by 
The New Professional Award is awarded yearly to a SoACE member who is new to the profession, with no more than five years of experience, who has demonstrated significant contributions to career services and/or recruitment. Thw award recognizes “future leaders” within the association and profession. Contribution may be to the association, a state association, NACE, or through direct activities as a part of their normal employment. These activities must show innovation, reflect foresight, and display promise that the individual has the unique quality of future leadership.
The 2019 New Professional Award was presented to Ashley Rizzotto, who was nominated by 4 different individuals from 4 different universities, a true testament to Ashley’s impact. Nominators shared the following sentiments about Ashley:
The nominee is a model for any new professional on how to take pride in the simplest tasks that make a big impact.
The recipient is passionate about SoACE and has used their skills to create intentional and innovative ideas within the world of professional development.
The nominee has been a vital part of the SoACE Diversity & Inclusion team with her enthusiasm and creativity.
The recipient literally “hit the ground running” with ideas on how to market D&I initiatives and reach an audience of diverse backgrounds.
Ashley serves as the Marketing and Communications Chair for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and launched the #InclusionThursdays initiative on the SoACE Twitter. She has contributed to the field significantly in such a short time, whether that be by creating TEDx talks or assisting with building a foundation for online student engagement at Florida International University.
Ashley Rizzotto has been a full-time career development coach since June 2017 and currently works at Florida International University where she specializes in online student initiatives. Ashley has been actively involved with SoACE as the Marketing and Communications Chair for the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and with the Social Media Committee. She is a native of Brooklyn, NY and now lives and works in sunny South Florida. She is passionate about supporting nontraditional students and empowering others to understand their strengths.
