The St. Louis American recently presented UMSL administrator Natissia Small its 2011 Excellence in Education Award.

Natissia Small, assistant dean of students at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, was one of 12 educators honored last Friday during The St. Louis American’s 24th annual “Salute to Excellence in Education” scholarship and awards gala.

Small, who serves as director of UMSL’s Office of Precollegiate Programs, received the 2011 Excellence in Education Award. She recently added the Office of Multicultural Relations to her responsibilities at UMSL.

“I am honored to have received recognition by The St. Louis American,” Small said. “The real honor is the humbling reminder of trust established with families in the St. Louis community. I value their ability to identify the commitment to effectively prepare and assist their students with seeking a college degree.”

Through the university’s Bridge Program alone, Small and her staff provide college access services to more than 3,000 student and parent participants annually.

“I share this recognition with the great team that I am fortunate to lead daily,” she said.

Small was appointed director of the Office of Precollegiate Programs in April 2007 and assistant dean of students for the Division of Student Affairs in 2011. She has been with UMSL since 1995 and has served as a coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Aid and a clinical instructor for the Bridge Program.

Small holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. She holds master’s degrees in secondary education-adult education and counseling education from UMSL.

More information:
umsl.edu/precollegiate