Dr. Melissa Shivers Honored by the Southern Association for College Student Affairs
October 14, 2024
Student Life Senior Vice President Dr. Melissa Shivers has been named to the 2024 Gavel and Gravel Society of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA.) The award goes to those who have made exceptional contributions to the profession and have left an “enduring and indelible mark not only on our field but also within the SACSA community.”
A past president of SACSA, Dr. Shivers was selected as one of this year’s recipients for her exemplary endeavors that serve as an inspiration to her peers and future generations within the academic and professional landscape.
Dr. Shivers has dedicated her nearly 30-year career in higher education to removing barriers to student and staff success, serving her community and contributing to the world in ways that help to advance the health, safety and security of others.
The honorees of the Gavel and Gravel Society have demonstrated a profound commitment to advancing the realms of student affairs and higher education, showcasing a dedication that aligns seamlessly with the core values and mission of the SACSA Foundation.
SACSA is an independent, regional and generalist association designed for the professional development of practitioners, educators and students engaged in the student affairs profession. The organization is committed to fostering a community of excellence and innovation in student affairs and higher education.
SACSA’s mission is to provide opportunities for professional development; scholarship, research, and ethical practice; and understanding of issues impacting students and the student affairs profession, while fostering our core values of inclusiveness, professionalism and collegiality.
In addition to Dr. Shivers, other Gavel and Gravel Society honorees this year are Dr. Ann Bailey, Senior Executive Search Consultant with Greenwood Asher and Associate; Dr. Deb Kladivko, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Spartanburg (SC); Dr. Diane “Daisy” Waryold, Professor Emeritus at Appalachian State University; Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, President of California State University San Marcos; and Dr. Suzanne Gordon, retired.