Select Page

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will honor this year’s recipients of the Academic Staff Awards for Excellence July 15 in Madison. This is the UW System’s highest recognition bestowed on members of its academic staff.

The 2011 recipients, including two individuals and one program, are:

  • Joseph Abhold, Director of Counseling Center, UW-Oshkosh. Since joining the UW-Oshkosh staff in 1999, Abhold has played a significant role in campus-wide student success and retention activities, including the use of assessments to help identify high-risk students. In addition to the Counseling Center, Dr. Abhold oversees the University Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) program, Campus Violence Prevention and Advocacy Program, and is co-chair of the UW-Oshkosh Students At Risk Response Team. Abhold chaired a recent UW System-wide Mental Health Task Force that was responsible for modifying Regents’ mental health policies to better meet the needs of students. Last year, the Counseling Center provided 289 outreach and training programs for more than 9,200 people on campus. It also provided over 4,100 therapy hours. A colleague describes Abhold as “one of the most ardent advocates for students that I know.

“We are honored to recognize this year’s recipients of the Academic Staff Excellence Awards,” said Regent John Drew, chair of the Regents’ award selection committee. “These winners are a tribute to the outstanding effort, creativity, and all-around dedication of UW System academic staff members who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to help our students succeed and our Wisconsin communities become stronger.”

Each winner receives a $5,000 award for professional development to enhance their program or function. Academic staff members and programs from each of the 15 UW institutions were nominated for this year’s awards. In addition to Drew, award committee members included Regent Stan Davis, Regent Brent Smith, Regent José Vásquez and Regent Betty Womack.

To read about the other recipients recognized, visit www.wisconsin.edu/news/2011/r110708.htm.

Read more: