Gold Axe 2026 Awards
This year, the College of Health and Human Services at Northern Arizona University is excited to recognize a select group of students and the esteemed Educators of Influence who have been honored with the prestigious Gold Axe Award. These individuals embody the values of dedication, service, and leadership, continuously going above and beyond in their roles and making a meaningful impact on the community. Hear directly from the honorees below to learn about the remarkable achievements and the inspiring ways they contribute to the betterment of those around them.
CHHS Student: Samantha Witterstauter
Major: Health Sciences – Allied Health
Educator of Influence: Dr. Priscilla Sanderson
Samantha: I chose Dr. Sanderson because she consistently goes above and beyond to make her students feel seen, supported, and valued. Her kindness, encouragement, and genuine passion for teaching have made a lasting impact on me and my experience at NAU. As a first generation college student, attending NAU was once a dream that felt out of reach, and I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. Through my involvement at NAU, my work as an occupational therapy assistant, and the meaningful relationships I’ve made along the way, I’ve grown so much both personally and professionally. More than anything, I hope I’ve left my mark on NAU through the connections I’ve made, the people I’ve encouraged, and the small ways I’ve been able to make others feel supported and valued.
Dr. Sanderson: Samantha deserves the Gold Axe award due to her professionalism, respect, and kindness. Sam is resilient and cares for those around her and excels with her outreach efforts to make others’ lives better. Sam is dedicated to becoming an occupational therapist to meet the rehabilitation needs of her young patients, which is a shout-out to our up-and-coming caring professional. An awesome role model for our Lumberjack community!
CHHS Student: Isabella Guzman
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Educator of Influence: Dr. Lindsey Hiebert
Isabella: I chose Dr. Hiebert because she gave me the opportunity to be part of her research team in the BILL Lab during my sophomore year, and that experience opened so many doors for me and helped me grow both academically and professionally. Additionally, her 300W class taught me so much about culturally responsive care in my field, and I was especially grateful to learn about these topics from someone I look up to and whose work has influenced the kind of SLP I hope to become.
During my time at NAU, I hope I have left my mark by helping create a more connected, inclusive, and supportive community within the CSD department. Through my involvement in NSSLHA, ASL Club, and other student organizations, I have worked to create opportunities for students to build relationships with one another, connect with professionals, and feel a sense of belonging. I also hope that my involvement in research and the CSD department has encouraged other students to explore opportunities beyond the classroom. Lastly, I hope the relationships I have built and the communities I have contributed to will continue to make NAU a more welcoming place for the students who come after me.
Dr. Hiebert: Isabella has taken every opportunity to learn about culturally responsive practices and bilingual research in the field of speech-language pathology. She served as the Culture and Community Support Chair for the NAU chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and worked as a research assistant in the Bilingual Intervention and Language Learning (BILL) lab directed by Dr. Hiebert. These activities have allowed Bella to connect with Hispanic communities in Arizona and will serve her in supporting equity in education and clinical practice in the future.