Georgia Southern University’s Office of Student Activities earns Gold Award from NASPA
The Office of Student Activities (OSA) at Georgia Southern University has received the Gold Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) for some of its student programming for advancing student leadership and engagement.
The Student and Organization Leadership Development (SOLD) Workshop Series received the Gold Award in the Fraternity and Sorority Life, Leadership, Student Activities, Student Union, and related category of the 2026 NASPA Excellence Awards.
The SOLD Workshop Series is a free leadership development program designed for students to help cultivate the next generation of campus and community leaders. Offered during the fall and spring semesters, the series provides high-impact learning opportunities for students across all majors and classifications who want to strengthen their personal leadership skills, prepare for roles within student organizations, and contribute meaningfully to the University and broader community.
“The SOLD Workshop Series reflects the Division of Student Affairs and Georgia Southern’s commitment to developing career-ready leaders who will positively impact their communities,” said Memory Littles, director of OSA. “The program is aligned with the University’s SACSCOC Quality Enhancement Plan, the National Association of Colleges and Employers career readiness competencies, NASPA’s professional competencies and several other strategic priorities. We are honored that NASPA has recognized the work being done at Georgia Southern to empower students through leadership education and engagement.”
Championed by Littles and Cat Hoopaugh, associate director of OSA, the series is additionally supported by all of OSA’s team members, and connects faculty, staff, community members and Georgia Southern alumni to current students.
The workshop series was selected for its outstanding impact on student leadership development and campus engagement. Since its pilot launch, the SOLD Workshop Series has educated tens of thousands of Georgia Southern students, building a strong culture of leadership and involvement across each of our campuses. Over the past five years alone, more than 15,500 students have participated in SOLD workshops, reflecting the program’s broad reach and sustained impact, said Hoopaugh.
As part of this recognition, Littles and Hoopaugh were invited to present the SOLD Workshop Series at the 2026 NASPA National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in March, where they shared the program’s model and impact with higher education professionals from across the globe.
The NASPA Excellence Awards represent one of the most respected recognitions in the field of Student Affairs, honoring innovative and high-impact programs that transform student experiences in higher education around the world. The national recognition from NASPA underscores OSA’s dedication to fostering student success through innovative programming and leadership education.