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