Chiquita Loveless, assistant dean of students for family & military programming at the University of Northern Iowa, was recently recognized for her leadership and service to military-connected students with a national award from NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

She received the Supra Et Ultra Award during the NASPA Symposium on Military Connected Students on Feb. 18. The award honors “extraordinary service that goes above and beyond in advancing the success, belonging and well-being of military-connected students.” Her plaque recognizes her “sustained leadership, professional excellence, and unwavering commitment” that has strengthened the campus, community and the field nationwide.

Loveless accepted the award in front of more than 250 representatives from Military-Connected Institutions from across the country, a national audience of higher education leaders dedicated to serving student veterans and their families. “I stood there in tears for a moment,” she said. “I am honored and humbled, but my goal and job is to help all people, always.”

Loveless regularly connects with Veterans Centers across the country to offer candid advice and support. “A leader leads,” Loveless said. “I learned that when your students stop following, that is when you have stopped leading them.”

The University of Northern Iowa has long been designated a Military Friendly® School, most recently earning both Gold Status and the Military Friendly Spouse School distinctions.