CLEVELAND – The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) has announced its 2024 Award Recipients for its Model Practices, Dr. Gerald S. Gurney Research, Distinguished Service, Lan Hewlett, Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise, Professional Excellence, and The Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development. The winners were formally recognized during the 2024 N4A Convention.

Model Practices Award
The Model Practices Award is presented annually to a university or college in the area of student-athlete development that displays best practices in their academic and student-athlete development programming.

The 2024 Award Recipient:
University of Arizona - Elevating Leaders in Team Environments (ELITE)- Student-Athlete Development
University of Pittsburgh - H.A.I.L Program - Academics

Dr. Gerald S. Gurney Research Award
The Dr. Gerald S. Gurney Research Award is presented to raise awareness for the need for updated research on educating and serving student-athletes every year. Two (2) recipients are selected each year. One for Student-Athlete Development/Life Skills and the other for all other research related to the academics profession.

The 2024 Award Recipients:
Isaiah Simmons - University of Southern California - Student-Athlete Development
Scott Hovey - University of Missouri - Academics

Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an N4A member whose contributions to the organization are above and beyond the normal service required by positions of leadership. They must have served in a N4A leadership position at the regional or national level and have made significant contributions that are recognized by N4A peers. They must also have continuous N4A membership for five years.

The 2024 Award Recipient:
Dr. Lisa Rubin - Kansas State University

Lan Hewlett Award
This award is named in honor of Mr. Lan Hewlett, a long-time advisor at the University of Texas, who is generally acknowledged as the first to provide academic support services to student-athletes. The Lan Hewlett Award is given annually to a current member, nominated by an industry colleague or their institution, who has made significant contributions to the field of student-athlete academic support. They must exhibit merited stature among and support from student-athletes, faculty, coaches, and fellow administrators. Included in the criteria is a high level of competency in administrative skills, innovative response in meeting varied and emerging needs of student-athletes, effective development of junior staff, leadership in university affairs, and significant contributions to the field through publications or professional development.

The 2024 Award Recipient:
Jack Rivas - UC Santa Barbara

Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award
The Kenneth O. Miles Professional Promise Award honors "new" professionals who serve student-athletes and have dedicated their energy to the Association and its mission. One recipient is named in each N4A region annually. Candidates need to have been an N4A member for more than one year but less than five years.

This award was renamed in honor of the 2016-17 N4A President, Kenneth Miles. Miles, who passed away suddenly on August 15, 2020, at the age of 49, was a transformational leader, who had a passion for mentoring young professionals, and an innate ability to connect with others.

The 2024 Award Recipients:
REGION I: Patty Medina, American University
REGION II: Makayla Nichols  JMU
REGION III: Lorenda Holston, University of Iowa
REGION IV: Scottlyn Cottrell, University of Oklahoma
REGION V: Mya Johnson, Oregon State University

Professional Excellence Award
Given to one member from each region annually, the N4A Professional Excellence Award honors professionals with 6 to 15 years in the field. The recipients of the award will have active N4A involvement at the regional and/or national level and shown commitment to improving their department, often going above and beyond the tasks/responsibilities outlined in their job descriptions. They must also have the ability to meet their students' needs and address critical issues within athletics and/or the campus community while being well respected and viewed as leaders/mentors among their colleagues in the industry.

The 2024 Award Recipients:
REGION I: Krista Chmielewski, Villanova University
REGION II: Christina Ruffin, Norfolk State University
REGION III: Alexandra Sommer, The Ohio State University
REGION IV: Grace Chamberlain, University of Colorado
REGION V: Jessica Goerke. UC Santa Barbara

The Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development
The Award for Innovation & Impact in Student-Athlete Development is given to a current member, nominated by an industry colleague or their institution, who made significant contributions to the field of student-athlete development through years of service, publications, professional development, and effective development of junior staff. This award honors the innovators and barrier breakers who have pushed the narrative and scope of student-athlete development and their overall effectiveness to serve and lead in the student-athlete development space.

The 2024 Award Recipient:
Dr. Kristina Navarro-Krupka- Awarded posthumously