National Group Honors Leader of Women and Gender Resource Center

National Group Honors Leader of Women and Gender Resource Center

Dr. Lamea “Elle” Shaaban-Magaña has received The Zenobia Hikes Memorial Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’  Center for Scholarship, Research and Professional Development for Women.

Dr. Lamea “Elle” Shaaban-Magaña

Shaaban-Magaña is director of the Women and Gender Resource Center, which provides counseling and advocacy services to survivors of interpersonal violence, social justice leadership programs and gender-related education.

The award recognizes a NASPA member with at least 10 years of full time work in student affairs who has shown a commitment to the advancement of women in higher education and to student affairs, through mentoring and professional development activities. Winners have made strong contributions to the development of students as engaged citizens and ethical leaders and have a record of community service to the profession and locally.

“I have developed a strong desire to engage in reflective practice grounded in the belief that Student Life professionals can contribute to the transformation of both individuals and communities, using education as a medium to elicit positive social change,” she said.

During her tenure with the center, she has nurtured a range of groups, including the student chapter of the American Association of University Women, Safe Zone, Iota Iota Iota Women’s Studies Honor Society, the Alliance for Women of Color and the Hispanic Latino Student Association.

In addition to her work at UA, Shaaban-Magaña has consulted colleges across the United States. She has worked to expand services to better reach marginalized groups and provide more comprehensive, inclusive programs addressing gender issues on campus.

Her educational background lies in the areas of sociology of education, women’s studies, human development and family studies, and communications. She has worked in the fields of social services, child welfare and the judicial system. She has received the National Women’s Studies Association Women Center Lifetime Achievement Award, the Alabama NASPA Spirit of Diversity Award and the Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award, among others.

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession.

 

Contact

Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782