Sonja Ardoin, PhD, Awarded NASPA Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member

BATON ROUGE, LA – Sonja Ardoin, PhD, Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education alumna, has been awarded the 2026 Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member Award by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).

Ardoin is currently an associate professor of higher education and student affairs at Clemson University. Her research interests are social class identity in higher education, college access and success, student and women’s leadership development and practice, and career preparation and pathways in higher education and student affairs.  Ardoin has co-authored over 70 referenced publications, including seven books, journal articles, monographs, and has been a speaker for multiple institutions and organizations. Ardoin, a first-generation college student, earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from LSU in 2004.

The Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member is presented to a full-time faculty member in a graduate preparation program in student affairs who has demonstrated excellence over a sustained career in teaching. Each recipient has inspired graduate students and served on doctoral dissertation committees, has a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, including publication in relevant literature, and has made significant contributions to professional associations.

“I am grateful to the NASPA Foundation, NASPA, Region III, and my nominator, friend, and colleague, Tony Cawthon, for believing I am a worthy recipient of the 2026 NASPA Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member,” Ardoin said. I credit my academic community for much of my professional success. I enjoy the privilege of teaching and learning with talented master’s and doctoral students.

 

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About the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education
A school of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education, the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education (SOE) offers undergraduate programs for students who want to pursue a career as a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher or acquire dual certification in both traditional elementary and special education classrooms. In addition, SOE offers 3 graduate certificates, 17 master’s degree program areas, 9 EdS certificate programs, and 2 PhD degrees in 11 areas of focus. SOE’s focus is not only on preparing highly qualified teachers but also in preparing educational leaders, curriculum studies scholars, educational technology experts, applied researchers, higher education professionals, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors. SOE specializes scholarly expertise regarding pressing educational and wellness issues across the entire lifespan.

Visit the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education website.