Jaime Russell

Jaime Russell, director of student community engagement at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has been honored by North Carolina Campus Engagement as the 2023 Civic Engagement Professional of the Year, according to a news release.

"The award recognizes an administrator at an NCCE member campus who has worked for the institutionalization of service, fostered a campus-wide vision of service, supported faculty and students and formed innovative campus-community partnerships," the releease stated.

UNCW Chancellor Aswani Volety was on hand at NCCE’s annual Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement Conference to formally deliver the honor, according to the release.

Since arriving at UNCW in 2012, Russell "has been a driving force behind efforts to engage students in community service and civic engagement opportunities, developing the Community Engagement Essentials Training and an interactive workshop series on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She serves as the primary point of contact for the Hawk’s Harvest student food pantry and the meal voucher donation program," the release stated.

Russell has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and earned a doctorate in the educational leadership program from UNCW’s Watson College of Education in 2016. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Watson College of Education and University College.

Larry Wray, executive director of UNCW Campus Life, noted in his nomination of Russell: “Through her efforts, our campus programs have served countless community members and created a space that both challenges our students to actively listen and engage while supporting them in their personal growth and learning. Jaime is a model student affairs practitioner who grounds our programs in theory, best practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.”