Skip to main content
Honoring excellence: Fall 2025 Chambers-Reid and Freeman Award recipients announced
Student Affairs recently recognized two outstanding staff members with its semi-annual Chambers-Reid and Freeman Awards, celebrating their dedication and service to our community. Melissa “Mel” Noble received the Chambers-Reid Award for Professional Excellence, and Jennifer “Jenn” Barnes was honored with the Freeman Award for Professional Excellence.
Chambers Reid Award: Melissa “Mel” Noble
The Chambers-Reid Award was created in 1994 to recognize superior performance by a member of the professional staff in Student Affairs. The award honors the service of Jay L. Chambers and Harriet E. Reid, two dedicated professionals whose combined careers at William & Mary left an indelible mark on Student Affairs and whose impact can still be felt in student life today.
Mel Noble, Coordinator of Research and Outreach Programming for the Counseling Center, has led the center’s prevention and outreach efforts with energy, creativity, and dedication. In addition to her clinical and supervisory responsibilities, Mel volunteers to facilitate programs and initiates creative programming that reflects her deep understanding of student wellness and engagement.
Mel’s collaborative spirit allows her to build bridges and foster meaningful relationships within and beyond Student Affairs. Her work is grounded in the belief that holistic care requires shared effort and responsibility.
Mel’s nominator wrote, “Beyond her formal roles as therapist, supervisor, and outreach leader, Mel brings a unique and uplifting energy to every space she enters. At the heart of all her work is a deep and solid commitment to students.”
Freeman Award: Jennifer “Jenn” Barnes
The Freeman Award was created in 1998 to celebrate outstanding performance by an administrative professional in Student Affairs. The award honors the service, dedication, and spirit of Teresa L. (“Pete”) Freeman, whose decades-long career in the Office of the Dean of Students and subsequently in the Office of Student Affairs is considered legendary.
Jenn Barnes, Administrative Coordinator for Care Support Services, often goes above and beyond to support staff and students. Her dedication extends beyond Care Support Services across Student Success and all of Student Affairs. In her role, Jenn promotes efficiency, positivity, and collaboration. Jenn is a go-to resource for staff from other departments for planning events, finding solutions, and sharing her knowledge of processes.
Jenn’s day-to-day includes critical work such as de-escalating emotional phone calls, connecting students to resources during stressful situations, and managing walk-in traffic at the front desk. Her helpful spirit and desire to learn have allowed her to grow into new responsibilities on the Care Support Services team.
Jenn’s nominator wrote, “She is a welcoming beam of positivity for anyone who comes to the office, and she makes a meaningful difference to the staff and many students she supports.”
Together, Mel Noble and Jenn Barnes exemplify the spirit of the Chambers-Reid and Freeman Awards, carrying forward the legacy of excellence, dedication, and student-centered service that strengthen our community.