We are only able to do the incredible work we do in Student Affairs thanks to the incredible humans in our Division. Our staff makes an impact every day on the lives of our students, on our campus at large, and outside of UC Berkeley.
We are grateful to each and every staff member who is a part of our community.
Do you know of a staff member who has provided an exemplary contribution to our Division? You can also nominate them for a UC Berkeley SPOT Award. This year, Student Affairs submissions close on April 15, 2026.
Staff awards
Congratulations as well to our staff who have won awards (both collective and individual) this past year.
2026 Awards
EduLedger Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs
Congratulations to our entire Division of Student Affairs for making the 2026 list of The EduLedger’s Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs! This designation recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to cultivating supportive, just, and sustainable work environments for student affairs professionals.
Excellence in Management Awards
- Colleen Conniff, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Dan Bakley, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Jake Jerzy, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Layla Naranjo, Student Affairs (People and Administrative Services)
Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards
- Aimee Jacques, Benefits Representative Supervisor, Insurance Case Coordinator, Trans Care Team Insurance Coordinator, University Health Services
- Dawn Howard: Financial Analyst 4, Student Affairs / Recreation and Wellbeing and University Health Services
- Tess Hanson: Director of Campus Activity & Major Events, ASUC Student Union
2025 Awards
2025 UC Berkeley Excellence in Management Awards
- Amy Weissenbacher
- Cathy Kodama
- James Collins
- Jennifer Siecienski
- Jeremy Brooks
- Kerry Franzetta
- Sunny Lee
2025 Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards
- Annie Hope, Physician, University Health Services
- Bridget Mearns Bucey, Assistant Director for Leadership and Engagement, Residential Life
- James Kato, Assistant Dean of Student and Director, Dean of Students
- Shannen Casey, Sustainability Manager for Residential Student Services, Housing & Dining
- Sharon Daraphonhdeth, Director, Student Environmental Resource Center
2025 Excellence in Advising & Student Services Awards
- Equity Champion(s)
- Revae Contreras & Jesselle Hoque, Assistant Directors for Engineering & Physical Sciences, Berkeley Career Engagement
- Outstanding Advisor or Student Service Professional
- Andrea Silas, Senior Financial Aid Counselor & Basic Needs Center Liaison, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Anita Adams, Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship Program Advisor, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
- Miguel Avila, Berkeley Hope Scholars & EOP Program Financial Aid Counselor, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
2025 Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) Awards
- Jed Lee, Student Environmental Resource Center
Submissions
If your staff member has won a campus, professional association, or work-related award, and you’d like to see it mentioned here, please reach out to sacommunications@berkeley.edu.