Tia Mann honored with the Dr. Jim McConnel Values Award

Dr. Jim McConnel has made a lasting impact on Student Affairs at James Madison University, by actively demonstrating how meaningful living out our central values can be to our community. This award is presented to an individual or group who, like its namesake, demonstrates a strong and lasting commitment to the central values of Student Affairs: focusing on students, leading courageously, transcending boundaries, creating belonging, prioritizing health and well-being, embracing innovation and change, and honoring and valuing our staff.

This year's award was presented to Tia Mann, who exemplifies these values in every aspect of her work. Through her integrity, collaboration, and unwavering student-centered focus, she has helped make health promotion at JMU both visible and aspirational. She brings together evidence-based practice and innovation, grounded in the belief that students thrive when we work collectively and with shared purpose.

She builds meaningful partnerships across campus and throughout the community, creating networks of care that support personal, residential, and organizational well-being. She listens with intention, values diverse perspectives, encourages creativity and thoughtful risk-taking, and helps each of us recognize our individual and collective potential.

Thoughtful, innovative, unifying, and deeply committed to the mission of higher education, she has helped shape a culture of care and well-being at JMU.