RECOGNITION & AWARDS

NACRO's success is dependent on our engaged and involved members who volunteer their time and talent to advance our profession and the organization. Our volunteers are recognized through our annual awards to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals in our field. These awards are announced at the NACRO Annual Conference.

Pictured from left to right: Tim Hausman (NACRO Co-President), Priya Baboo (NACRO Co-President), Elizabeth Minard (Rising Star Award recipient),
Ulyssia Dennis (Rising Star Award recipient), Megan Greenawalt (Volunteer of the Year Award recipient), Charley Hasemann (Mary Beth Maddox
Lifetime Service Award recipient), Joseph Huang (NACRO Co-Vice President), Joon Cho (NACRO Co-Vice President)

Mary Beth Maddox Lifetime Service Award

This award honors a NACRO member or past member who exemplifies servant leadership and NACRO values as a volunteer-led organization. The award focuses attention on individuals who personify the profession’s highest standards, and in so doing, elevates academic corporate relations overall.

Award Criteria:

5 years or more as an active NACRO member
Made a significant and lasting impact on the field, serving the profession over an extended period of ten years or more
Serves NACRO as an ambassador, telling the NACRO story throughout the field
Demonstrated service to the organization through two or more of the following or comparable over a period of three or more years:
Committee participation

Committee Chair
Subcommittee Chair
Conference presenter/moderator
Ad hoc committee participation
Board member
Professional development activities:

Webinar delivery
Bootcamp presenter

Past Recipients:

2025 - Charley Hasemann
2024 - Stacey Willenborg
2023 - Mark Nolan
2022 - Alexa Hansen
2021 - Roger Van Hoy
2020 - Mona Ellerbock
2019 - Mary Beth Maddox (awarded posthumously)

Rising Star Award

This award honors an early career NACRO member who is an emerging leader in academic corporate relations. Rising Stars have shown growth in contribution to the profession and increased levels of leadership and responsibility.

Award Criteria:

2 years or more as an active NACRO member
Early career professional with 5 years or less in the field
Stands out in energy and dedication on committee or professional development activity in which he/she is involved at NACRO
Receives high praise from committee chairs and/or session review for presentations given
Demonstrated passion for the profession

Past Recipients:

2025 - Ulyssia Dennis & Elizabeth Minard
2024 - Melissa Belcher
2023 - Adam Bear
2022 - Sara Garvey
2021 - Ben Miller
2020 - Jill Abele
2019 - David Ortendahl

Volunteer of the Year Award

Established in 2020, this award honors a NACRO member who has demonstrated exceptional service to the organization in the current year. The award honors individuals that have reached out to meet others in the organization, demonstrated exceptional work as a NACRO volunteer, unselfishly worked with others to improve the organization, its mission, and/or performed services or tasks that are not part of their normal assignments.

Award Criteria:

Currently serving as an active NACRO member on at least one committee
Participation required at Midwinter
Demonstrated leadership abilities and knowledge of operations and priorities
Significant contributions to the strategic goals of a committee. Additional effort beyond standard committee work (building educational content, session presenter at conference or via webinars, volunteering at events, etc.)
- Ownership of a project, process, subcommittee
- Going above and beyond to move work forward
- Customer service oriented at all levels (leadership / membership)
Serving as a natural spokesperson for the value of NACRO volunteerism - a NACRO Champion

Past Recipients:

2025 - Megan Greenawalt
2024 - Joon Cho
2023 - Audrey Metcalf
2022 - Ashley Chan
2021 - Joseph Huang
2020 - Roxana Ryan

President's Award

This award seeks to recognize and honor a member of the current board of directors who has provided exceptional service to the organization. This is a discretionary award, and will be selected by the NACRO Co-Presidents if there is a notable honoree.