Dr. Cameron Beatty, an associate professor of higher education at the FSU College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, has been named a 2024 Diamond Honoree by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). The Diamond Honoree program recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of student affairs and higher education.
The ACPA Diamond Honoree program was established in 1999 to honor individuals who have made lasting contributions to the higher education profession. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the ACPA Foundation Board of Trustees. Each honoree receives a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 donation to support ACPA programs, scholarships, or grants.
On top of serving as an associate professor and program coordinator in the higher education program, Dr. Beatty is also the associate director of the Leadership Learning Research Center at Florida State, where he oversees research projects and initiatives related to leadership education and development. He also teaches courses on leadership theory, social topics in higher education, and qualitative research. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and received several awards for his scholarship and teaching, including being recognized as a 2018 ACPA Emerging Scholar designee.
In the higher education program, Dr. Beatty uses qualitative methods to explore how social identities such as race, gender, and sexuality, influence leadership development and practice. He also examines how leadership educators can create inclusive and equitable learning environments that foster critical consciousness and social change.
Dr. Beatty's colleagues praised his achievement and impact on the field. "Dr. Beatty is an outstanding scholar with a proven commitment to higher education," wrote Dr. Kathy Guthrie, a professor of higher education and the director of the Leadership Learning Research Center, in her nomination letter. "His research is situated in the intersection of applied work on higher education and undergraduate leadership education and presents his findings in a way that is accessible for both researchers and practitioners."
In addition to his scholarly and teaching excellence, Dr. Beatty has also been a dedicated and effective leader in ACPA and other professional associations. He has served as the Chair of ACPA’s Coalition on Men and Masculinities, Directorate Board member for the Commission for Faculty and Graduate Programs, and a member of several committees and task forces. He has also been an active presenter, facilitator, and mentor at ACPA events, sharing his expertise and passion with colleagues and students. Dr. Beatty's involvement in ACPA demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field of student affairs and leadership education through collaboration and innovation.
Dr. Beatty is not only an accomplished scholar and teacher, but also a generous and supportive colleague and mentor. He has established strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students across the higher education community, both at FSU and beyond. He has offered guidance, encouragement, and feedback to many emerging and established scholars, especially those from underrepresented groups. He has also created spaces for dialogue and learning on important topics. His collegiality and mentorship reflect his values and vision for a more inclusive and equitable higher education profession.
Dr. Beatty was recognized with the FSU Inclusive Teaching and Mentoring Award in 2020. This award honors faculty who teach courses in which the learning environment is explicitly designed to be inclusive so that all students can flourish. One of the most distinctive aspects of Dr. Beatty's work is his ability to bridge theory and practice in higher education and leadership education. He has developed and implemented innovative curricula, programs, and initiatives that enhance student learning and development, especially for racially minoritized students. He has also partnered with various campus and community stakeholders to address issues and challenges facing higher education institutions and society. Dr. Beatty's praxis-oriented approach exemplifies his dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of students and the broader public.
Dr. Beatty will be formally recognized as a 2024 ACPA Diamond Honoree at the annual convention of the ACPA in March 2024 in Chicago.
