Nancy Murphy-Chadwick served as the senior housing officer at Texas Woman's University for over 30 years.  She served SWACUHO as chairperson for several committees including two times as Program chair as well as serving on the Executive Committee as Secretary, CHO Liaison, and President.  Nancy was also instrumental in the establishment of the "Supervisory Skills Workshop" which is today known as SWACUHO-U as well as the Senior Housing Officers Workshop.  In her career, Nancy was committed to the development of young professionals.  She was awarded the James L. "Jim" Gibson Exceptional Service Award in 1997 and is a recipient of the ACUHO-I Parthenon Award.  The New Professional of Distinction Award was named in her honor in 2010 to recognize her significant contribution to our Association and to the housing profession.

This award was designed to recognize the outstanding work and impact of a new housing professional.  Energetic, innovative, having a positive attitude, and providing motivation are some of the descriptors of someone eligible for the new professional of distinction award.

This award is an excellent opportunity to recognize the new professional of distinction at your college or university.  A maximum of two awards will be given in any one year, but only one nomination per institution will be considered.

This award will be presented in the form of a plaque to the selected individual(s) or a representative from their institution, assuming the individual is not in attendance at the annual SWACUHO conference.

Criteria for Selection:

A successful nominee must meet the following criteria:

• Be in an entry level, full time professional position with a minimum of one full year and a maximum of three full years of experience.
• Currently supervise student staff or a programmatic/departmental area.
• Have provided new ideas, initiatives, and programs that have enhanced their housing program.
• Have enhanced their skills through training, education, and development.
• Be actively involved in mentoring to and/or meeting the needs of students.

This individual has created programs and initiatives that have had a positive impact on their housing program and their students.  In addition, this new professional has enhanced their skills through training, educational opportunities, and from learning on the job.  This person also exhibits traits and characteristics that foreshadow a successful career in housing.  As the supervisor, advisor, and mentor of students and student groups, the new professional of distinction will have gone above the call of duty to be of service to students.

Past Winners:

2024 Brett Conners, Texas Tech University
Kendra Erickson, University of Central Arkansas

2023 Anthony Nel, Texas Woman’s University

2022 Madeline Pena, Baylor University
Neffertia Tyner, University of Oklahoma

2021 Lexie Curiel, University of Texas at Arlington
AnnMarie McCollum, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

2020 Derrian Hall, Texas Woman's University
Apefa Pedanou, University of Texas at Arlington

2019 Hannah Barney, University of Arkansas
Sara Tarango Senglemann, University of North Texas

2018 Joshua Mackrill, Texas Woman's University
Tiffany Bromfield, University of North Texas

2017 Carrie Cooper, University of Houston
Elizabeth McDonald, Texas Tech University

2016 K. Mary Cayhill, Oklahoma State University
Jaclyn Stelmaszczyk, University of Houston

2015 Amanda Knutson, Texas Tech University
Margaux Ring, University of Texas at Arlington

2014 Melissa Turner, Arkansas State University
Jessica Crabaugh, Oklahoma State University

2013 John Wright, Arkansas State University
Leslie Williams, Texas Tech University

2012 Sabrina Billey, Texas State University

2011 Micahel de la Cruz, University of Oklahoma

2010 Craig Kuehnert, Texas Tech University

2009 Alvin Curette, University of Texas-Austin

2008 John Michael Seals, University of Arkansas

2007 Krystal Peralez, University of Texas at Austin

2006 Michelle Anderson, University of Central Arkansas.

2005 Jessica Bowman, Southern Methodist University

2004 Dawn F. Norris, Southern Methodist University
Emily Shipman, Texas A&M University - Commerce

2003 Alicia Vela, Texas Lutheran University

2002 Megan O'Brien, Texas Tech University

2001 Chad Cardani, Texas State University