The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) honored Director of Residence Life Maggie Balch on Nov. 16 as the mid-level student affairs professional of the year in the state of Massachusetts, a University press release announced.According to the Residence Life Web site, in her capacity as director of Residence Life, Balch is responsible for the operational, programmatic and staff matters relating to the undergraduate and graduate students who live on campus, as well as the supervision of the professional staff with whom she works.

Pauline Debrowski-the assistant vice president for student affairs at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., and the state director for NASPA-presented Balch with the award at the regional New England conference.

"Maggie approaches each day of her work with the type of kindness, dedication and intellectual genius that any university seeks in a director," Debrowski said at her presentation of the award. "Few meet the level of excellence Maggie tirelessly delivers to the students of Brandeis, day after day."

NASPA, an organization that provides professional development for student affairs administrators, accepts nominations from those who wish to recognize a colleague for work in that area.

Balch said she felt honored at being nominated by her colleagues at Brandeis.

"I get up and come to work every day," Balch said. "To think that people appreciate what I do is flattering."

Balch, who came to Brandeis almost three and a half years ago, has worked with the philosophy of making students her priority.

"Maggie is an incredibly calm and compassionate director," Assistant Dean of Student Life Lori Tenser said. "So much of what she does is behind the scenes, but she works so well with students. She's one of the only people I know who remembers every student she meets."

Assistant Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett echoed these sentiments.

"We're really proud of Maggie," Bennett said. "She brings a lot to the Residence Life program. It's nice that colleagues in other schools notice this as well.