Nancy Tierney has been named the SCUP 2010 Distinguished Service Award Recipient. She currently is the Associate Dean, Planning & Facilities, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Her well-deserved selection is based on many accomplishments and contributions to SCUP over 25 years in numerous roles, including presenter; regional conference chair; SCUP international conference program chair; at-large member of the board of directors, member of a regional council; and SCUP president.

Beyond these more public roles, Tierney has also made significant behind-the-scenes contributions, having served on various task forces, committees and working groups. She chaired the SCUP task force on sustainability in 2001-03 and again in 2008-09; served on the SCUP culture task force; assisted on the development of the three-step planning institute; and advanced the production of SCUP audio conferences and broadcasts.

Beyond these more formal SCUP roles, Tierney has contributed to the organization in quiet ways as a mentor to members and emerging leaders through her warm, wise, and caring style.

In addition to the benefits she has brought to SCUP by her direct involvement, Tierney has elevated the organization by playing key roles in other leading national organizations such as the Group on Institutional Planning, Association of American Medical Colleges, and the American Planning Association.

Tierney’s career in higher education epitomizes that of the successful member of SCUP. Following her BS at the University of Kentucky and Masters in Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati, she has been:

• University Planner and Campus Planner, University of Chicago, 1981-83
• Consultant and Researcher, Facilities Management Institute, Ann Arbor, 1984-88
• Facilities Planner, University of Michigan Medical School, 1988-2002
• Director, Facilities Planning and Management, Stanford School of Medicine, 2002-08
• Associate Dean, Planning & Facilities, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 2008-present

Nancy fits both categories of the ideal SCUP member: public leader; and quiet, unassuming member, always contributing, by what she does and simply by being who she is.