Selection criteria include:

• Nominees must have held the position of presidential assistant for a higher education institution or organization.
• Preference will be given to nominees who have been members of and played an active role in NAPAHE.
• Nominees must have achieved a professional milestone or accomplishment that is viewed by the Board of Directors as significant and worthy of recognition. In addition, the nominees' achievement should be consistent with the mission of NAPAHE.

This year's winner is someone who has served as a Presidential Assistant for a large part of his career and been a part of NAPAHE for many years including service on the NAPAHE Board of Directors. As one of his colleagues wrote, "He has served as mentor to everyone who encountered him in NAPAHE and played a significant role in helping many of our colleagues grow and strengthen in their roles on their respective campuses." He has also been a presenter at these conferences on numerous occasions, either as a breakout session leader or as a roundtable facilitator. During his board service he consistently brought a great deal of insight and perspective to the table on a wide range of issues and was quick to volunteer to chair or work on various sub committees.

A true expert on presidential assistants, this person wrote Managing the President's Office, one of the chapters in the book "Other Duties as Assigned" which was published last year and, I may add, he was very qualified to write such a chapter because he served as Chief of Staff to the President and Board of Trustees of William Patterson University in New Jersey. He recently stepped down from that position following his president's retirement last year, and is currently working in another area at his institution. But true to form, he has once again stepped forward and volunteered to present at this year's conference.

On behalf of the NAPAHE Board of Directors, it is my sincere pleasure and honor to award Dr. Marc Schaeffer, the NAPAHE Award for Professional Achievement.