The Staff Excellence Awards, which include a $1,000 stipend, are given to staff members who demonstrate superior accomplishments. Honorees are nominated by their peers once a year.
In 2023, the staff award categories and criteria were updated to better reflect our campus core values. Staff awards now fall into three categories:
Creator: The awardees intentionally create an inclusive and equitable community. They create access throughout campus by removing barriers for individuals to make the environment welcoming for everyone. Core Values represented: Inclusive and Access
Positive Influencer: The awardees show integrity through respectful interactions, serving others, building goodwill, transparency, and accountability. They influence by inspiring and empowering others to break through barriers, achieve their goals, and succeed. Core Values represented: Integrity and Success
Trailblazer: The awardees foster engagement with open-minded, inviting, and solution-oriented partnerships on campus and in the community. They drive change for the purpose of the greater good. Core Values represented: Engagement and Innovation
2024
2023 Creator Awardees:
Bob Ell, Senior International Program Coordinator, UMSL Global
Mitch Hess, Director of Student Financial Services, Student Financial Services
2023 Positive Influencer Awardees:
Francesca Ferrari, Director of Graduate Business Programs, College of Business Administration
Tivoli Majors, Business Manager, College of Education
2023 Trailblazer Awardees:
Carolyn Ostergaard, Optician, College of Optometry
Chris Scheetz, Director of ITS, Information Technology Services
2023
2023 Creator Awardees:
Sarah Butler, Teaching Center Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning
Brian Munoz, Staff Photojournalist and Multimedia Reporter, St. Louis Public Radio
2023 Positive Influencer Awardees:
Monica Farrell, Senior Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Business
Blake Schliesser, Senior Business Support Specialist, College of Education
2023 Trailblazer Awardees:
Amy Banken, Program Manager, Graduate School
Danielle Faucett, Associate Registrar
2022
- Matt McCluskey, Third Party Specialist, Student Financial Services
- Tchule S. Moore, EdD, Academic Advisor, School of Social Work
- Elizabeth "Betsy" Sampson, Senior Program/Project Coordinator, Academic Affairs
2021
- Bob Casey, Facilities, Service/Maintenance
- Kimberly Stanger, College of Arts and Sciences, Professional/Administrative
- Audri Adams, Pierre Laclede Honors College Office/Technical
2020
- Dale W. Huston, Facilities, Service/Maintenance
- Harry Harris, College of Nursing, Professional/Administrative
- Kristopher East, Education Sciences and Professional Programs and Educator Preparation, Innovation and Research, Office/Technical
2019
- Janice Petty, Custodial Services, Service/Maintenance
- Tiffany Magee, College of Nursing, Professional/Administrative
- Kathy Burney, Biology, Office/Technical
2018
- Henry L. Belton, Maintenance Services, Service/Maintenance
- Grace Chaudet Derda, College of Arts and Sciences, Professional/Administrative
- Theda Renee Oliver, College of Nursing, Office/Technical
2017
- Jacqueline Denise Taylor-Braxton, MSC Operations, Service/Maintenance
- Lucinda R. Vantine, University Events, Professional/Administrative
- Michelle Monique Davis, Theatre and Cinema Arts, Office/Technical
2016
- Mary "Peggy" Birdsong, MSC Operations, Service/Maintenance
- Shanta Kyles, Social Work, Professional/Administrative
- Sherry Hieken, Finance and Administration, Office/Technical
2015
- Samuel Darko, Custodial Services, Service/Maintenance
- Mary Brown, Information Technology, Professional/Administrative
- Debra Black, UMSL Police, Office/Technical
2014
- Susana Torres, Custodial Services, Service/Maintenance
- Larry Westermeyer, Institutional Research, Professional/Administrative
- Estella Rash, University Child Development, Office/Technical
2013
- John Burton, Facilities Services, Service/Maintenance
- Kelly Gregory, MIMH, Professional/Administrative
- Kimberly Stanger, Mathematics and Computer Science, Office/Technical
2012
- John Cahill, Institutional Safety, Service/Maintenance
- Candace Agnew, Office of the Chancellor, Professional/Administrative
- Mark Curry, Admissions, Office/Technical
2011
- Tom Lange, Mail Services, Service/Maintenance
- Barbara W. Brown, College of Optometry, Professional/Administrative
- Theresa Keuss, Registration, Office/Technical
2010
- Tony Clay, Mail Services, Service/Maintenance
- Tina Saunders, College of Nursing, Professional/Administrative
- Carolyn Jones, Anthropology, Office/Technical
2009
- Melvin Starkey, Maintenance Services, Service/Maintenance
- Tanika Busch, College of Arts & Sciences, Professional/Administrative
- Lana Vierdag, Political Science, Office/Technical
2008
- Michael Ellerman, Grounds, Service/Maintenance
- Paul Pratte, Information Technology Services, Professional/Administrative
- Alice Canavan, Physics and Astronomy, Office/Technical
2007
- Keven Usery, Grounds, Service/Maintenance
- Gloria Schultz, Admin Services/Aux Services, Professional/Administrative
- Debra Garcia, Economics, Office/Technical
2006
- Lee Gutmann, Grounds, Service/Maintenance
- Barbara W. Brown, Optometry, Professional/Administrative
- Mary Ellen Heckel, Graduate School, Office/Technical
2005
- John Burton, Maintenance Services, Service/Maintenance
- Catherine McNeal, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Office/Technical
- Benard Diggs, Millennium Student Center, Professional/Administrative
2004
- Danny Queen, Graphic Services, Service/Maintenance
- Mary Ann Hempen, Biology, Office/Technical
- Linda Royal, Student Affairs, Professional/Administrative
2003
- Robert Easton, Maintenance Services, Service/Maintenance
- Loyola Harvey, University Relations, Office/Technical
- Linda Callies, Music, Professional/Administrative
2002
- Bernice Gamble, Custodial Services, Service/Maintenance
- Norman Windsor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Office/Technical
- James Karslake, Foreign Languages and Literature, Professional/Administrative
2001
- Gary Parks, Facilities Services, Service/Maintenance
- Grace Williams, Alumni Center, Office/Technical
- Wayne Garver, Physics and Astronomy, Professional/Administrative
2000
- Melvin Starkey, Facilities Services, Service/Maintenance
- Kathy Burney-Miller, Social Work, Office/Technical
- Robert Baumann, Center for International Studies, Professional/Administrative
1999
- Thomas McEwen, Institutional Safety, Service/Maintenance
- Karen Walsh, Center for Academic Development, Office/Technical
- Grace Derda, College of Arts and Science, Professional/Administrative
1998
- Joseph Bess, Institutional Safety, Service/Maintenance
- Linda Miller, Political Science, Office/Technical
- Mary Ellen Heckel, Graduate School, Professional/Administrative
1997
- Larry Spelbrink, Business Services, Service/Maintenance
- Pam McCann, Office of Teacher Education, Office/Technical
- Betty Jarvis, Continuing Education and Outreach, Professional/Administrative
1996
- Dave Johnson, Physical Plant Operations, Service/Maintenance
- Lana Vierdag, Political Science, Office/Technical
- Debra Braun, Continuing Education/Arts and Sciences, Professional/Administrative
1995
- Peter Aleman, Physical Plant Operations, Service/Maintenance
- Cathy McNeal, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Office/Technical
- Karen Walker, University Relations, Professional/Administrative
1994
- Derrick Holmes, University Bookstore, Service/Maintenance
- Lois Raley, School of Education, Office/Technical
- Mushira Haddad, Library Support Services, Professional/Administrative
1993
- Dave Brown, Facilities Services, Service/Maintenance
- Yolanda Hawkins, Admissions, Office/Technical
- Janet Frantzen, Political Science, Professional/Administrative
1992
- Carol Usery, Grounds, Service/Maintenance
- Diane Hanes, Continuing Education and Outreach, Professional/Administrative
1991
- Mary Rapert, Graphic and Printing Services, Service/Maintenance
- Brenda Jaegar, English, Office/Technical
- Mary Pogue, Evening College, Professional/Administrative
