FSU Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht receives prestigious national award
Amy Hecht, Florida State University Vice President for Student Affairs, has been recognized with the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession.
This prestigious national award is named after Scott Goodnight, NASPA’s founding chair of the Board of Directors from 1919 to 1920 and the former dean of men at the University of Wisconsin. The accolade is presented to a “Dean” or the lead student affairs officer on campus who has demonstrated sustained professional achievement in student affairs work, innovative response in meeting the varied and emerging needs of students, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in community and college or university affairs. The award recipient must also have earned the support of and stature among students, faculty and fellow administrators on campus, and made significant contributions to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.
“Vice President Hecht is truly deserving of this honor,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “She is a national leader among student affairs professionals, and she is dedicated to the success of Florida State University students, the development of her staff and the advancement of the field. We are so proud of her accomplishments.”
Last fall, Hecht was also recognized by NASPA with the Pillar of the Profession Award. The Pillar of the Profession award honors leaders who demonstrate distinction in the higher education field, have served in leadership roles in NASPA either regionally or nationally, and are recognized by colleagues for their significant contributions to the field of higher education.
Hecht began serving as the VP for Student Affairs at FSU in 2017, where she has focused on student success and empowering and supporting all students to achieve their full potential. During her tenure as VP, FSU has received multiple recognitions for student engagement and success. Most recently, FSU ranked No. 1 in Florida for Best Student Life by Niche.com based on the university’s positive, fun and friendly student culture and vibrant campus community.
Before joining FSU, she served in several Student Affairs leadership roles, including VP at the College of New Jersey, Assistant VP at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Associate Dean at Temple University in Philadelphia, and Assistant Director of Student Activities at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
A proud FSU alumna, Hecht earned her bachelor’s degree from the FSU College of Communication and Information and completed her master’s degree and doctorate in Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania.
She has served on numerous NASPA boards and committees and has helped with several of the organization’s initiatives. Hecht’s NASPA service includes institute director and faculty member for the New Vice Presidents Institute, chair of the AVP Steering Committee, co-chair for the Student Leadership Program Knowledge Community and board member for the James E. Scott Academy and the Public Policy Advisory Board.
Hecht will be honored with the Scott Goodnight Award and the Pillar of the Profession Award at an awards celebration at the 2024 NASPA Annual Conference on March 12 in Seattle.