Georgia Southern University Division of Student Affairs recognizes staff and program excellence
The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at Georgia Southern University has announced the most recent 2026 divisional award winners. DSA’s awards and recognition committee reviews and selects winners in five categories that best exemplify its mission, values and priorities.
This year, the following staff and program were awarded:
Emerging Professional Award: Maria Elena Lealofi, Coordinator of Student Conduct
Rising Professional Award: Nadiyah Louder, Housing Graduate Assistant
Administrative Excellence Award: Sarah Filas, Administrative Assistant III, Counseling Center
Purpose in Practice Award: Julianna Leverette, Student Media Engagement Coordinator, Student Activities
Student Impact Award: Counseling Center
The Emerging and Rising Professional Awards highlight staff who are not only reliable, but invaluable to the division at their respective career levels, while providing the highest level of professionalism to the students they serve. Administrative Excellence is awarded to staff whose organization and passion uphold the DSA’s mission and values. The Purpose in Practice Award honors staff whose presence makes staff and students feel like they matter each day. Finally, the Student Impact Award is given to a program that generates real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of students through the DSA.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.