SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Here is what Stan’s nominators said about him:

 “Stan Jackson, Faculty Advisor to the Arch Society, has been my supervisor since August 2023. Over the past seven months, Stan has taught me a great deal and significantly eased my transition to Athens and the University of Georgia. Each week, the Arch Society Executive Committee and advisors meet to discuss upcoming events and membership updates. When questions arise, whether we are planning an event or have a concern about a member, Stan consistently centers us around the purpose of the Arch Society by ensuring what we are planning or questioning both serves the University of Georgia and promotes the well-being of our members. He reminds us to keep things simple and focus on the core mission of the organization, to humbly serve the University of Georgia as campus hosts and goodwill ambassadors. I have been fortunate to witness Stan engage with and prioritize Arch students by focusing on their needs and empowering them to rise to challenges. Whether an Arch Society student is in crisis or just wants to have a conversation, Stan makes time to listen, encourage, and support. Recently, many Arch Society members have looked to Stan as a source of reassurance, comfort, positivity, and motivation. During Arch Society general body meetings, it is not uncommon for multiple Arch members to give Stan a shoutout at the end of the meeting. It is evident that he is well-respected and appreciated amongst Arch students, and he has dedicated many hours this school year to ensuring Arch Society is functioning as it was originally intended to. Through my direct supervision from Stan, I have gained conflict management skills and learned how to be tactical and prioritize responsibilities. When I have questions, Stan perfectly balances challenge and support. He challenges me to think deeper about things while also giving me the tools, resources, and guidance I need to be successful. He has honest conversations with me about my professional areas of growth as I aim to become a successful student affairs professional. Stan has provided me with many opportunities to engage with the Division of Student Affairs and the UGA community, and he has helped me become acquainted with Athens by sharing his knowledge of the city. Stan is always eager to help me achieve my personal and professional goals, and I am extremely grateful to have him as my supervisor. My experience at UGA is made better because of his supervision, and I believe I speak for all the Arch Society when I say that. Stan is passionate about the experience students are getting at the University of Georgia, and he works hard to ensure that experience is positive and maximized. The Arch Society and myself are fortunate to have Stan Jackson as our supervisor, and I believe he is well deserving of the 2023-2024 Supervisor of the Year Award.”

“Anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with Stan Jackson knows he is a person of incredible character. He is profoundly kind, professional, level-headed, and a master of his craft. His consistent dedication to his work, his students, and the institution are obvious through every interaction. Stan leaves you feeling assured by his sound counsel and his action— Stan always does what he says he’ll do. Yet, what truly sets Stan apart is his role as a supervisor. Within this capacity, each of his already exceptional qualities become that much richer. Stan approaches each day with a blend of strength, strategic acumen, and an abundance of interpersonal skills. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly nominate Stan Jackson for Supervisor of the Year. Stan always prioritizes the well-being of his team members. He cultivates a work environment steeped in positivity— whether it’s through lending a helping hand with our workload, being readily available, ensuring each member has what they need, telling a bad joke, surprising the office with treats, or simply offering a compassionate ear. Stan strikes an impressive balance between professionalism with his staff, while understanding the humanity in each of us. He meets those needs with a lot of grace. He invests himself so deeply in the personal and professional growth of everyone on his team. Personally, Stan has been instrumental in my development by not just offering advice but also taking the time to explain new perspectives— thankfully he is always willing to answer any question I throw at him. His encouragement over the past year has empowered me to embrace my role as a content expert in my field. His guidance has been a pivotal part of my success. From making big content shifts in our social media strategy (doubling our Instagram followers within six months), to small shifts like optimizing SMS send times (gaining more event attendance), any success I had in my role can be directly attributed to Stan and his leadership. Moreover, he consistently advocates for me and our team, actively seeking out opportunities that will further our career trajectory. He constantly keeps his finger on the pulse of what will elevate each individual staff member—whether it’s earning advanced certificates or getting us the most effective tools. For me, he has made it a point to make introductions with those he believes will further benefit me, recommend me for committees, and has even asked me to co-teach and co-speak with him on multiple occasions. What truly astounds me is Stan’s unwavering commitment to serving not only his team but also colleagues, students, and campus partners. Being close to his office, I’ve witnessed firsthand how he selflessly invests himself in meeting the needs of others. Over the past decade, he has quietly and consistently contributed to the welfare of the division, without seeking recognition. Stan’s remarkable empathy for his team members sets him apart as a supervisor of exceptional caliber. Stan’s compassion, mentorship, and unwavering support leaves a lasting mark on all who have the privilege of working alongside him.”