Nancy Bernard, 2017 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award Recipient

Honorary Lifetime Membership is awarded to individuals who have made notable and significant contributions to the Association over the course of their active membership in SoACE, SACE or SWACE. In order to be considered for Honorary Life Membership, an individual must have been active in SoACE, SACE or SWACE for at least five years, and must no longer be eligible for active membership in the association because of retirement, job transition, or other similar reasons. Nancy Bernard, Director of the Career Center at Auburn University and newly retired, was one of two recipients of this prestigious honor at the 2017 Annual Conference in San Antonio.

Katie Mantooth, Assistant Director, Career Planning & Development at The University of Tennessee at Martin, shared these words:

With 37 years of service to Auburn University, 22 of which were as director of the Career Center, many of you likely know Nancy Bernard well. Not only has she served as president of what was then SACE, Nancy has continued to present on various topics at professional meetings, serve on many committees, including chairing the Administration Knowledge Group for the past five years, and contribute as a consultant on the SoACE consulting services teams for eight different schools. She is also a certified etiquette consultant and holds certifications in administering and interpreting the MBTI and CliftonStrengths. If you’ve spent any time with Nancy, you know she is full of joy and laughter, and if you’ve ever collaborated with her on a project, you also know she will get the job done. And now…Nancy is retiring from Auburn on April 1, 2018.

All of her service to the field makes Nancy quite worthy of this award – and she has received many others for her professional contributions. However, it isn’t all of the accolades or titles she has held that make me so very humbled and proud to be up here speaking to you today. It is the fact that Nancy is a mentor to so many and how she has a unique ability to infuse both fun and purpose into work.

I began working for Nancy as a newlywed just a year out of graduate school. I was pretty sure I had “arrived.” Luckily, Nancy saw my potential because I had not “arrived.” Not only did she push me to grow professionally, she also helped me learn how to attempt balancing life as a working mom. She would hear out my crazy ideas like, “I think the Career Center needs a Facebook page – that might be a real thing,” and let me run with them. And she tactfully called me out when I didn’t reach goals.

Nancy, thank you for all that you have done in service to SCPA/SACE/SoACE. Thank you for all that you did to contribute to my “growing up” process. When we go back to Auburn, it’s always a whirlwind trip, and we don’t have time to visit many people. But my three kids always ask to see Mrs. Nancy, and that speaks volumes to the legacy of your influence.

Upon graduating from Auburn University in December 1980 with a Bachelor of Education, Nancy Bernard began working in the Placement Office at Auburn in January 1981 in what she thought was a “temporary” position until she could land a “real” job.  With a degree in education but not much enthusiasm for being a teacher, she really did not know what her next step should be.  As she began interacting and working with employers and students, Nancy discovered a profession that she knew nothing about.  As opportunities presented themselves to move up in the organization, Nancy made the decision to further her education in order to continue working in the field of higher education, specifically in career services. She received her Master of Education in Counseling/College Student Development in 1984 and from that point progressively moved into leadership roles within Career Development Services at Auburn University.  In 1995 she assumed the role of Director and has been in that position since that time in what is now the Auburn University Career Center.

As Nancy’s administrative role expanded, she had the opportunity to become involved in professional associations in the field.  By connecting with individuals who shared common career interests and similar jobs, she formed lasting relationships with professionals who not only served as strong mentors but became lifelong friends.  With the support and guidance of the people who were leaders in these organizations, she was able to learn and grow into the professional she is today.  She joined the Southern College Placement Association (SCPA) in 1982 and attended her first SCPA conference in Orlando that year.  She has served the organization as Summer Workshop Business Manager (1990), Summer Workshop Chair (1991), Conference Registration Chair (1992 & 2007), Conference Program Co-chair (1993), Vice President of Finance (1994-1996), Conference Co-chair (1997), President-elect (2001-2002), President (2002-2003), Past President (2003-2004), and most recently, Chair of the Administration Knowledge Group for SoACE for the past five years.  Nancy was a member of the 1994-95 SCPA Strategic Planning Team that designed, developed, and implemented a new organizational structure and five year strategic plan for the organization.  During her term as VP of Finance the organization changed its name to the Southern Association of Colleges & Employers (SACE) and realigned its fiscal year to coincide with NACE and the other regional ACEs. Nancy received the SACE President’s Award in 2003, the SACE STAR Award for notable and sustained contributions to the profession in 2004, and the AACE Success Award for Outstanding Placement Professional from the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers in 2001.

In addition to her leadership experience, Nancy serves as a consultant for SoACE Consulting Services and has conducted and chaired external reviews for career services at the University of Tulsa, Austin Peay State University, University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, Louisiana State University, Spelman College, University of South Carolina, and University of Kentucky.  An active participant in the annual SEACnet meetings each year, Nancy worked with other directors in the SEC and ACC to establish this group that has been meeting regularly since the early 1990’s.

Active in other associations, including the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers, the National Career Development Association, and others, Nancy has served on committees and volunteered in various capacities through the years.  As a regular presenter at professional meetings, Nancy has made presentations on various topics related to career and student development as well as employer relations. On campus Nancy conducts dining etiquette training sessions for students and employees and teaches other professional development classes through the AU Human Resources Development department.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education in Counseling, College Student Development from Auburn University.  She is a certified etiquette consultant and holds certifications in administering and interpreting the MBTI and StrengthsFinder.

Nancy has an intense love for all things Auburn and as unhealthy as it may sound, orange and blue runs through her veins. She is thankful for the opportunity she has had to work at a wonderful university for her entire career and to be a part of such a strong organization like SoACE.  With 37 years of service, Nancy retired from Auburn University on April 1, 2018.