York is U has done it again. The multi-award-winning student alumni program of York University received two more international awards at the Association of Student Advancement Programs (ASAP) Network Convention in Portland, Oregon on Aug. 14. ASAP brings together student alumni organizations from more than 300 of the top institutions of higher learning throughout North America and the world.
York is U received the Outstanding Web Site Award for its Web site, www.yorkisu.ca, and the Outstanding Advisor Award for its advisor, Jeremy Greenberg.
Right: Jeremy Greenberg
"York is U, York's student alumni program, is an integral part of the University's alumni strategy," said Naguib Gouda, executive director, Alumni and Advancement Services. "We consider every student to be an alumna or alumnus on their very first day at York and this program allows each one of them to experience the most wonderful aspects of being part of the York family throughout their time here.
"The York is U members, volunteers and executive will soon form one of the most positive and involved alumni chapters we have – one that will continue to grow and will always remain involved. The diversity of this team is a true reflection of York. York is U is helping to build a great foundation for our 50th anniversary celebration four years from now."
Judges evaluated the York is U Web site on design, the objective of the site and the use of available resources. It was awarded Outstanding Web Site for successfully meeting these criteria, having designed a Web resource that promotes the organization's events, programs and meetings as they relate to its mission. The York is U Web site, officially launched in the summer of 2003, has previously won the ASAP District 2 Award for Most Outstanding Web Site (last February in Buffalo).
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"The Web site is very comprehensive," said Jeremy Greenberg, advisor to York is U. "It was designed to be user-friendly and it has served our purpose and mission well. The site was created by Chris Luckhardt, York is U's Web master in 2003, and our volunteers maintain it. It reflects everything that is York is U.
"We are all very excited by the award. Last year we really blew the roof off the ASAP Conference and this year we did the same thing. Some of the big US schools were really amazed and they were very enthusiastic about York is U," said Greenberg. "These awards are great for York is U and for York University. All of the 300 volunteers feel a great sense of ownership for the organization and these awards are truly for everyone."
The Outstanding Advisor Award takes into consideration the candidate's description of job responsibilities, past accomplishments and letters of recommendation. Greenberg, the coordinator of student alumni programs for Alumni and Advancement Services, was granted the honour for his dedication in ensuring the success of York is U and the students who comprise it. According to ASAP records, Greenberg is the youngest advisor to win the award. He is also the first individual to have received the Outstanding Student Leader Award (2002) and the Outstanding Advisor Award (2003) in back-to-back years. Greenberg had won the Outstanding Student Leader Award for the successful creation of York is U back when he was a student.
"Working with Jeremy is fun and never dull," said Gouda. "His endless level of energy is only surpassed by his genuine love for York. This is what makes him perfectly suited for his role."
York is U has won more awards (both internationally and at the district level) than any other student alumni program over the last two years. Since York is U’s inception in 2002, the program has earned 11 awards, including six ASAP awards and two awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
"I was shocked when I heard we won this award," said Greenberg. "As far as I know, no other student alumni program has won all of these awards. It really says a lot about the spirit and pride we are trying to build at York University through York is U.
"We have a long way to go, I want York is U to reach every student at York University. We have adopted a best practices approach. We are constantly looking to our volunteers to help us develop new and innovative ways to make all York students feel connected to the University."