Staff Council is thrilled to announce the 2024 Staff Day Awards nominees. The campus community is invited to the opening ceremony of Staff Day at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 30.

The eligible nominees for the 2024 Staff Excellence Awards are as follows:

Bridge Builder

This award recognizes a person who works to link two groups or individuals together for the common good of Missouri S&T.

• Melissa Chambers, senior business services consultant for sponsored programs.
• Lucretia Eaton, director of finance for fiscal services.
• Peter Ehrhard, senior strategic communications consultant for marketing and communications.
• Megan Fowler, business operations associate for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
• Stacey Fuller, executive assistant for facilities planning and operations.
• Trini Lilly, executive assistant to the Kummer Institute.
• Ashley Newton, business operations associate for the College of Engineering and Computing.
• Ayako Ohrenberger, business operations associate for sponsored programs.
• Jacquelyn Sansone, assistant director of business administration for fiscal services.
• Kathy Shepherd, senior business operations associate for sponsored programs.

Excellence in Work

This award recognizes a person who always goes above and beyond, has exceptional skills and knowledge in their job, and is always professional, respectful and kind.

• Casey Bouse, assistant director for campus experience for admissions.
• Wendy Brumett, custodian for residential life.
• Melissa Chambers, senior business services consultant for sponsored programs.
• Dallas Clements, system support analyst for information technology.
• Mitch Cottrell, engineer for mechanical and aerospace engineering.
• Wendy Estes, strategic partner for human resources.
• Megan Fowler, business operations associate for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
• Tom French, senior building inspector for design and construction management.
• Jessica Gargus, director of student support services for well-being.
• Nick Harris, groundskeeper for landscape and custodial services.
• Scott Matthew Hicks, refrigeration mechanic for facilities services.
• Greg Huffman, facilities supervisor for facilities services.
• Leroy Kierstead, support systems administrator for information technology.
• Mark Leathers, manager of access control systems for design and construction management.
• Rebecca (Becky) Merrell, acquisitions coordinator for library and learning resources.
• Sarah Moore, student recruitment specialist for admissions.
• Angelica Nuno, senior assistant director of business administration for fiscal services.
• Michael Pierce, campus photographer for marketing and communications.
• Patricia Reising, housing services specialist for residential life.
• Cynthia Stevenson, grants and contract specialist for sponsored programs.
• Ethan Taber, manager of the nuclear reactor for nuclear engineering and radiation science.
• Heather Thurston, office support assistant for residential life.
• Sheri Warren, senior business support specialist for Kummer Student Programs.
• Gina Webb, senior associate director of business administration for sponsored programs.
• Pam Williams, program/project support coordinator for student affairs.

Student-Centric Focus

This award recognizes a person who is focused on the student’s perspective and helping students in any way they can.

• Jeffery Cameron, system support analyst for information technology.
• Michael Pleimann, academic success and retention strategist for undergraduate education.
• Skylar Rea, engineering technician for mechanical and aerospace engineering.
• Crystal Wilson, assistant registrar.
• Shannon Young, program manager of student support services for Kummer Student Programs.

Outstanding Newcomer Award

This award shows appreciation and recognition for a staff member who is new to campus and making an impact. The award will be given to a staff member who has made significant contributions to Missouri S&T as a new staff member hired within the last two years.

• Norma-Gene Cottrell, academic advisor for electrical and computer engineering.
• Kait Lynn Cupples, human resources specialist for human resources.
• Matthew Dalton, makerspace coordinator for Kummer Student Programs.
• Matthew Deckard, construction manager for design and construction management.
• Lurong (Dena) He, senior communications coordinator for mechanical and aerospace engineering.
• Erika Jacobs, assistant director and child development specialist for education.
• Christina Jones, business support specialist for student design and experiential learning.
• Yuri Go, program and project support coordinator for electrical and computer engineering.
• Christina Harrison, office support assistant for arts, languages and philosophy.
• Divina Leyba, business support specialist for the registrar.
• Stephanie Lewis, executive assistant for the College of Engineering and Computing.
• Stephanie Murray-Miller, student support services manager for well-being.
• Emily King O’Donnell, senior grant writer for research and innovation.
• Anna Ramirez, business support specialist for English and technical communication.
• Justin Rauls, assistant director of transfer admissions.
• Amanda Schlegel, office support assistant for energetic materials, rock characterization and geomechanics.
• Mary Whitman, executive assistant for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Outstanding Faculty Award

This award shows appreciation for and recognition for a faculty member who is actively engaged in supporting staff. The award is to acknowledge a faculty member who promotes the values of S&T and staff and is an outstanding member of the campus community.

• Dr. Klaus Woelk, associate professor and associate dean for academic affairs for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
• Dr. Daoru (Frank) Han, associate professor for mechanical and aerospace engineering.