LS NEWS | May 16, 2022
Liberal Studies extends its congratulations to Billy Helton and Stephanie Santiago, 2021-2022 recipients of NYU’s Give-A-Violet and Distinguished Administrator Awards!
The Give-A-Violet award recognizes members of the NYU community for demonstrating excellence in areas including integrity, respect, customer focus, teamwork, adaptability, and diversity. Recipients of the award take accountability, appreciate others in a professional setting, demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion, encourage feedback and growth, set a positive example, and inspire the NYU community.
During his nearly 25-year NYU career, Helton has steadily embodied the essence of the Give-A-Violet Award by consistently rising above and beyond the normal scope of his position and exceptionally demonstrating NYU’s values. Receiving his M.S. from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Billy is currently the Liberal Studies Associate Dean of Fiscal Affairs and Administration. In this position, he oversees Liberal Studies’ fiscal and administrative operations. Nominated to receive the Give-A-Violet Award by an overwhelming number of the NYU community, Helton is an essential and much appreciated member of the NYU and LS community. We thank him for all that he does and once again congratulate him on his accomplishment!
The Distinguished Administrator Award recognizes outstanding administrators and professionals in the NYU community. The nominees of this award must excel in adaptability to circumstances that increase productivity and efficiency, service, impacting the university in a positive way, producing respectful and inclusive interactions, demonstrating honesty, committing to values of inclusion and inspiring leadership, innovation, and/or participating in voluntary community service that reflects NYU’s values.
Stephanie Santiago demonstrates all of these qualities and much more. An NYU alumni (CAS ‘99), Santiago is the Assistant Director of Advising, Transition and Academic Excellence in LS. Additionally, she serves as a Global Liberal Studies first year advisor with a caseload of over 280 students. Still, she extends her support to students not assigned to her. K. Kosugiyama, a student who has experienced Santiago’s outstanding compassion, says of her, “My life at NYU, which has been filled with enormous support, recognition, and opportunities would not be possible without [Stephanie]. How different my experiences as a GLS student would have been without her guidance.” Once again, congratulations to Stephanie Santiago for receiving the Distinguished Administrator Award for her service to the NYU community!