RHA and NRHH receive numerous awards Posted Thursday, March 4, 2021 @ 11:43 AM The South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH) was formed in 1968 to advocate on behalf of regional member colleges and universities to better the on-campus experience for students. The UCF Housing Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) attend the SAACURH Regional Business Conference every year (virtually this year), where new board members are elected and schools are recognized for their exceptional efforts. Although much of the past year has been virtual, from team building activities to meetings and programming events, the UCF delegation nonetheless received several recognitions, including SAACURH School of the Year and the announcement of the NACURH Program of the Year, a national-level recognition. The SAACURH School of the Year Award This is the highest honor a member school can attain. The award recognizes outstanding achievements on the campus level by a residence hall government and associated groups as well as contributions on the state, regional, and NACURH levels. UCF was recognized for continuing to engage students in face of a pandemic and virtual setting, and have a larger regional presence, among other accomplishments. NRHH Director of the Year: Colton Flynn This award recognizes the outstanding service of an NRHH President at an affiliated school who has had a direct positive impact on their school, region, and NACURH. Colton is a Junior studying Computer Engineering. He has been involved with NRHH since Spring 2019 and has continuously shown dedication and passion for service and recognition. National Communications Coordinator of the Year & Induction into the Alumni and Advancement Society: Reygan Carner The NCC of the Year award recognizes outstanding service to NACURH by an individual who has been directly affiliated with the organization as an NCC. Reygan is a Junior majoring in International and Global Studies and Criminal Justice with a minor in Intelligence and National Security. She was also inducted into the Alumni and Advancement Society, a high honor only given to 1-2 people per year in SAACURH. Two-year service pin to SAACURH: Malek Kalai The SAACURH Two Year Service award is designed to recognize SAACURH student leaders who have served in residence halls over a two-year period. This award is given at the SAACURH Regional Leadership, Regional Business, and NACURH Annual Conferences by the CO-LA. Malek’s involvement in our residence halls has included the Housing Leadership Institute, Libra Area Council, Advocacy Chair in RHA, and his current role as RHA Director. NACURH Program of the Year: Meet Your Neighbors event This great honor recognizes RHA at UCF on the national level for their “Meet Your Neighbors” events from Summer and Fall 2020. During a time when most organizations took time off and RHA at UCF operated with a $0 budget, this group of student leaders was able to provide valuable and engaging virtual programming for residents. RHA at UCF will be recognized in a formal ceremony at the NACURH conference in May. RBC Delegate Grant: Gabriella Antonetty This grant was awarded to UCF and covered the SAACURH RBC conference registration fee. The grant was a great honor because these student organizations do not have the funding to cover the costs for conferences themselves. It enabled them to register for RBC and is the reason why they were able to receive these awards in the first place. Kaila Kowalski, RHA and NRHH Advisor, stated “We continue to be blown away by the hard work and dedication of NRHH and RHA. This past year they have not only persevered, they have risen above all obstacles and have emerged as role models to their peers across the nation. They pushed beyond all perceived or expected barriers to continue to focus on ways to create a supportive community for their fellow students. We are truly seen as a role model to other institutions, especially from all of our great work with programming through the end of Spring 2020 and Summer 2020.” Back