County College of Morris Director of Campus Life Receives International Award

Published on May 23, 2020

Congratulations to Don Phelps

(JPG, 13KB) photo of Don Phelps

Don Phelps, director of Campus Life at County College of Morris, is the sole recipient of the 2020 Two Year College Professional Service Award presented by the Association of College Unions International.

The award acknowledges a professional at a two-year institution who exemplifies excellence in the enhancement of college life and is recognized by peers as a leader and person of integrity. Phelps initially was to receive the award at the ACUI conference in Atlanta but that event has been postponed.

It's a challenge to keep a campus life program thriving when people don't live on campus and are only around for two years. Being recognized by my peers is overwhelming, said Phelps, adding that he is "humbled by the acknowledgement.''

Phelps attributed the success of CCM's Campus Life programs to his team that helps manage the details in making student events happen.

We congratulate Don on this very prestigious award. He is extremely deserving and we are so fortunate to have him as part of the CCM team, said Bette Simmons, CCM Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management.

Phelps has been working with college students in various capacities for 30 years. He began his career at Fairleigh Dickinson University as the director for its Greek Life system and Recreation department. He then worked at William Paterson University as the Greek Life assistant director.

(PNG, 53KB)For more than 18 years, Phelps has been working with students at CCM, first serving as the associate director of Campus Life and most recently as the director of Campus Life.

When Phelps started at CCM there were less than 20 clubs on campus and now there are over 50 clubs. Phelps was instrumental in connecting clubs with departments to create robust and meaningful collaborative campus events. Faculty members serve as advisors to the student-run clubs.

One of the greatest CCM accomplishments for Phelps was Titans Weekend, which was held in 2019 as part of the college's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Phelps is most appreciative to his supportive family who understands when he has to work an event on the weekend. Phelps resides in Parsippany with his wife, Karen, his daughter Abigail, who is a junior in high school, and son Andrew, who is in middle school.

To learn more about CCM Campus Life visit, https://www.ccm.edu/student-life/campus-life/.