Honoring excellence: Fall 2026 Student Affairs award recipients announced

Student Affairs recently recognized two outstanding staff members with its semi-annual Chambers-Reid and Freeman Awards. Kristina James received the Chambers-Reid Award for Professional Excellence, and Sean White received the Freeman Award for Professional Excellence. The awards celebrate these staff members for their dedication and service to the William & Mary community. 

Chambers-Reid Award for Professional Excellence: Kristina James 

Created in 1994, the Chambers-Reid Award recognizes superior performance by a member of the Student Affairs professional staff. It honors the service of Jay L. Chambers and Harriet E. Reid, two driven professionals whose combined careers at the university left a memorable mark on Student Affairs and whose impact is still felt in student life today. 

Despite staff shortages last year, Kristina James, assistant director for client services at Student Unions & Engagement, brought stability to the department's student hiring program, supported office moves, helped her department set a record of rooms reserved and kept everything on schedule and running smoothly. 

Additionally, James has actively engaged with the William & Mary community, serving on the Inclusive Excellence, Juneteenth, and Charter Day committees. A recognized Inclusive Excellence Champion, James also served as co-chair of the Celebrations Committee where she organized popular events like the “dip-off” and “souper bowl.” On top of her extensive involvement in Student Affairs, James managed to stay in class and graduate with her master’s degree in May. 

“Her exemplary service through this time of unusual challenge has proven yet again that she is dedicated and selflessly committed to her profession, our divisions, and William & Mary,” her nominator wrote. 

Freeman Award for Professional Excellence: Sean White 

The Freeman Award was created in 1998 to celebrate exceptional performance of an administrative professional in Student Affairs. The award honors the service, dedication and spirit of Teresa L. (“Pete”) Freeman, whose legendary, decades-long career in the Office of the Dean of Students and later in the Office of Student Affairs has gone down in history. 

As Housing Coordinator for Residence Life, Sean White supports departmental operations, concerned students or parents and over 175 Residence Life student employees. In his role, he helps with the day-to-day assignment and occupancy processes that are essential to Residence Life operations. He exemplifies extraordinary organization, attention to detail, responsiveness, creativity, and genuine care to his interactions with others. 

His nominator wrote, “He is a trusted resource, a steady presence, and a person who genuinely cares about the experience of the people he serves.” 

Together, Sean White and Kristina James exemplify the spirit of the Chambers-Reid and Freeman Awards, carrying forward the legacy of diligence and student-centered service that strengthen the community.