Congratulations to CSAA alumni award winner Willie Banks

Congratulations to Dr. Willie Banks Jr., an alumnus of the college student affairs administration program who recently won the 2016 CSAA Outstanding Alumni Award.

The award was presented March 7 in Montreal during the UGA reception at the annual conference of ACPA–College Student Educators International. He was also recognized March 14 in Indianapolis during the UGA reception at the annual conference of NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

Banks is a 1995 graduate of the CSAA master’s program and a 2008 graduate of the doctoral program. He is vice president for student affairs at Indiana State University and has also held positions at Cleveland State University and UGA.

As part of his nomination, several letters of support attested to his dedication to students. “To know Dr. Banks is to know a professional truly committed to his students and greater campus community,” wrote one nominator. Another noted, “He goes out of his way to get to know students, their stories, and how he can help them succeed. This is not a show—this is Willie. This is how I believe he is able to keep his work student-focused and not get bogged down in politics that comes with every institution and every position. He remembers why we are here, and as simple as that is, it is inspiring.”

Others recalled Banks’ professionalism in the world of student affairs. “Dr. Banks has redefined what it means to be a leader within the student affairs profession…I am…motivated to reach even higher heights because of the example he has set.”