President Broderick Tapped to Receive ACPA's Contribution to Higher Education Award
Old Dominion President John Broderick has been selected to receive the American College Personnel Association's Contribution to Higher Education Award, one of the national organization's highest honors, at the ACPA 88th annual convention this month in Louisville, Ky.
This award recognizes someone who has advanced a higher education agenda through work at the institutional, regional and/or national level. Recipients also have worked outside the association to contribute to the higher education landscape and have, in a meaningful way, enhanced the work done on college campuses and/or with college students. Recipients can be a college president, another association leader, a higher education scholar or researcher, someone from the corporate world or a political leader.
Previous noted recipients of the ACPA Contribution to Higher Education Award have included David Ward, president of the American Council on Education (and former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin system); Carol Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities; and Clara Lovett, past president of the American Association for Higher Education.
The ACPA governing board will bestow the honor on Broderick Monday, March 26, for his outstanding leadership of ODU in the area of student success and his untiring support to students at all levels of the institution. It also recognizes his support of legislation that creates more access and affordability in higher education for all students, as evidenced by his participation on the Virginia Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment and leadership of the successful 2002 General Obligation Bond Referendum for Virginia's Community Colleges, Public Four-Year Colleges, Universities, and Museums.
In addition, the ACPA award recognizes Broderick's contributions at ODU, including his commitment to enhance the residential campus and his university-wide initiative to set a new standard for student success and student learning. The association pointed to ODU's new Student Success Center and Learning Commons as evidence of this commitment.
"All of these accomplishments and visions warrant the student affairs profession's recognition of ODU's eighth president with our Contribution to Higher Education Award," said Stanton Cheah, a senior director with ACPA.
One of those supporting Broderick's ACPA award nomination was Don Stansberry, ODU dean of students, who referred to the president as a "high-energy and dynamic leader" and one who is committed to change at the university, while also serving the community beyond the confines of campus. Stansberry added: "I have a unique relationship with President Broderick. I have been a member of his leadership team and a student in his class. No matter what role he plays, he has the best interest of the university, community and students in mind. I enjoy working with and learning from him in and out of the classroom. He is a teacher in all that he does and challenges everyone to break down silos, build partnerships and focus on solutions."
Justin True, a 2011 ODU graduate and former student body president, also wrote in support of the nomination, noting that Broderick is a popular and visible leader among the student population: "He tries to put himself in each person's shoes and do whatever he can to understand their needs and desires. Unselfish attitudes and acts have aided President Broderick in shaping Old Dominion University into what it is and what kind of students it produces today," True said.
Broderick has served as president of Old Dominion since 2008. He guides the university's six colleges, more than 10 economic development and research centers, and numerous partnerships with government and business organizations and agencies. As president, he oversees an operating budget in excess of $526 million and more than 2,500 faculty and staff members. In addition to his administrative duties and his off-campus leadership responsibilities, he teaches two classes in the higher education graduate program at the university.
Broderick is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association board of directors and recently was elected as chair of the President's Football Championship Series Advisory Committee. He has been recognized for his contributions to higher education and the Hampton Roads community with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' Humanitarian Award, the Urban League of Hampton Roads' Marian Palmer Capps Award, the College Communicators Association Distinguished Service Award, Lead Hampton Roads' Julian F. Hirst Award for excellence in community, civic and professional leadership, and a 2011 Visionary Award from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. He was a finalist for the national PR News' Professional of the Year Award while serving as ODU's vice president for institutional advancement.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., at the National Center for Higher Education, the ACPA is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. It was founded in 1924 and today has nearly 7,500 members representing 1,200 private and public institutions from across the United States and around the world.
ACPA members include graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in student affairs/higher education administration programs, faculty and student affairs educators, from entry level to senior student affairs officers, and organizations and companies that are engaged in the campus marketplace.