Kelsee Brady, Campus Carrier Staff Writer

Berry’s Chief of Staff Debbie Heida received a national award from The National Association of Student Affairs Administration (NASPA), naming her “A Pillar of the Profession” due to her dedication and commitment to students and higher education.

NASPA is an organization that recognizes important individuals who have both served in leadership roles within student affairs and have been nominated by colleagues, students, friends, or student organizations, according to NASPA’s website.

Heida has previously worked for 14 years as the vice president of student affairs and dean of students.

Her work during those 14 years led to the first nomination for the award.

“I was first nominated by a former student who now works in Student Affairs,” Heida said.

The national recognition was humbling, according to Heida, who also received multiple nominations from other colleagues and students.

Both Heida and Provost Mary Boyd could not recall any other Berry faculty member ever receiving this award from NASPA.

Provost Mary K. Boyd also congratulated Heida on her award.

“This is really a well deserved recognition for Debbie Heida and the fine work that she has done both at Berry College, but also at the national level in helping to promote the profession and contributing to the professional development of other professionals within student affairs.”

Heida will be receiving the national award in March at the NASPA Annual Convention in Los Angeles, Calif.