Since 1964, NACUA has honored individuals in higher education law. The NACUA honors and awards program is a well-respected and time-honored tradition that ensures the acknowledgement of those who have dedicated their service to advancing the effective practice of higher education attorneys. In addition to their demonstrated commitment to NACUA's mission and strategic goals, these individuals have modeled NACUA's core values. Honored recipients are conferred awards including: Distinguished Service, First Decade, Life Member, Fellow, and Honorary Member. The Call for Awards is released in January of each year.
NACUA congratulates all honorees who have worked to advance the profession of higher education law. They are honored each year at the annual conference's Honors and Awards Ceremony.
2025 Honors & Awards Recipients
FIRST DECADE AWARD
BRANDYN J. HICKS, Associate General Counsel, Johns Hopkins University
DARRYL W. LUNON, II, Senior Counsel to the General Counsel, Vanderbilt University
ALEXANDRA A. MITROPOULUS, Deputy General Counsel, Berklee College of Music, & Senior Counsel, Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP
DR. JANELLE RAMSEL, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Regis University
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
PAMELA BERNARD, Former Vice President & General Counsel (Retired), Duke University
NELSON G. DONG, Former Partner (Retired), Dorsey & Whitney LLP
EILEEN GOLDGEIER, Former Vice President & General Counsel (Retired), Brown University
SHELLEY SANDERS KEHL, Former Member (Retired), Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
LAURA TODD JOHNSON, Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, University of Arizona
JANET JUDGE, Partner, Education & Sports Law Group
STEPHEN J. OWENS, Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP
STEPHEN D. SENCER, Counsel, Ropes & Gray LLP