2024 Board of Advisors Kendall Service Award Winners
Former USM Regent and USG Board of Advisors (BOA) member Cliff Kendall and his wife Camille have generously established annual awards that recognize faculty, program leaders, and staff who have provided outstanding support to students, as well as staff who have demonstrated exemplary service to the USG community.
Congratulations to this year's five esteemed BOA Kendall Service Award winners for 2025:
 Outstanding Program LeadershipDr. Leah WaksUniversity of Maryland, College Park
Communication Program
Dr. Leah Waks is Principal Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park. Since 1998, she has led academic and administrative initiatives for the department’s 850+ undergraduates across two campuses. Waks oversees curriculum development, advising, faculty collaboration, and student programming. She also directs the departmental honors program and plays a vital role in recruitment, retention, and commencement activities. At the Universities at Shady Grove, she founded a communication and digital media program, promoting experiential learning and community engagement. |
 Excellence in TeachingDr. Robert Sheehan Jr.University of Maryland, College Park
Robert H. Smith School of Business Program
Robert Sheehan, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, where he teaches courses in leadership, strategy, and organizational management. He also serves as an Affiliate Professor in the School of Public Policy. Formerly Academic Director of Maryland’s top-ranked Executive MBA program, Dr. Sheehan has over 30 years of experience in executive education, nonprofit leadership, and strategic consulting. |
 Outstanding Service to StudentsShelby SpeerThe Universities at Shady Grove
Division of Student Affairs & Career Readiness, USG Shelby Speer serves as the Manager of Teamwork, Leadership & Collaboration in the Macklin Center for Leadership and Communication at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). Since her start at USG in 2016, Shelby has worked to support student success through cross-departmental collaboration and inclusive approaches, consistently championing student voices and fostering a vibrant, supportive campus community. In her role, she oversees 30+ student organizations, leads Student Council, and spearheads student-focused campus-wide events and student leadership development initiatives. |
 Outstanding Service to the USG CommunityIrene MünsterThe Universities at Shady Grove
Priddy Library
Irene Münster is a passionate advocate for academic success, equity, and community engagement at the Universities at Shady Grove. As Director of the Priddy Library since 2009, she supports students, faculty, and staff across nine partner institutions, expanding access to vital resources and pioneering programs. Irene champions emerging technologies, experiential learning, and inclusive opportunities for meaningful dialogue not only for the academic community, but with a broader lens for the community at large. |
