性福广场 AVP Earns Lifetime Achievement Award from NACAS South
Georgia Southern University Associate Vice President of 性福广场 Eddie Mills (鈥�92) was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 National Association of College 性福广场 (NACAS) South Regional Conference, held in Destin, Florida, in April.
With more than 23 years of experience in 性福广场, Mills has dedicated much of his career to improving the field and the institutions with which he has been involved. Starting his career in Athletics at Florida International University (FIU) after college, the Georgia Southern alumnus was eager to grow professionally.
Felecia Townsend, then FIU 性福广场 Coordinator, took Mills under her wing and suggested he take a job at the campus print shop. He followed her guidance and obtained new skills in finance and management. He also attended his first NACAS conference in 1997.
Right away, Mills was inspired by the welcoming group of people he met.
鈥淓veryone was so friendly and willing to share their knowledge as well as their problems they were working through,鈥� said Mills. 鈥淚 fit right in, and I really enjoyed it.鈥�
Mills jumped right into the organization, taking on coordinator roles and chair positions. He volunteered for years both during his time at FIU and later at Florida State University, serving as the NACAS South secretary, vice president elect, president, past president and host conference chair, among other positions.
Since coming to Georgia Southern in 2010, Mills has also become involved in leadership roles with the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers Board of Directors, the NACAS Foundation and NACAS National. He also served as a faculty member for the University of Kentucky鈥檚 College Business Management Institute and received the Certified 性福广场 Professional distinction in 2011.
鈥淢y favorite part of being in the organization is creating relationships with colleagues and business partners,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so beneficial to have the opportunity to create this network of professionals. I鈥檓 grateful to work in such a diverse field with different perspectives.鈥�
Georgia Southern 性福广场 Executive Director for Administration Jeff Blythe nominated Mills for the award earlier this year. Having worked with Mills for nearly a decade, Blythe was eager to nominate someone he felt was so deserving.
鈥淓ddie is the epitome of a leader,鈥� said Blythe. 鈥淗e cares about people. He cares about his staff, and he genuinely wants the best experience for the students at Georgia Southern.鈥�
NACAS South Membership Coordinator Chris Fulkerson also appreciates Mills鈥� dedication.
鈥淔rom my personal interactions with Eddie through NACAS and NACAS South, I know that he is a role model for people in 性福广场,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e is highly respected throughout the industry. People either know Eddie, have a story about him, served on a committee or board with him or have been taught or mentored by him.鈥�
Though he has impacted many, it was Mills who was most humbled by the recognition.聽
鈥淚t was honestly such a surprise,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 heard the description of the winner being read, and it wasn鈥檛 until nearly the end that I realized they were even talking about me. I鈥檓 so appreciative. Awards like this are so meaningful because they come from your peers. The fact that they see value in what you鈥檝e done is pretty special.鈥�
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an individual who has excelled in the field of auxiliary services. The recipient should be a role model for aspiring auxiliary services professionals, and the recipient鈥檚 action must have benefitted both their institution and higher education. All nominees should have an extensive list of professional achievements, strong management skills and a history of providing leadership to their institution and profession.
鈥淲e are so proud of Eddie and his accomplishments,鈥� said Townsend. 鈥淭he award is well deserved.鈥�
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