Topeka, Kan. – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Region IV-W, a regional arm of a national organization for student affairs professionals, has given awards to two members of Washburn University to recognize their efforts on behalf of student success. James Barraclough, director of undergraduate initiatives and lecturer for the Washburn University Center for Student Success and Retention, won the Outstanding Mid-level Professional Award, and Graciela Berumen, first generation retention specialist and lecturer for the Washburn University Center for Student Success and Retention, won the Rising Star Award-New Professional.
“I am proud of James and Graciela receiving these well-deserved honors,” said Dr. Alan Bearman, dean of University Libraries and the Center for Student Success and Retention. “Their efforts, and all their colleagues at the Center for Student Success and Retention, to promote student success at Washburn is inspirational.”
“Our mission at Washburn University is to enrich the life of each of our students, helping them realize their full potential,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, vice president for academic affairs. “These awards are a wonderful recognition of James and Graciela’s individual efforts, as well as an illustration of the excellent faculty and staff we have on our campuses, passionately working for our students.”
NASPA recognized Barraclough for his many accomplishments that have directly benefited years of Washburn students, including creating and directing the First Year Experience (FYE) program that helped increase Washburn’s first-time, full-time student retention rate, creating and directing a nationally-recognized Peer Educator Program, creating and directing a nationally recognized bridge program—the Ichabod Success Institute—that has particularly positive outcomes for Latinx students, and leading first-generation support programs at Washburn University. Barraclough’s work with first-generation student programing led to Washburn being invited as one of 80 inaugural schools in NASPA’s First Forward initiative in 2019, recognizing institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Barraclough also won a NSAPA award in 2019 for Outstanding Advisor for 2018-2019. NASPA presents the Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award annually to a student affairs professional who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the profession and to NASPA at the regional level, contributed to programs that address the needs of students and is experienced in creating a campus environment that promotes student learning and personal development.
Berumen won the Rising Star Award for her many accomplishments since beginning her student affairs career two years ago. Her noted achievements include creating programming specifically for Latinx students and their families, participating in NASPA’s First Forward Initiative as an institutional representative of one of 80 inaugural schools and collaborating with Washburn University student life and residential living to create a learning community for first-generation students, which launched in Fall 2020. NASPA created the Rising Star Award to recognize achievement, involvement and the potential in emerging and future student affairs professionals.
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Its work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy and research for 15 thousand members in all 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. territories. Region IV-West encompasses the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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Editor’s Notes
- The Washburn University First Year Experience supports the academic, social and personal transitions of all first-year students. Through collaborative efforts with faculty, staff and peer educators, Washburn empowers and supports first-year students by providing intentional courses, programs and services that promote success and persistence in college. The Washburn FYE program seeks to help students begin the process of becoming information literate to promote student success in the Information Age.
- The Ichabod Success Institute prepares first-time direct-from-high school students for the academic rigor of and successful transition into Washburn University. The Institute begins with a five-week residential program each July and support continues across a student’s first two years at Washburn, leading to an associate’s degree. The Institute seeks to recruit students from underrepresented groups (including, but not limited to: African-American, Latino, Native-American, First-Generation and Low-Income students) to promote their success within the university.
