An ISU professor received the Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a graduate faculty member from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Dan Robinson, university professor of education leadership and policy studies, said he is honored to receive the award.”Previous members who have received the award are pillars, and I am pleased to be a part of this group of professors,” he said.The award, established in 1986, is given to a faculty member who is teaching in the graduate program of student affairs. Nominees must be a personal inspiration to graduate students, have served on doctoral committees, have distinguished records of scholarly achievement — including publication in relevant literature — and made significant contributions to professional associations.Robinson said award recipients are “graduate faculty who show excellence in service, the classroom and scholarship in both university and professional settings.” Candidates for the Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence are nominated by graduate students and faculty members. A subcommittee of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Board of Directors reviews the nominations and submits its recommendation to the national board.The award recognizes the contributions made by Shaffer, a dean and professor emeritus at Indiana University. “Shaffer is legendary,” Robinson said. “He is a mentor to many people in the profession.”Robinson has a long history at Iowa State.”I have been involved with Iowa State since 1965, when I began my undergraduate,” said Robinson.Robinson entered Iowa State as an undergraduate in 1965 and graduated in 1970 with a bachelor of science in physical education and sociology. In 1971, he earned a master’s in science in higher education and counseling psychology, and in 1978, he earned his doctorate in higher education and counseling psychology.Robinson has been working full time at Iowa State for 28 years, he said. He worked for 14 years in the Student Counseling Center, and he served as director of the Student Affairs Research Office, interim vice president for student affairs and twice was departmental chairman of educational studies.As a professor of education leadership and policy studies, Robinson advises graduate students, serves on and chairs graduate committees and is an instructor. “He is a real mentor to students while they are students and after they graduate,” said Deb Burdick, assistant director of financial aid and a former graduate advisee. Robinson also does consulting for other universities and for industries in the area of understanding personalities. He is active in team building and leadership training.”Dan is very deserving of the award,” said John Schuh, professor and chairman of educational leadership and policy studies. “He is a very committed instructor and has very lively classes.”