Alumni Awards

Monique Salinas‐Stauffer received her undergraduate degree in music education from Aquinas College in 1978, earned her master of music from Central Michigan University, and her PhD in music education from Michigan State University.

Monique’s numerous accolades include: 2003 YWCA Tribute Winner, one of four American conductors chosen to study with renowned conductor Jean Ashworth Bartle in Toronto (2006), winner of four first‐place awards in the Chicago Midwest Regional Competitions, feature in Grand Rapids Press Sunday profile, and 2010 nominee for President Obama’s National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award (formerly Coming Up Taller).

Currently, Monique serves on the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, ACDA, Toastmasters, and Non‐profit Executive Roundtable. She also serves as the executive director of The Girls Choral Academy, which she founded 10 years ago in to help increase young girls’ self‐esteem with strong women role models. Salinas continues to be actively involved in the Aquinas College music program.

Nominated for the award by the Aquinas College Black Alumni Society, Patrick Miles received his undergraduate degrees from Ferris State University and Spring Arbor College. In 1996, Patrick earned a master of management degree from Aquinas College at the age of 60.

Pat worked as a buyer at Steelcase from 1973 until he retired in 1998. A certified purchasing manager, he was the first African‐American senior buyer at Steelcase. Pat also taught operation management classes as an adjunct professor for the Aquinas College Master of Management Program for several years.

Pat’s community involvement includes: serving as president of the Grand Rapids Urban League Board of Directors and serving on the board of directors of Community Circle Theatre, the Board of the Aquinas Emeritus College, the Board of the Grand Rapids Optimist Club, United Way of West Michigan Allocation Committee, and the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.