Student Life

UWF Vice President of Student Affairs recognized as Pillar of the Profession

University of West Florida Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Kevin Bailey, was recently recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Foundation as a 2015 “Pillar of the Profession.” This distinguished award is designed to recognize outstanding members of the student affairs and higher education community through the Pillars of the Profession.

I am surprised and humbled to receive this recognition from my peers,” Bailey said. “It is certainly a great feeling when the work you’ve been doing for more than 20 years is noticed by others.”

The Pillars award is designed to honor individuals who have served as teachers, leaders and scholars in the field who sustained professional distinction in the higher education field, as defined by donors and supporters; served in leadership roles in NASPA, either regionally or nationally; are recognized or remembered by colleagues, friends, students or student organizations for extraordinary service; and have significant lifetime contributions to the higher education field.

Bailey serves on the NASPA Foundation Board and has held a variety of roles within the organization. His previous involvement includes serving as a faculty member for the Aspiring Senior Student Affairs Officers Institute, a member of the Region III Advisory Board, NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Mentor, a member of the 2003 conference planning team and facilitator of the African American Male Summit. Bailey also co-authored a chapter in the NASPA publication, Beginning your journey: A Guide for New Professionals in Student Affairs.

Bailey provides leadership and oversight for the formulation, coordination and implementation of university-wide policies, programs and services related to the personal, cultural and general welfare of the student body outside the classroom. He has been in student affairs for more than 20 years and has worked at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bowling Green State University, Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University before assuming his role at UWF in August 2010.

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. They serve a full range of professionals who provide programs, experiences and services that cultivate student learning and success in concert with the mission of our colleges and universities. Established in 1918 and founded in 1919, NASPA is comprised of 13,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. Territories.

To learn more about the NASPA Foundation’s Pillar of the Profession Award, visit http://www.naspa.org/foundation/pillars-of-the-profession.