Dear Bentley Community,
I’m proud to share with you that Dean Andrew Shepardson has been awarded the Region I Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Chief Student Affairs Officer by NASPA, the national association of college student affairs professionals. This prestigious award, the organization’s highest, is presented to a leader who has demonstrated sustained achievement in student affairs work, innovative responses to meeting students’ needs, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in university affairs. Dean Shepardson was honored with the award at the NASPA regional conference in Hartford, Conn. this week.
There is no student affairs leader across the country more deserving of the award than he is — I’m biased, but I'm glad to know that NASPA agrees. As Dean Shepardson begins his 30th year at Bentley, it is impossible to count all the ways he has positively impacted student life on our campus. Since first joining our community as a judicial coordinator, he has held numerous roles in Student Affairs and taught classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels before taking on his current role as vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students in 2011. As vice president, Dean Shepardson has transformed the student experience at Bentley, bringing to life exciting traditions and expanding opportunities to grow and connect.
Dean Shepardson sees value and potential in every student. As Barbara Fienman, a NASPA member, former NASPA Pillar of the Profession and student affairs leader with more than 30 years of experience at schools including MIT and Suffolk University, noted in presenting him the award, Dean Shepardson never wavers in his commitment to providing students the best possible learning experience outside of the classroom. He is an educator to both students and his staff, and he is always open to sharing advice with student affairs professionals from other colleges and universities, too.
And while this award is deservedly bestowed upon him, it is also a clear recognition of the talent and passion of our entire Student Affairs staff. As a place-based university, we believe strongly in providing students with a myriad of opportunities to learn from and engage with one another meaningfully outside and inside the classroom. Thanks to Dean Shepardson and his outstanding team, there is no shortage of those opportunities on our campus.
Please join me in congratulating Dean Shepardson on this well-deserved award. I am proud of the work he does at Bentley and am thankful for his leadership throughout his division and beyond.
Most Sincerely,
President Chrite
