The University Partner of the Year Award recognizes faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to create a meaningful partnership with SigEp on their campus. Award recipients connect SigEp undergraduates with faculty to enhance academic development. They act as mentors and advisors. And they work to support the implementation of critical, life-changing experiences through the Balanced Man Program and Residential Learning Communities.

Emily Perlow
Assistant Dean of Students, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Perlow joined WPI in 2005 as assistant director of student activities and Greek life programs, the same year she began her involvement with SigEp. She became a chapter advisor and assisted in nearly every aspect of volunteer support. Brothers who have worked with Perlow say she is adept at helping them gain perspective on situations that feel overwhelming, rather than simply telling them how to solve their problems. And thanks to her guidance, Massachusetts Beta has received several WPI awards, including Organization of the Year.

Perlow serves as chair of the Northeast Greek Leadership Association. She is a 2015 recipient of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors’ Publication Excellence Award as well as the association’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year award.

Jack Causseaux
Director, Sorority and Fraternity Affairs, University of Florida

Causseaux has served as a strong advocate for the undergraduates and alumni of SigEp’s University of Florida Chapter for years. During a period that led to the chapter’s unfortunate closure in 2013, Causseaux went above and beyond to serve as an intermediary between undergraduates and alumni leadership. Following the closure, he made himself available to undergraduates and counseled them through the difficult time.

When SigEp returned to campus in 2015, Causseaux was still there, ready and willing to do everything he could to aid the reorganized chapter. With an appreciation for the unique value of the SigEp experience, he has served as an advocate for the Fraternity within Florida’s administration and continues to be a critical source of support for the chapter.

Shannon Taylor
Associate Director of Student Affairs, Loyola Marymount University

Through Taylor’s support, SigEp’s Loyola Marymount Chapter has been able to consistently offer an accredited course on leadership values through the university’s Ignatian Leadership Institute. The implementation of this program helped the chapter receive accreditation as a Residential Learning Community in 2011. Since then, Taylor has helped the brothers expand the course from one to three units and is offering it to all fraternities and sororities on campus. As one of several faculty fellows for the chapter, Taylor also provides guidance and advice to Loyola Marymount SigEps and has been instrumental in the chapter’s success. She has remained committed to her volunteer role with the Fraternity, even as she has transitioned into several positions in the university’s administration.

Steven Ashmore
Director of Student Conduct, University of Oklahoma

Ashmore has been a consistent source of guidance and tough love for SigEp’s Oklahoma Chapter throughout a recent turbulent period in its history. While serving in the office of the school’s general counsel, Ashmore was on the front line of several incidents involving the chapter. As Oklahoma’s student conduct director, he advocated for the brothers within the university administration and coordinated with chapter alumni and the national Fraternity, despite the fact that his first day on the job was his first experience with fraternities and sororities. Eager to learn more about the SigEp experience and the potential of Greek organizations, Ashmore attended last year’s Carlson Leadership Academy to learn how best practices are implemented at other SigEp chapters.

Ashmore previously served as a staff sergeant in the Oklahoma National Guard. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and received a Bronze Star for his service. His experience seeing young men perform in difficult situations contributes to his ability to guide Oklahoma Beta toward success.

Deb Bishop
Associate Professor of Management; Director, Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurial Outreach; and Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Drake University

For nearly 10 years, Bishop has served as a faculty fellow for SigEp’s Drake Chapter. She attends Sigma Challenge meetings and helps new members develop strong study habits early in their college careers. Bishop makes herself available to all brothers for academic support, and serves as a liaison for the chapter to other faculty members. She also leads a yearly study abroad trip to Uganda and frequently brings chapter members along. Her investment in the Drake Chapter over so many years has led to six Buchanan Cups since 2003 and sustainable academic success for brothers — the chapter finished the 2016 spring semester with a collective GPA of 3.46.