Student Affairs Staff Recognized for Hard Work, Commitment

The College of Charleston Division of Student Affairs recently named its 2021 division awards recipients, as well as its new executive director of student involvement: Christine Workman.

Christine Workman

Since 2017, Workman has served as director of student life, providing leadership and administrative direction for campuswide programmatic initiatives like Weeks of Welcome, Cougar Night Lights, Family Fun Day and Orientation After Dark; support for over 200 registered student organizations; and oversight/direction for the Cougar Activities Board and the CisternYard Media student media branches.

“During my time at the College, I have enjoyed being able to work with faculty, colleagues and students on enhancing the student experience,” says Workman, whose new role involves advancing the mission of the College’s student-centered teams and further developing programming models focused on engagement, diversity, leadership and learning. “We have tremendous students at the College, and the opportunity to help build sustainable student engagement programs is one of the reasons I am so excited about this expanded role. I look forward to welcoming our students back to campus and leading the Student Involvement Team.”

In addition, the hardworking and dedicated student affairs staff members were celebrated and recognized at the 12th annual Salute to Student Affairs division awards program on Aug. 2, 2021.

“The incredible work being done in our division continues to inspire me, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate our efforts,” says Executive Vice President for Student Affairs Alicia Caudill.

In addition to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, which received the Outstanding Campus Partner Award, and the Department of Residence Life, which received the Outstanding Campus Collaboration Award, the following individuals were recognized with awards at the 2021 Salute to Student Affairs division awards program:

Lee Penny

Lee Penny, Director of Student Health Services
Silver Pillar Award
This award recognizes an individual who has been with the division for less than three years and has given exemplary service to the division and to the students, making a positive impact on their department, the division and/or the College of Charleston community.

Chris Bond

Chris Bond, Assistant Director of Student Life Facilities and Operations
Gold Pillar Award
This award is given to an individual who has been with the Division of Student Affairs for three to six years and has exceeded the responsibilities of their position and excelled in service to the division, the College and/or the student affairs profession.

Celeste Granger

Celeste Granger, Associate Director of Residence Life
Maroon Pillar Award
This award recognizes an individual who has with the Division of Student Affairs for more than six years and who has consistently gone beyond expectations. This person has been a role model for other staff members and their department. The recipient of this award is dedicated to service, support and collaboration.

Michael Duncan

Michael Duncan, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Executive Vice President for Student Affairs Award

Molly Callahan

Molly Callahan, Student Support Coordinator and Office Manager
Unsung Hero
This award recognizes behind-the-scenes individuals who consistently and effectively perform their duties in a manner that enhances the work environment for others. They go above and beyond their job responsibilities to support the mission of their department and the division, yet they seem to never openly seek recognition or credit.

Ashley Daniels

Ashley Daniels, Assistant Dean of Students
Jeri O. Cabot Award for Challenge and Support
The award – named in honor of longtime Dean of Students Jeri Cabot – is presented to an employee who engages with students through programs and/or individual interactions which show deep respect for students, an ability to navigate difficult conversations and a deep commitment to matching challenge with support needed for student learning and development.

Jim Allison

Jim Allison, Executive Director of the Career Center
George Haborak Award for Professional Development
Named in honor of the work of the late George Haborak, former executive vice president for student affairs, this award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in their own personal professional development.

Brittany Craig

Brittany Burroughs Craig, Assistant Director of Student Life for Programming and Student Media
Victor K. Wilson Service to Students Award
This award is given to an individual who demonstrates a student-centered approach of advocacy and empowerment to provide exemplary service to College of Charleston students. This award may also be given to someone who consistently inspires individuals or student organizations to go beyond normal expectations to accomplish goals, institute change or make a difference.

Talim Lessane

Talim Lessane, Director of Upward Bound
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Justice Award
This award recognizes an individual who has helped to cultivate an inclusive campus environment by celebrating, supporting or enhancing diversity on campus and beyond. Their efforts directly uphold the College of Charleston’s initiatives to recruit, retain and advance the experiences of underrepresented communities on campus.

“Winning the Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Justice Award was significant to me because this work, in various capacities, has been a huge part of my life for a very long time,” says Lessane. “It reflects not only the work done by the Upward Bound team in providing skills and motivation for success in higher education for many historically excluded students, but also a responsibility I have on a personal and professional level to be a voice in spaces where there otherwise might be silence – or, at the very least, uncertainty – around numerous issues facing the College, the city or even society in general.”

A responsibility to provide empowering spaces during uncertain times is something Craig, recipient of the Victor K. Wilson Service to Students Award, feels too – especially given the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This past year was difficult for all, but especially for the students we serve here at the College. It was important to me to do everything I possibly could to ease that burden for our students,” says Craig, adding that helping find ways to relieve students’ stress during the pandemic has been “truly a rewarding experience. I know everyone in student affairs worked extremely hard to ease the pandemic burden for our students and to be nominated and chosen for this award is truly humbling.”