Thank you for taking the time to nominate a peer/colleague/program recognizing the outstanding work being done in higher education in the State of Ohio!  These awards will be presented at the 2025 OCPA Annual Conference. If you nominate someone for an award, please encourage them to attend the annual conference. 

Please provide the nominee's information and your rationale for why they/the program is deserving of being recognized this year. Nominations for multiple categories are welcome. Please use a different form for each submission. 

Learn more about all of the awards available on the Awards Page.

Please review the award descriptions prior to selecting the award you would like the nominee to be considered for:

Outstanding Middle-Level Professional Award:
The Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award is presented annually by OCPA. This award recognizes the hard work and commitment to our field for professionals who no longer identify as a new professional, but still make valuable contributions that positively impact those they collaborate and work with as well as to their respective institution and the field of Higher Education.

Fayetta M. Paulsen Accomplished Leader Award:
The Fayetta M. Paulsen Accomplished Leader Award is presented by OCPA to a student affairs professional who has, through outstanding leadership, made significant contributions to the field and to the institution of which the professional is a part. The professional has achieved innovative responses in meeting the varied and emerging needs of todayÔÇÖs students.

Phillip A. Tripp Distinguished Service Award:
The Phillip A. Tripp Distinguished Service Award is presented annually by OCPA to a student affairs professional in recognition of distinguished service to the field of Student Affairs. The purpose of the award is to recognize seasoned members of the profession.

Gerald L. Saddlemire Mentor Award:
Gerald Saddlemire was an effective administrator, a true scholar, an educator, and a mentor who accepted each person as a unique individual, and believed that the ability and potential of men and women were the professionÔÇÖs greatest asset. This award is presented to the student personnel professional who embodies and advances the true spirit and ideals of Dr. Gerald L. Saddlemire.

Mark G. Noffsinger New Professional Award:
The Mark G. Noffsinger New Professional Award is presented annually at the OCPA conference to an individual with three years or less of experience in the profession. This individual serves as a role model to students and professionals, demonstrates creativity and innovation in the field with the potential for continued success.

Innovative Program Award:
The Innovative Program Award is presented annually by OCPA to a student affairs professional who has initiated a new program or unique approach to a college policy, program, or problem. Through this award, OCPA recognizes innovative and effective approaches directed towards meeting the changing needs of students on the campus and the applicability of these approaches to other campus.

Equity & Inclusion Award:
The Equity and Inclusion Award is presented to an individual, campus/community program or service who or which has demonstrated creativity, innovation, and success in making a significant contribution and impact in the area of multicultural understanding and appreciation. The purpose of this award is to encourage and recognize outstanding efforts addressing cultural diversity issues in higher education.

Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Award:
The Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Award is presented annually by OCPA to encourage original, rigorous, and well-respected research manuscripts, evaluations of promising best practices endeavors, and theory grounded assessment reports of innovative initiatives. The ultimate goal is disseminating knowledge about programs and research studies that are making a difference in student affairs practice through research manuscripts, assessment manuscripts of best practices, position manuscripts on current topics in higher education, or graduate student research manuscripts. As the award is also intended to encourage original work, the manuscript need not be complete to be considered for the award.

Undergraduate Student Leader:
This award is presented annually to an undergraduate student leader who is enrolled in an Ohio higher education institution and has demonstrated leadership, contributed to Student Affairs on his/her campus, and has a desire to begin a professional career in Student Affairs.

Robert F. Rodgers Graduate Student of the Year:
As graduate students become more actively involved in creating the future direction of Student Affairs, OCPA has committed to recognizing their professional achievements. OCPA annually presents The Graduate Student of the Year Award in recognition of the dedication and unlimited energies of a full-time Ohio graduate student, masters or doctoral candidate, in the field of student affairs, college/student personnel or a related field.