Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities’ Maggie Reisdorf wins 2024 MaPSAC Excellence Award

Maggie Reisdorf is the type of person you want working alongside Purdue students during some of their toughest moments. As associate director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, she knows how to turn difficult situations into solution-driven conversations, no matter how hard they may be.

“I really try to ensure students recognize that this one thing doesn’t define them,” Reisdorf says. “We understand that they are so much more than that, and we want them to reflect on it and then continue in their growth and development. It can be complicated sometimes, but it’s a really cool opportunity to give students that care.”

In her role within the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, a division of the Office of the Dean of Students, Reisdorf leads with compassion, positivity and ingenuity — qualities that recently led the Management and Professional Staff Advisory Committee (MaPSAC) to name her the 2024 winner of the MaPSAC Excellence Award.

The annual award honors a high-performing, full-time management or professional staff member who serves as a university ambassador by taking initiative, leading by example and providing exemplary customer service. Recipients receive a plaque and $1,500.

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities works collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to administer conduct standards, disseminate and interpret university regulations, and facilitate the resolution of concerns and disputes at the lowest level possible. 

Reisdorf regularly partners with units like the Office of Institutional Equity; Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life and the Center for Advocacy, Response & Education — along with every single college, school and academic department on the West Lafayette campus — to streamline student conduct processes, develop additional education opportunities for students and staff, and maintain the safety of the campus community.

Whether she’s creating training opportunities for student organizations, participating in conduct conferences and board hearings, or assisting with key initiatives like last fall’s campuswide implementation of Purdue Mobile ID, Reisdorf strives to ensure that every single voice and perspective is heard, represented and respected. 

Throughout her three-year Purdue career, the highest source of her pride lies in the strength of the team she’s built. As a supervisor, Reisdorf encourages her employees to serve on campus committees as a chance to make a broader impact and expand their personal network. She challenges them with thought exercises that expand their ability to navigate complex cases and situations. And she always seeks out — or creates — new opportunities and trainings to fuel their professional growth and development.

“It’s sometimes hard to be excited about a heavy job, but when you work with such a good team, gosh, is it easy to enjoy,” Reisdorf says. “They are truly who motivate me to continue doing the good work and to expand our operations to continue providing different support to students.”

A letter supporting her nomination describes Reisdorf’s unwavering commitment to her team and success in cultivating a safe environment where everyone can thrive.

“Maggie takes the time to care about me as a human and a professional when time is so often limited, and she makes our team dynamic feel like a family,” the nominator wrote. “This year has been a standout year, one in which she has transformed the world we work in every day and reached new personal and professional heights.”

Every now and then, Reisdorf will catch glimpses of her work’s impact when students send an email or visit the office to share the success stories that have blossomed from her support. But this type of recognition is new to her, and it’s paired with a feeling of pride in her day-to-day efforts — no matter how minimal they may sometimes seem.

“It’s a huge honor, and I appreciate the effort the team went through to help me be recognized in this way,” Reisdorf says. “I think it’s great affirmation that the work we are doing, even sometimes behind the scenes, can still really make a difference.”