2026 DOSA Award

We are excited to announce the 17th Annual Division of Student Affairs Awards program. The deadline for all submissions is July 24, 2026.  DOSA Awards will be presented at the Annual Student Affairs All Staff Meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the PSU Theater to recognize graduate students and staff from within the Division of Student Affairs for exemplary performance during the previous academic year.  
Nominations will be submitted via a Microsoft Form at: https://tinyurl.com/DOSA2026 (Chartwells Employees use: https://tinyurl.com/DOSAChart26). They can either be submitted anonymously, or the nominator can provide their name. Only one nomination per form. PLEASE PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE NOMINEES EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE.
 
Review the 2025 DOSA Award Winners!
Nominations for the 2026 DOSA Awards will be accepted for each of the categories listed below: 
  • Promotion of Public Affairs
  • Innovation by a Team, New Program, or New Initiative
  • Outstanding Individual(s) Championing Connection, Engagement, and Awareness (Chosen by the Inclusion Awareness Team)
  • Outstanding Graduate Assistant
  • Outstanding New Exempt Staff Member (employed less than 2 years)
  • Outstanding New Non-Exempt Staff Member (employed less than 2 years)
  • Outstanding New Part-Time Staff Member (employed less than 2 years)
  • Outstanding Exempt Staff Member (employed more than 2 years)
  • Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff Member (employed more than 2 years)
  • Outstanding Part-Time Staff Member (employed more than 2 years)
  • Outstanding Long Standing Staff Member (employed within Student Affairs 10 years or more)
*These categories may be either nominations or self-submissions.
AWARD CATEGORIES 
 
PROMOTION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
  • Presented to an individual or team
  • Promoted appreciation, understanding, or celebration of the Public Affairs Mission through delivery of a program and/or through personal actions
  • The event created a positive impact on our campus
  • Give a concrete example of how this program exceeded other service/volunteer programs?
INNOVATION BY A TEAM, NEW PROGRAM, OR NEW INITIATIVE
  • Demonstrated benefit to students and participating units
  • Developed a new program or initiative to meet specific outcome(s) in accordance with our Student Affairs Mission
  • Developed and implemented an outstanding new program or initiative within the last two years
  • Demonstrated achievement of the program or initiative goals
  • Please provide specific examples.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL(S) CHAMPIONING CONNECTION, ENGAGEMENT, AND AWARENESS
    • Classified as a current staff member (full or part-time), or graduate assistant within the Division of Student Affairs   
    • Nominee may not have previously received this award   
    • The nominee actively seeks opportunities to expand their understanding of fairness, respect, and the experiences of all communities, and integrates this knowledge into their practice to foster meaningful connections, engage with others effectively, and ensure all individuals are treated with dignity and understanding.
    • Nominee brings awareness to and/or takes action to remove hurdles to fairness and respect of all individuals both within and outside of Missouri State University
    • The nominee actively raises awareness and takes action to remove hurdles that hinder the creation of a community built on connection and meaningful engagement, both within and/or outside Missouri State University
    • Nominee champions the development of a department, institution, and/or profession that is more open-minded and responsive to a range of experiences and viewpoints.
    • Give specific examples.  
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE ASSISTANT
  • Classified as a graduate assistant
  • Completed at least one semester of graduate work
  • Demonstrated superior job performance
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Give specific examples.
OUTSTANDING NEW EXEMPT STAFF MEMBER
  • Classified as an exempt staff member
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for less than two years
  • Demonstrated superior job performance
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Give specific examples.
OUTSTANDING NEW NON-EXEMPT STAFF MEMBER

  • Classified as a non-exempt staff member

  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for less than two years

  • Demonstrated superior job performance

  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people

  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University

  • Give specific examples.

OUTSTANDING NEW PART-TIME STAFF MEMBER
  • Classified as a non-student Part-time staff
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for less than two years
  • Demonstrated superior job performance
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Give specific examples.
OUTSTANDING EXEMPT STAFF MEMBER
  • Classified as an Exempt staff member
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for two or more years
  • Demonstrated superior job performance above and beyond expectations
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Demonstrated involvement in professional activities (presentations at conferences, committee work for professional association, office held in professional association, or publications)
  • Give specific examples.
OUTSTANDING NON-EXEMPT STAFF MEMBER
  • Classified as a non-exempt staff member
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for two or more years
  • Demonstrated superior job performance above and beyond expectations
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the department, the Division of Student Affairs, and/or the University
  • Give specific examples
OUTSTANDING PART-TIME STAFF MEMBER
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for two or more years
  • Demonstrated superior job performance above and beyond expectations
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Give specific examples.
OUTSTANDING LONG-STANDING STAFF MEMBER
  • Classified as full-time exempt, full time non-exempt staff member, or non-student Part-time staff
  • Employed within the Division of Student Affairs for 10 years or more
  • Demonstrated superior job performance
  • Demonstrated pride in work and displayed a positive attitude toward responsibilities and people
  • Demonstrated commitment to Division of Student Affairs and Missouri State University through service on committees, engaging in actions that support department, Division, and University values, and/or engaging in collaborative efforts across the University
  • Give specific examples.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on July 24th.  If you have any questions, please contact Raeleen Ziegler (DOSA Committee Chair) at RZiegler@MissouriState.edu or one of the DOSA Committee members: 
 
Stef Hall
StefaniHall@MissouriState.edu
Student Affairs
6-5526
Margaret Osler
Margaret130@MissouriState.edu
Residence Life
6-5534
Danelle Maxwell
DanelleMaxwell@MissouriState.edu
Career Center
6-5636
Judi Murphy
JMurphy@MissouriState.edu
Access & Success/TRIO
6-6220
Raeleen Ziegler
RZiegler@MissouriState.edu
Veteran Student Center
6-6444
Grace Mitchell
GraceMitchell@MissouriState.edu
Bookstore
6-3790
Alex Johnson
AlexJohnson@MissouriState.edu
Community Engagement
6-5774
Mary Ann Wood
MaryAnnWood@MissouriState.edu
Public Affairs Support
6-5073
Lindsey Pruitt
LindseyPruitt@MissouriState.edu
Magers Health & Wellness
6-4000
Ellen Currie
EllenCurrie@MissouriState.edu
Dean of Students
6-5527
Ray Hargiss
RaymondHargiss@MissouriState.edu
Campus Recreation
6-4791
Holly Reynolds
HollyReynolds@MissouriState.edu
Counseling Center
6-5116
TBD
Graduate Assistant