What does it mean to be a Loper? It's different. Lopers are involved and connected, and actively taking part in their learning.
Friendly and welcoming
At UNK, students support each other. We make each other feel accepted and included. Often, people know your name and smile and wave as you walk by. That’s the UNK difference.
Get involved in what matters
Be proactive. There are more than 150 active student organizations at UNK.
Student Affairs honors the diverse contributions of staff, faculty, and community stakeholders through various recognition awards, programs, and grant opportunities. Whether honoring supporting friends of Student Affairs, or current staff and faculty, we value each person’s unique contributions to Student Affairs and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. It is through opportunity and the extraordinary accomplishments of many that we lay the foundation for future Lopers.
2024 Recipient Douglas Kristensen, Chancellor
2022 Recipient Charlie Bicak, Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs
2019 Recipient Ed Scantling,Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Services and Enrollment Management
2018 Recipient AlanWedige,Campus Architect
2017 Recipient Jon Watts, Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance
The Student Affairs Partnership Award is presented to individuals, groups, or departments outside the Division of Student Affairs that have collaboratively contributed to fostering a successful experience for a UNK student or group of students through their partnership with our division
2025 Recipient CRM Team (Lacy Chramosta, Amanda Andresen, Lydia Pierson, Susan Kuta, Austin Edeal, Venkatesh Namachivayam)
2024 Recipient UNK Communications and Marketing
2023 Recipient First Scholars Team (Kyle Means, Jen Harvey, Keri Treadway, John Gibbs, Kim Seitler, Abel Virgilio)
2022 Recipient Beth Hinga, Assistant to Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs
2021 Recipient Jennifer Harvey, Director, Thompson Scholars
2019 Recipients BrandonDrozd, Program Coordinator, Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center
2018 Recipients UNK Math Department Dr. Matthew Mims, Associate Professor, Counseling and School Psychology
2017 Recipients Jim Davis, Director of UNK Police Bryan Scherbarth, Director of UNK Dining
The award for Outstanding Student Affairs Professional is presented an individual that has a minimum of five years post graduate (bachelor’s or master’s) experience; positively contributes and impacts their office, the Division of Student Affairs, and the UNK campus community; dedicated to fostering their professional development, aiming to advance the mission of both Student Affairs and UNK; demonstrates commitment to Student Affairs; develops mentoring relationships with colleagues across the division
2025 Recipient Matt Allbright, Associate Director of Operations, Residence Life
The award for Outstanding New Professional is presented to an individual that has no more than three years of post-graduate (bachelor’s or master’s) experience working within the Division of Student Affairs; positively contributes and impacts their office, the Division of Student Affairs, and the UNK campus community; dedicated to fostering their professional development, aiming to advance the mission of both Student Affairs and UNK; demonstrates commitment to Student Affairs.
2025 Recipient Quaid Anthony, Residence Hall Coordinator, Residence Life
2024 Recipient Sally Wiarda, CARE Team Manager and Wellbeing Educator, Student Health & Counseling
2023 Recipient Abel Virgilio, Kearney Bound Coordinator, Academic Success
2022 Recipient Kate DeBard, Residence Hall Coordinator of URN/URS
2021 Recipient Renae Zimmer, Assistant Director of Student & Family Transition & Leadership, Student Engagement
2019 Recipient Abbi Hanson,Residence Hall Coordinator of URN/URS
2018 Recipient Andrew Winscot, Assistant Director, Campus Recreation
2017 Recipient Travis Buchanan, Residence Hall Coordinator, URS/URN
The award for Outstanding Support Staff is presented an individual that serves in a support staff role within the Division of Student Affairs; positively contributes and impacts their office, the Division of Student Affairs, and the UNK campus community; dedicated to fostering their professional development, aiming to advance the missions of both Student Affairs and UNK; demonstrates exceptional attention to detail while consistently exceeding job expectations.
2022 Recipient Rebecca Doubet, Business Manager, Residence Life
2021 Recipient Sandra Heiden, Office Associate, Residence Life
2019 Recipient Brenda Rodehorst, Office Assistant, Counseling
2018 Recipient Rebecca Doubet, Business Manager, Residence Life
2017 Recipient Sandra Heiden, Office Associate, Residence Life
The award for Outstanding Graduate Assistant is presented an individual that has no more than three years of post-graduate (bachelor’s or master’s) experience working within the Division of Student Affairs; positively contributes and impacts their office, the Division of Student Affairs, and the UNK campus community; dedicated to fostering their professional development, aiming to advance the mission of both Student Affairs and UNK; demonstrates commitment to Student Affairs.
2025 Recipient Logan Lovejoy, Graduate Assistant, Residence Life
2024 Recipient Kalen Krauntz, Graduate Assistant, Tutoring & Academic Support
2023 Recipient Alex Hof, Graduate Assistant, Residence Life
2022 Recipient Francesca Castillo, Graduate Assistant, Residence Life
2021 Recipient Anfernee Covarrubias Linares, Graduate Assistant, Residence Life
2019 Recipient Tim Standifer, Graduate Assistant, Campus Recreation
Life as a Loper
Friendly and welcoming
Get involved in what matters
