MCUCSA presents awards at the summer conference in recognition of members who have gone above and beyond in service to the organization. Awards are granted on a very selective basis, therefore, they are not necessarily awarded every year.

To nominate colleagues for an award, please complete the online nomination form.

Award Recipients

Distinguished Service Award

MCUCSA's highest honor. This award is given to a member who has made outstanding or unique contributions to MCUCSA and/or its regional or national affiliations.

2023 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2022 - Sara Nagel Newberg, U of MN - Career Services Administration
2019 - Paul Timmins, U of MN - CLA
2018 - Lauren Kavan, Hamline University
2016 - Joyce Halverson, U of MN - CLA
2014 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2013 - Megan Rivera, U of MN - CSE
2011 - Sheila Risacher, Southwest Minnesota State
2010 - Julie Westlund, U of MN - Duluth
2009 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State, Mankato
2008 - Janet Pribyl, U of MN - Duluth
2007 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
2006 - Mike Hendel, Carleton College
2005 - Pam Matti, U of MN-Education
2004 - Ann Ness, Carleton College
2003 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Adolphus College
2002 - Carol Tremaine, Northwestern College
2001 - Pat Smith, St. Olaf College
2000 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
1999 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
1998 - Ed Stubblefield, College of St. Benedict
1997 - Julie Westlund, U of MN - Duluth
1996 - Steve Koller, University of St. Thomas
1995 - Gary Donovan, U of MN - Morris
1993 - Paul Redin, Bethel University
1992 - Marilyn Hill, Carleton College
1991 - Walt Larson, St. Cloud State University
1990 - Frank Braun, U of MN - Education


Rookie Award

This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to MCUCSA during the initial three years of membership.

2023 - Jessica Castellanos, Carleton College
2022 - Lorena Lane, U of MN - Duluth
2021 - Violeta Lara, University of St. Thomas
2019 - Julie Maahs, Concordia College
2019 - Thando Kunene, St. Olaf College
2018 - Katie Breckner, St. Catherine University
2017 - Erin Chamlee, Carleton College
2016 - Susie Wold, St. Olaf College
2015 - Chrissy Francis, Hamline University
2014 - Whitney Moore, U of MN - CSE
2013 - Laura Lankton, University of St. Thomas
2012 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2011 - Kristin Underwood, Minnesota State, Mankato
2010 - Sarah Wolfe, U of MN - CEHD
2009 - Kristen Walpole, Gustavus Adolphus College
2008 - Megan Rivera, U of MN - CCSE
2007 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2006 - Joyce Halverson, U of MN - CLA
1998 - Janet Pribyl, U of MN - Duluth
1996 - Lynn Johnson, Moorhead State University
1992 - Jeanne Exline, U of MN
1992 - Kris Kincaid, St. Olaf College
1991 - Tammy Wheeler, Bethel University


Outstanding Committee Contribution Award

This award recognizes MCUCSA members who extend extraordinary effort as a committee member or committee leader in the work that is the driving force of MCUCSA.

2023 - Jill VanOsdol, Gustavus Adolphus College
2023 - Cindy Boe, Bemidji State University
2022 - Samantha Tiemens-Anderson, U of MN - CSE
2022 - Laura Heilman, U of MN - CLA


Honorary Lifetime Membership

The award of an honorary lifetime membership in MCUCSA is extended to MCUCSA members who retire from the career development profession after ten or more years of membership in MCUCSA.

2024 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2023 - Nancy Haugen, Bemidji State University
2022 - Janet Pribyl, U of MN-Duluth
2022 - Maggie Kubak, U of MN
2022 - Jennifer Rogers, University of St. Thomas
2021 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2020 - Joyce Halverson, U of MN-CLA
2020 - Paul Strickland, University of St. Thomas
2020 - John Clarkson, St. John's University
2020 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
2020 - Matt Carlson, Minnesota State University, Mankato
2020 - Mary Harlander-Locke, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
2020 - Dave Broza, Bethel University
2020 - Tina Wagner, St. Catherine University
2019 - Julie Westlund, U of MN-Duluth
2019 - Bobbi Murphy, St. Cloud State University
2018 - Gary Donovan, U of MN-Morris
2018 - Heidi Harlander, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University
2016 - Diane Crist, University of St. Thomas
2015 - Addie Habstritt Turkowski, St. Cloud State University
2015 - Ed Stubblefield, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University
2014 - Deenna Latus, Minnesota State University, Mankato


20-Year Member Award

This award recognizes MCUCSA members after twenty years of membership and dedication to the organization.

2022 - Mary Anderson, College of St. Scholastica
2021 - Kirsten Cahoon, St. Olaf College
2021 - Nancy Haugen, Bemidji State University
2020 - Sara Nagel Newberg, U of MN-Career Services Administration
2017 - Becky Hall, U of MN-Career Services Administration
2015 - Heidi Harlander, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University
2015 - Janet Pribyl, U of MN-Duluth
2014 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University, Mankato
2013 - Sandy Tilton, Augsburg University
2013 - Jennifer Rogers, University of St. Thomas
2012 - Mary Harlander-Locke, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
2010 - Terry Middendorf, Hamline University
2010 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
2009 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Aldolphus College
2008 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
2007 - John Clarkson, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University
2007 - Ed Stubblefield, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University
2007 - Becky Durham, University of St. Thomas
2005 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2002 - Julie Westlund, U of MN-Duluth


Past President Award

This award recognizes members who served as MCUCSA President.

2024 - Hailey Olson, St. Cloud State University
2023 - Amber Bieneck Thom, University of St. Thomas
2022 - Emily Reinert, U of MN-Athletics
2021 - Jennifer Guyer-Wood, U of MN-Humphrey School
2020 - Bill Baldus, Metro State University
2019 - John Mountain, Macalester College
2018 - Whitney Moore, U of MN-CSE
2017 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2016 - Lauren Kavan, Hamline University
2015 - Joyce Halverson, U of MN-CLA
2014 - Deenna Latus, Minnesota State University, Mankato
2013 - Megan Rivera, U of MN-CSE
2012 - Sheila Risacher, Southwest Minnesota State
2011 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2010 - Mark Sorenson-Wagner, U of MN-CSE
2009 - Jay Thorson, Concordia College Moorhead
2008 - Janet Pribyl, U of MN-Duluth
2007 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University, Mankato
2006 - Mike Hendel, Carleton College
2005 - Pam Matti, U of MN-CEHD
2004 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2003 - Ed Stubblefield, College of St. Benedict
2002 - Sharon Kurt, U of MN-CSE
2001 - Lynn Johnson, Moorhead State University
2000 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
1999 - Pat Smith, St. Olaf College
1998 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Aldolphus College
1997 - Rich Murray, St. Cloud State University
1996 - Steve Koller, University of St. Thomas
1995 - Julie Westlund, U of MN-Duluth
1992 - David Hendel, Minnesota State University, Mankato
1989 - Marilyn Hill, Carleton College
1988 - Walt Larson, St. Cloud State University
1987 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota-Morris
1986 - Barbara Rockwell
1985 - Chuck Kirby
1983 - Sister Mary Hicks
1982 - Mel Schmitz, Moorhead State University
1981 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota-Morris
1979 - Pat Olsson


This may not be a complete list of all award recipients dating back to the start of MCUCSA. Please email the MCUCSA Secretary with additions.