NACUA's Distinguished Service Award

Christine Helwick - 2007

Christine Helwick has been General Counsel for the California State University and Secretary for the Institution since 1994. Prior to that, she worked at the University of California as Managing University Counsel–Litigation, Berkeley Campus Counsel, and Assistant Counsel-Litigation. She began her legal career working in private practice. Ms. Helwick received her B.A. from Stanford University, her M.A. from Northwestern University, and her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She also was the recipient of a 2006 Fulbright Award for the International Education Administrators Program in Germany.

Ms. Helwick first joined NACUA in 1979. Since then, she has served on virtually every committee, including Co-Chair of the Task Force on the Role and Structure of Committees; Co-Chair of the Committee on Information Services; and Chair of the Committees on Program for Annual Conference, Nominations and Elections, and Honors and Awards. Ms. Helwick was elected to the Board of Directors as a member-at-large in 1995, and again as Second Vice President in 1999. She served successively as First Vice President in 2000-2001, President-Elect in 2001-2002, and as NACUA’s President in 2002-2003. It was during her tenure as President that NACUA adopted its core values of quality, service, civility, collegiality, diversity, inclusiveness, and respect.

Chris Helwick has been a mentor and counselor to many of her NACUA colleagues, and a leader in the true sense of the word. All who have had the pleasure of working with her would agree that she epitomizes the essence of our profession and the essence of what NACUA represents – collegiality, civility, and professionalism. Her service to the Association has been exemplary. NACUA is pleased to bestow the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her long and faithful service to our profession and our Association.