The 2025 SASSIE Awards Recipients
Innovation and Effectiveness Award: Kent Earl
The Innovation and Effectiveness Award celebrates a member of our staff who has demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness when developing a new tool, improved efficiencies and enhanced operations.
Kent Earl is the Assistant Director of Events and Operations with Recreation Services. He has been recognized for his commitment to advancing operational efficiencies within event management. Through innovative process improvements in the EMS reservation system and data-informed decision-making, Kent has significantly enhanced the experience for hundreds of student organizations reserving Rec Center activity spaces and facilitating events. His dedication, organization, and reliable support is why he is this year’s winner of the Innovation and Effectiveness Award.
Better Together Award: Planning, Assessment and Data Analytics and Basic Needs Center
The Better Together Award celebrates 2 or more departments, units, or individuals who work together to share resources, and who inspire growth in our students and staff.
Planning, Assessment and Data Analytics and the Basic Needs Center are recognized today for their commitment to ensuring student success through essential services such as the Buff Pantry, SNAP and Emergency Housing Assistance. Their equity-centered approach and thorough assessment practices have helped increase persistence rates for underrepresented students, demonstrating their dedication to positive systemic change.
Education Award: Mathew Ferguson
The Education Award celebrates one individual or unit who delivers knowledge, teaching new skills and inspires growth in our students and staff.
Mathew Ferguson is the Acting/Interim Assistant Director of Residence Life. He has been recognized for his dedication to enhancing the Residential Experience through data-driven and student-centered learning initiatives. His work in re-envisioning the curriculum approach has empowered staff and students alike, making educational experiences more impactful and meaningful.
Leadership in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Award: Montez Butts
The Leadership in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Award is given to a person who demonstrates passion, commitment and courage while supporting a more equitable and just campus environment.
Montez Butts is the Director of the UMC. He has been recognized for his outstanding leadership in fostering an inclusive culture through the 'Culture of CARE' program, training initiatives and advocacy efforts. His authentic and compassionate approach consistently inspires colleagues and students to grow and create spaces that serve and support students and staff from all backgrounds, and we are proud to recognize all those who continue to lead the charge in making our campus a more just and inclusive place.
Notable Newcomer Award: Anthony Dillard
The Notable Newcomer Award celebrates a new employee to the Division of Student Affairs who displays dedication, reliability, and integrity in their work. This individual demonstrates a learner’s mindset, positive attitude, and spirit of cooperation.
Anthony Dillard works for Residence Life. Since joining the Res Life team this year, Anthony has exemplified dedication, reliability and integrity in all his interactions. Right from the start, he hit the ground running, managing high-level incidents while always prioritizing the student experience and genuine care for those he serves. Anthony possesses a remarkable learner’s mindset, displaying a positive attitude and a spirit of cooperation. His intentional efforts to develop student leaders have not gone unnoticed; he consistently encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, helping them grow even when it’s a challenge. He fosters an environment of accountability, not only for himself but also for his peers and the students he supervises. Anthony’s commitment to supporting others while demanding the best from himself and those around him is truly inspiring. His contributions have already made a significant impact on our division, and it’s clear that he is on a path to greatness within Student Affairs.
Project of the Year Award: Housing Facility Services (HFS) Frontline Leadership Program
The Project of the Year Award celebrates a project that positively impacted the student experience.
Alex Zakroff, Assistant Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement in HFS developed a program to support leadership development of frontline supervisors. The program provides leadership development designed specifically to the frontline supervisor experience. Alex partnered with his colleagues on the HFS leadership team, and other campus partners to develop and facilitate the program.The program explores the individual as a leader, people skills, and results through relationships in six modules. During the sessions, participants engage in conversations and activities that keep them engaged and excited about learning.
Partnership and Engagement Award: Jennifer Fisher
This is an award that celebrates an external department, unit or individual driving student success and building a sense of belonging. Nominee criteria range from creating dynamic co-curricular activities to meaningful interactions with students.
Jennnifer Fisher is the Director of Scholarship Services. Her commitment to first-generation students extends beyond individual support - she has led initiatives to expand scholarship access and provide crucial financial aid solutions. Through her collaboration and expertise, she ensures that more students have the opportunity to thrive at CU Boulder.
Empower, Impact, and Inspire Award: Austin Lujan
The Empower, Impact & Inspire Award honors an individual who shows courage by stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue positive change, fosters connection and collaboration with others through mentorship, and inspires others to discover and achieve their goals.
Austin Lujan is the Assistant Director of Student Organization and Leadership in the Center for Student Involvement. However, Austin is being recognized for stepping in to assist the Fraternity and Sorority Life community during an interim period. Austin is being recognized for his dedication to mentorship, student engagement, and leadership development. His efforts in revitalizing student organizations and fostering collaboration have made a lasting impact. Austin’s nominator shared “Austin fosters collaboration and mentorship, providing encouragement and resources for students and staff to take ownership of their journeys. His willingness to dive headfirst into challenges, his innovative problem-solving, and his ability to inspire others make him a truly deserving recipient of the Empower Impact Inspire Award.”
Student Spotlight Award: Sanjay Kumar Silva Ravichandran and Emma Kapolnek
The Student Spotlight Award recognizes those who consistently demonstrate exceptional work and contribute in numerous ways to a positive environment for both student affairs staff and other students.
Sanjay Kumar Silva Ravichandran works for the Volunteer Resource Center. His work with Sko Serves Alternative Break, CU in the Community, and the VRC Joint Board are all examples of Sanjay’s role in shaping initiatives and fostering the VRC’s goal for civic engagement.
Emma Kapolnek works for Fraternity and Sorority Life. She is a strong team player and goes above and beyond in supporting recruitment, engagement and outreach. We commend her commitment, work ethic, and willingness to support students and colleagues.
Star Award: Taylor Corley
The Star Award honors someone who expresses enthusiasm for their role and the broader impact that Student Affairs has on the university, community and beyond.
Taylor Corley is the Social Media Manager in Student Affairs Communications. She demonstrates leadership and creativity in overseeing multiple high-impact social media channels, including CU Boulder Life, CU Healthy Buffs, Career Services and more. Her enthusiasm for social media is clear, always bringing fresh social media trends and ideas to engage our online community. She is creative and innovative, always looking for new ways to connect with students through social media and foster a stronger sense of belonging among our students.
Heart of CU Award: Bryan Moran and Tulasa Oli
The Heart of CU Award celebrates three of our frontline staff who consistently provide excellent service and go above and beyond to support their colleagues and the division.
Bryan Moran is Housing Facilities Services’ Equipment Mechanic. He has been recognized for his dedication to supporting CU’s operations with outstanding communication, reliability, and a strong work ethic. His commitment to service has made him an invaluable team member.
Tulasa Oli is our second honoree and a cornerstone of CU’s Environmental Services leadership team. As an HFS Custodial Supervisor, she consistently demonstrates excellence in maintaining student housing and public spaces. Her dedication was on display during the 2024 NOAC conference, where she tackled major housing transitions with efficiency, teamwork, and strong leadership. Her commitment to creating a welcoming environment for students and guests makes her a valued asset to the CU community.
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service in Student Life:
Mary Ann Fountain and Jerry Nguyen
These awards recognize two members of our team who have gone above and beyond in their work, taking on projects and initiatives with a clear focus on creating a student-ready campus.
Mary Ann Fountain is the Associate Director of Student Affairs Finance. While her expertise is often sought from a financial perspective, her ability to see the broader picture, collaborate with partners, tackle challenges creatively, and streamline complex systems has made her an invaluable asset. This year, she has played a key role in supporting no fewer than 10 division-level projects. From assisting with the transition of Graduate Family Housing leases to University Housing, to building a foundation in our crisis response and documentation systems, she has left her mark on some of our division’s key initiatives this year. Though her work often happens behind the scenes, her influence is felt throughout the division!
Jerry Nguyen is Program Manager at the Center for Inclusion and Social Change. She has served as a champion and #1 cheerleader for the First-Generation student experience by not only bringing awareness to the existence and unique needs of this population but also by developing strong cross-campus partnerships. Just a few months ago, Jerry Nguyen received an email from a first-year, first-generation student in danger of withdrawing due to an exorbitant bill of over $20,000 dollars. But something did not look right to Jerry, so she sprung into problem-solving action. The outcome was the correction of an erroneous bill caused by incorrect coding. Would it not have been for Jerry’s prompting; the student’s life would look very different today. This is the kind of care that we all aim to provide to our students and to our community.