NASPA Selects Glenn Mroz for 2010 President's Award

NASPA, a professional organization of student affairs administrators in higher education, honored Glenn D. Mroz, president of Michigan Technological University, with its 2010 NASPA Region IV-East President’s Award.  The award was presented at a reception and gala at the NASPA Region IV-East annual meeting in Minneapolis on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.

He was recognized for his “demonstrated leadership in higher education and valuable contributions to Michigan Tech.”

“The student affairs professionals here tonight do so much: provide guidance, create opportunities and help students become the people our world needs,” said Mroz. “I cannot say enough about what you all do. Thank you for this recognition—I am truly honored.”

In a letter of nomination, Les Cook, vice president for student affairs, said, “Under his leadership, the focus on students is evident. Michigan Tech has been incredibly successful in introducing new initiatives, programs and services to enrich the environment and the experience for our students.”

Cook called Mroz’s impact on Michigan Tech students “dramatic.” The president has introduced initiatives that support the academically talented and curious mindset of the University’s students, Cook said, including a first-year summer reading program, undergraduate research opportunities, Make a Difference Day, a global technological leadership institute, a hugely successful outdoor adventure program, new scholarship opportunities and an honors institute. 

“Always one to lend a listening ear, Mroz is a president who maintains not only an open door, but an open mind and heart,” Cook noted. “He is passionate about making a difference in the lives of students, and he genuinely cares about their success.”

Mroz also received letters of support from Eli Vlaisavljevich, a 2010 alumnus, and Martha Richardson, chair of Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees.

Mroz has been president of Michigan Tech since 2004. Before that, he served as dean of Tech’s School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.

Two representatives of Michigan Tech also were featured on the program of the regional NASPA meeting.  Bill Roberts, director of financial aid, and Kara Sokol, integrated marketing and communications specialist in University Marketing and Communications, presented “Best Practices for Communicating with Students.”

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.