WASHINGTON, D.C. — Each year, NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education - recognizes members who are doing outstanding work in the student affairs profession. Frank P. Ardaiolo, vice president for student life at Winthrop University, was selected as the recipient of the 2017 Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean.
This award, named for NASPA’s founding chair of the Board of Directors (1919-20) and former dean of men at the University of Wisconsin, is presented to a dean or senior student affairs officer who has demonstrated sustained professional achievement in student affairs work, innovative response in meeting students' varied and emerging needs, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in community and college or university affairs. The award recipient must also have earned stature among and support of students, faculty, and fellow administrators on campus, and made significant contributions to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.
In his role as vice president for student life, Ardaiolo developed courses for the new leadership minor program. For many years, he has taken students abroad for seminars on global citizenship and leadership. He has published more than 30 monograph chapters, articles and essays on legal issues, quality improvement, adult learners, student affairs/academic affairs collaboration, civic engagement and African politics.
“He brought to the table a passion for excellence, a deep personal commitment to students’ development and well-being, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves and get things done,” said Brien Lewis, J.D, president of Catawba College and the first dean of Winthrop’s University College. “He pushed forcefully for increased resources for (and focus on) student-related initiatives to ensure they would have the kind of support from faculty and administration needed to deliver strong programs for the benefit of students.”
Prior to his work at Winthrop, Ardaiolo served as director of residence life at Belmont Abbey College, associate dean of students at the University of South Carolina, and assistant vice president and dean of students at the University of Connecticut. Ardaiolo also served on both the NASPA Foundation Board of Directors as chair and the NASPA Board of Directors as the Region III vice president during his long NASPA tenure.
“Every step along my professional journey from undergraduate tenure to my current deanly duties, Dr. A has provided an optimal mismatch of support,” said Andrew Wilson ‘02, dean, academic and student services, Johns Hopkins University. “I have him to thank for my focus on becoming, and sustaining my life as, a scholar practitioner.”
Ardaiolo and one other Goodnight National Award winner will be honored in March at the 2017 NASPA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
For more information, please contact Winthrop's Office of University Communications and Marketing at 803/323-2236.
