Gabriela (Gaby) Arana has been awarded the 2020 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding New Professional in Jesuit Student Affairs by the JASPA (Jesuit Student Affairs Conference). Arana is a 2018 graduate of the MA in Higher Education Administration program. She works at LMU as Assistant Director of Student Success.
Lisha Maddox, Director of Student Success at LMU, nominated Gaby for this year’s Ignatian Medal. News of the win “was an ABSOLUTE surprise!” said Arana.
“I am humbled, excited, and grateful to have been considered for this award. We’re all trying our best to adjust and find new ways to support our students. I am glad that I work in an environment that pushes me to be my best self and offer the intentional support to the students who need it. I am honored to be representing LMU in this way.“
The Ignatian Medal for the Outstanding New Professional in Jesuit Student Affairs is conferred on individuals who have distinguished themselves within the first three years of their careers in higher education. Ignatian Medal recipients may have brought a strong sense of leadership to their job, or have demonstrated a high level of skill or ability, or have shown an early record of success which stands above the norm. Established the Spring of 1997, this award is given annually to a new professional staff member who demonstrated a strong commitment to Jesuit Student Affairs.
