Fred M. Tugas, Old Dominion University's associate dean of students in the Office of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, was recognized with the Melvene Draheim Hardee Award at the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) Conference for his contributions to the field of student affairs.
Criteria for recognition include:
- Development of a model program or concept that affects student personnel work in the Southeast.
- Significant research or publication, or both.
- Providing outstanding leadership in professional organizations or endeavors, or both.
- Any unique and outstanding contribution to student personnel work that calls for acceptance and acknowledgement throughout the profession.
Tugas has served on SACSA’s Executive Council for the past three years, providing leadership and guidance to the directors
of the Mid-Managers and New Professionals institutes. He has also provided creative opportunities for nonconference
SACSA programming. Past leadership roles include serving as SACSA’s Newest Committee chair from 2016 to 2018,
member-at-large on the Executive Council from 2018 to 2019 and vice president for Professional Development from 2019 to 2022. Tugas is transitioning to serve as SACSA’s 2023 conference registration chair.
Tugas, an ODU alumnus who earned a bachelor’s in communication, assumed his role at the University in July.
Additionally, Melanie Graham, a Ph.D. student in ODU’s higher education program who also serves as a doctoral graduate assistant with Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, was recognized by SACSA as the 2022 Outstanding Graduate Student. Graham was selected for her academic achievement, campus involvement at ODU and contributions to SACSA. She serves as the Virginia Graduate Student SACSA Ambassador, SACSA Serves chair and Silent Auction co-chair, and was previously a Local Arrangements Committee member. She anticipates receiving her doctorate in 2025.