Three College of Education staff members honored Dean’s Leadership Award at Spring Awards Ceremony

Three staff members received a special honor at the Auburn University College of Education’s 44^th Annual Spring Awards Ceremony earlier this month in recognition of their hard work and dedication to building a better future for all.

Cassie Boze, Kelly Buckingham and David Shamp were each honored with the Dean’s Leadership Award from Dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor Jeffrey T. Fairbrother. The three awardees were among a total of 19 others —including faculty, staff and students—to be honored in multiple categories.

In presenting the Dean’s Leadership Awards, Fairbrother offered the following to the recipients: “Our college and its impact in the world is made better because of your enormous efforts in amplifying our mission through your hard work.”

Boze, who serves as the College of Education’s Information Technology manager, said she works with a talented team that’s focused on providing the college with high-quality IT service and support. She has been working in the College of Education since January 2019.

“It’s pretty awesome to have your work acknowledged alongside talented folks in a room full of talented folks,” she said. “I appreciate and value the support I have received for my work. I have good mentors. I serve and work with people who are kind and patient as my team, and I find ways to meet the needs of the College of Education. I feel grateful to be the person who gets to do my job.”

Susan Bannon, director of the college’s Learning Resource Center, said she’s grateful for
Boze and her contributions.

"I am proud of Cassie for being recognized with a Dean's Leadership Award,” Bannon said. “Cassie's leadership is an example of her impact, influence, and inspiration to get results. Cassie exhibits a passion for her work, and she inspires the IT team to provide quality service and support. Cassie is a leader who is open to new ideas, and we all benefit from her leadership."

Another invaluable leader in the college is Buckingham, who serves as the development support specialist in the college’s Office of Advancement. She has been working to build and maintain meaningful relationships with College of Education donors and alumni for 16 years.

“Receiving the Dean’s Leadership Award was an unexpected but deeply meaningful moment for me,” she said. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Dean Fairbrother, and I’m truly grateful. This award is not just about me—it reflects the dedication, collaboration and passion of the Advancement team I'm lucky to be part of.”

Molly McNulty, the college’s director of development in the college, works closely with Buckingham and said she is a vital contributor to the office’s success.

“Kelly is so deserving of this award as she has, for over 15 years, helped build the foundation for alumni and donor relations within the College of Education and continues to be critical to the success of our efforts,” she said.

Shamp, the third Dean’s Leadership Award winner, is the student services coordinator and the advisor to the College of Education Student Ambassadors Program. Among other duties, he oversees all undergraduate recruiting, works with prospective students and their families and visits various high schools to aid in recruiting. He also serves as the college’s scholarship administrator.

"I was not expecting to receive the Dean's Leadership Award and am deeply honored to be recognized,” Shamp said. “Supporting the College of Education as the recruiter, scholarship administrator, and advisor for the Student Ambassadors has been immensely rewarding.  I am thankful that my work has been considered worthy of recognition.  It makes me feel that the work I do for the college is impactful, which drives me to continue to serve the college and Auburn University. As we make the move to our new building I am looking forward to continuing to support the college."

Jared Russell, the College of Education’s associate dean for academic and faculty affairs, said Shamp plays a key role in growing the college.

“David Shamp’s focus on implementing high-impact student recruitment and events has directly impacted the COE’s ability to successfully recruit the best and brightest to our college,” he said.

More information about the Spring Awards Ceremony and additional honorees can be found online.