Kristin Eicholtz headshotThe Department of Student Affairs in Higher Education is pleased to announce Kristin Eicholtz as the 2021 recipient of the Ronald Lunardini Distinguished Alumni Award.

Eicholtz is a 2005 graduate of SAHE and is executive director of the Career Development Center at DeSales University. Prior to her more than 10 years at DeSales, she worked in career development at Virginia Tech.

Through numerous letters of support for her nomination, it was clear that Eicholtz has had an extraordinary impact on the students, staff, and alumni with whom she works. Previous and current SAHE students who nominated her wrote, “As a phenomenal student affairs professional, Kristin is a ray of sunshine who selflessly devotes her work fully to the success of her students. She has embraced everything that the IUP SAHE graduate program has taught us, and continues to mentor many current and aspiring student affairs professionals.” A colleague commented, “Kristin is a true leader who motivates her colleagues and students to be their best with her passionate integrity. Countless students and alumni have contacted our office to share how Kristin's career class or her mentorship had positively impacted their lives.”

The award selection committee (comprised of SAHE faculty, students, and alumni) found that Eicholtz meets and exceeds the award criteria. She excels, specifically, in the areas of mentorship, collaboration, professional development and lifelong learning, and promotion of student success. The award will be presented to Eicholtz at a future SAHE departmental event.

The Ronald Lunardini Distinguished Alumni Award, begun in 2006, was created to acknowledge an alumna/alumnus of the SAHE Department whose experiences and accomplishments as a student affairs professional significantly reflect the standards and values of the SPS program/SAHE Department. In 2008, in recognition of Dr. Lunardini's 37 years of service at IUP (18 as an SAHE faculty member), the award title was changed to honor him.

Congratulations, Kristin Eicholtz!