Inside the Being a Difference Award

Campus Being a Difference Award (BADA) recipients do not simply aspire to make a difference – they are being a difference by embodying the very best in ethical behavior, integrity and leadership. Each school year, the NASBA Student Center for the Public Trust (StudentCPT) honors one student or faculty member on each chapter’s campus or a community leader who positively impacted the school by displaying notable ethical leadership.

When the BADA program began, East Central University was the first StudentCPT chapter to respond to the call for nomination by nominating a dean’s administrative assistant who helped them successfully run chapter meetings and events. Over the years, students and instructors have expressed the desire to recognize community leaders for the BADA.

The awards program matters to the NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT) because it aligns with the organization’s mission to promote ethical thinking in the developing character and conscience of students. The BADA drives innovation, fosters deep connections and allows for authentic self-expression.

What does the StudentCPT look for in submissions? First, the student code of ethics. Student members set the standard for ethical leadership, ethical conduct and model ethical behavior. They accept responsibility and accountability for their individual decisions, actions and attitudes, engage in activities that enhance the credibility and value of the StudentCPT and themselves. They think and act with honesty and integrity, apply high standards of ethical behavior to their daily activities, maintain a high level of trust with others and build trust through fairness, honesty, accountability, integrity and transparency. The StudentCPT also likes to recognize students who do NOT engage in behaviors or activities that create potential, apparent or actual conflicts for the StudentCPT, the CPT or themselves.

When selecting award recipients, the StudentCPT looks at who exemplifies leadership on campus and in other environments the most. Are nominees doing what is required of them from clubs, organizations and their major or are they finding unique and necessary ways to better those around them?

Click the below buttons Tto view the 2026 faculty and student winners, and to submit names for the 2027 awards. 

2026 Facility Winners

Maddison Brasher, Dean Administrative Assistant, East Central University

Angela Baker, Accounting Professor, Oklahoma State University

Saundra McFarland, Business Administration, Jackson State University

Casey Frome, Management & Marketing, University of Wyoming

Kent Noble, Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics, University of Wyoming

Roseann M. Jones, Business and Public Administration, University of Guam

Colby Lakas, Professional Development in Accounting & Accounting Internship, Auburn University

Julia Bradley, Accounting Professor, The University of Southern Mississippi 

2026 Student Winners

Rachael Brooks, Accounting, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Zachary Idlett, ECU School of Business Scholar Leader Program, East Central University

Maxwell Johnson, Masters Accounting, East Central University

Rylee Kysar, Accounting, Oklahoma State University

Arrianna Smith, Accounting, Jackson State University

Owen Fink, Finance, Business Economics, Management, Blockchain and Honors, University of Wyoming

Christian Douglas, Business Administration in Accounting, University of Guam

Elle Jones, MBA-Finance concentration, Auburn University

Deamy Alvarado, Accounting, The University of Southern Mississippi

 

Submit 2027 nominees here.