This week, WSU Applebaum Academic Services Officer IV Heather Sandlin was honored with the 2021-22 Distinguished Service Award during Wayne State University's annual Academic Staff Professional Development Committee awards ceremony. The award recognizes academic staff members who have demonstrated significant service to students, the university or the community.

"Both our college and the university have benefited from Heather's unique combination of skills," said Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Mary K. Clark. "In everything she does, she brings intelligence, compassion and a genuine desire for people to succeed. Whether working with students or colleagues, Heather is interested in the whole person, not just their academic side."

Sandlin, who holds two WSU master's degrees, joined the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2009. Her primary responsibilities include serving as a resource and advocate for prospective students interested in the college's Health Care Sciences programs.

"Heather is an exemplary model of service, dedicating her time quietly to the university, faculty and staff. People would not know she effortlessly works with students, faculty and program directors from nine distinct programs in Health Sciences," said Interim Associate Dean for Health Sciences Sara F. Maher. "Heather's talents are varied and include everything from conflict resolution to yoga instruction. I feel confident working with Heather, as every task is handled effortlessly and with great compassion."

Indeed, throughout her years at Wayne State, Sandlin has demonstrated significant service to students, WSU Applebaum, the university and professional organizations.

As fellow ASO Jozy Hayek said in her nomination letter, Sandlin consistently goes above and beyond her job responsibilities to serve on college and university committees - most notably as chair of the WSU Applebaum Budget Advisory and Selective Salary committees; as co-chair of the President's Commission on the Status of Women committee on Career Development; and as co-chair of the Excellence in Academic Advising committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Sandlin also has held several leadership positions in professional organizations, serving on the American College Personnel Association-Michigan presidential team from 2014-18, among other positions. She also has presented at several professional conferences over the years.

Among Sandlin's key achievements has been launching the first Michigan chapter of Eye to Eye, a national mentoring program that aims to help those who learn differently (due to dyslexia and ADHD, for example). In 2019, she was one of six WSU Applebaum faculty and staff members named to the inaugural cohort of university's Academic Leadership Academy, and chose Eye to Eye as her leadership project.

The program pairs middle schoolers with high school or college students for guidance and support. As the WSU Applebaum liaison for the university's Student Disabilities Services office, Sandlin's passion to serve this student population led her to invest a significant amount of time on partnering with the Eye to Eye program and introducing it to Wayne State.

Last November, Sandlin was highlighted during Wayne State's Employee Recognition Week in the Warriors Who Care category. "As an academic services officer IV, Heather is not only always willing to take on tasks as an academic staff member, she consistently meets difficult situations with empathy and understanding," said Moira Fracassa, her Office of Student Affairs colleague. "No matter how challenging someone's words or behavior are, she seeks to learn the background of that person and situation and to see matters from a different point of view. This is so valuable in keeping operations running smoothly and dealing with difficult times. WSU Applebaum is lucky to have someone with her caring demeanor."

Their team leader agrees. "Not everyone knows this, but Heather is a marathon runner, and she brings the same level of dedication to her professional life that she devotes to training for marathons," said Dr. Clark, who made the hiring decision to bring Sandlin on board in 2009. "She's always prepared and doesn't take anything for granted. She gives everything she has to her profession, and she gives it with genuine kindness and a spirit of hoping that whatever she contributes will allow the person she's working with to be successful in exactly the way they need. Heather is a renaissance woman who has inspired me to always keep learning and growing. In a quiet, confident way, she exemplifies Warrior Strong."

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An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels - from undergraduates to veteran faculty members - translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 25,000 students.