Tilly Shames, executive director of University of Michigan Hillel, won the 2013 Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award from Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

The award is given each year to professionals in various stages of their careers who have offered innovative approaches to enhancing campus life for Jewish undergraduate students.

Foundation officials said Shames was honored because she "encourages students to share their opinions and ensures that each student has space to express their views, acting as a remarkable mentor and Jewish role model."

Shames has been with University of Michigan Hillel since 2008. She previously worked at Hillel of Greater Toronto.

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