facets of a higher education institution. Robert also gives room for students to learn from their mistakes as he gives guidance and encouragement.”
Aggie Blue Bikes has been a program within the Utah Conservation Corps since fall of 2005. Since its founding, Aggie Blue Bikes has grown its fleet of free checkout bicycles from 20 to 160 bicycles.В In 2010, Aggie Blue Bikes loaned 160 bicycles that were ridden over 32,000 miles by 856 students. Last year it also helped 2,081 USU students maintain their bicycles with student tool boards. Utah Conservation Corps Director Sean Damitz accepted the award on behalf of program founder Adam Christensen and Aggie Blue Bikes AmeriCorps members.
NASPA, student affairs administrators in higher education, is the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy and practice and affirms the commitment of student affairs to educating the whole student and integrating student life and learning. With over 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the largest professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty and graduate students. NASPA members are committed to serving college students by embracing the core values of diversity, learning, integrity, collaboration, access, service, fellowship, and the spirit of inquiry.