University Staff Awards

Each year, the Dean of the College of Letters & Science offers five awards recognizing outstanding performance, service, and/or contributions by L&S University Staff members.

L&S University Staff Awards honor staff members for their excellence in the following areas: effectiveness, innovation, creativity, originality, leadership, climate, and service to the university.

The 2022-23 recipients are Nancy Brinkerhoff, James Doing, Jr., Rhonda Kretschmer, Andrew Leinberger and Angelina Stone.

2022-2023 Recipients

Nancy Brinkerhoff

Nancy Brinkerhoff
Department of Statistics
Academic Program and Enrollment Coordinator

For many students, Nancy Brinkerhoff is one of the first people they interact with in the statistics department — and she makes it a point to make sure that their first impression is a good one. Kunling Huang, a Ph.D. student, recalls how Brinkerhoff impacted her experience in the department:

“During my first semester at the department, I was clueless due to the language barrier. Nancy patiently listened to my enrollment requests and even requests and concerns outside her business, while fulfilling them as soon as possible,” says Huang. “It's always good to know that Nancy is here to help.”

As the Academic Program and Enrollment Coordinator and the longest-serving employee on the current staff, Brinkerhoff ensures that the needs of students and faculty are effectively met. Whether she is ensuring that student enrollment issues are promptly addressed, accommodating faculty requests or simply lending an ear in the department’s main office, Brinkerhoff is crucial to the enrollment process.

“Her efficiency and friendliness has reduced a lot of stress for students anxious to get into a course,” says Professor Celine Ane.

Brinkerhoff’s impact goes beyond her role in the enrollment process. She is constantly thinking about ways to improve the department with the needs of stakeholders, faculty and students in mind. She has supported the department through multiple staffing transitions and helped to expand support resources for department staff with a better-maintained process for documentations.

Recently, Brinkerhoff actively participated in town hall meetings with architects during the planning phase of the new Computer, Data & Information Sciences building, making sure to be the voice to represent the statistics department and the individual needs within in it — including accommodations such as space for staff who interact with diverse stakeholders, breastfeeding employees, adequate common space to facilitate informal interactions and employees needing a convenient way to get up the building after parking their bike in the allotted space.

After twenty years serving the statistics department, Brinkerhoff’s impact is evident in the friendly smile that is recognized by faculty, staff and students, and her willingness to help.

“Without Nancy, our department would not be the same,” says Alissa Wilson, an Academic Program Manager. “Her dedication to the department is evident, and she is someone that everyone can turn to.”

James Doing, Jr.

James Doing, Jr.
Mead Witter School of Music
Graduate Program Manager

Good employees solve problems as they come, but great employees find ways to prevent issues from arising in the first place. James Doing Jr.’s colleagues describe him as the latter — always creating new systems and procedures that improve efficiency and functionality within his team.

As the graduate program manager for the Mead Witter School of Music, Doing, Jr. is essential to the admissions and funding of the graduate program. Those who work with him describe him as collaborative, helpful, witty and insightful and recognize him for his positive attitude and willingness to think of creative solutions.

“I’ve worked with him since 2012 and have found him to be a most valuable team member,” says Marina Drake, the department's graduate program coordinator. “Coping with change gracefully, continually improving processes and multi-tasking to a degree most people cannot aspire to.”

This year, Doing, Jr. took the initiative to develop new procedures for the department’s audition days, a daunting task in the department’s first year since coming out of the COVID-19 lockdown. He created a hybrid, remote audition policy that will be a great help not only for graduates applicants, but also for undergraduate recruitment.

“Coming out of Covid presented a great deal of uncertainty in regard to how our department completes its normal operations, as well as questions on how to proceed going forward,” says Jared Medard Jellison, the department's undergraduate admissions counselor. “James was a leader in this respect.”

Described as “an absolute subject matter expert in graduate admissions, funding and management of TAs, PAs and Fellows, in addition to other graduate students in the School of Music,” by student services and curriculum manager, Diana Wheeler, Doing, Jr. is an essential part of the team at the Mead Witter School of Music. His willingness to go above and beyond by creating new systems and processes, as well as his collaboration and communication skills are treasured among his colleagues.

“I couldn’t do without him,” says Wheeler. “He deserves recognition for his contributions.”

Rhonda Kretschmer

Rhonda Kretschmer
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Administrative Assistant III

Rhonda Kretschmer is a powerhouse when it comes to organization and getting things done. As the Communication Sciences and Disorders’ Administrative Assistant III, her work is central to the efficient workflow of many of the department’s processes, including the important work of faculty recruitment, student handbooks and engagement and event planning.

“Rhonda’s excellent organizational skills allow her to pull from a wealth of well-documented institutional knowledge and to serve as a go-to person,” says Amanda Talbert, the department's graduate program coordinator.

Kretschmer’s initiative is an invaluable resource within the department. Michael Block, a Communication Sciences and Disorders' system engineer describes how she aided those in the department through the return to full time, in-person learning and events by developing a workflow and template document to help with special event requests. These templates included helpful deadlines and guidance for catering, location reservations, lodging, and transportation.

“She handled the work like a true professional and made sure all of the events and meetings went smoothly,” says Block.

Kretschmer’s other contributions include academic year-end responsibilities like course evaluations and promotion packets, and her recent work on the recruitment and retention of six new faculty members stood out to her colleagues as an example of Kretschmer’s willingness to go above and beyond. The coordination needed for the process — which had an intense two-day interview and campus tour procedure for all 12 candidates — is a testament to Kretschmer’s dedication and organizational skills. As a bonus, the interviewees reflected that the process was one of the best they had ever experienced.

“We received rave reviews from our interviewees [on] how wonderful their experience was and this is in large thanks to Rhonda’s communication skills and initiative,” says Talbert. “This truly made an impact on the department’s ability to recruit the most competitive candidates to our department.”

When it comes to getting things done, Kretschmer is a team member that you can count on. Her readiness to go above and beyond, and her dedication to her department is cherished by her colleagues, as is her positive attitude and transparency.

“She has a positive attitude, and is gracious when others make mistakes or forget deadlines,” says Associate Professor Audra Sterling, “Due to her organization and forward thinking, she helps us avoid many setbacks with gentle reminders and systems to help prevent mistakes in the first place.”

Andrew Leinberger

Andrew Leinberger
Department of English
COMP SERV SEN, IT Specialist

It is not often that an entire department can say that they depend on one person in order to efficiently do their jobs. For the Department of English, colleagues of Andrew Leinberger say just that. As the department's IT Specialist, Leinberger ensures that all technology, including smart boards, zoom meetings and password protected web pages are running smoothly — and if they are not, he is quick to resolve the issue.

“Andrew is a lifeline for staff, faculty and students who depend on technologies to do their work,” says Spring Sherrod, English's department manager. “Overall, English department operations owe a great deal to Andrew’s skills and persistence in providing information technology services to the English Department and its five program areas.”

When he’s not responding to SOS messages from within the department, Leinberger works behind the scenes to ensure the security and integrity of online activities, purchase and maintain equipment and keep hardware and software for research and classroom instruction up to date. He also works to improve systems and technological resources for faculty, alumni and students within the department.

He recently conducted an overhaul of the department website, and, without being asked, created a staging site for the Creative Writing program that integrated the program’s site into the aesthetic and organizational structure of the department’s website — an effort that was highly appreciated by teaching faculty, Sean Bishop.

“The moment Andrew has seen an opportunity for, or a need of the Program in Creative Writing, he has pursued that opportunity without requiring to be asked or instructed to do so,” says Bishop. “Without exception we have been grateful for and pleased with the results of those efforts.”

Additionally, Leinberger’s work has also allowed the English department’s programming to be more accessible for people with disabilities. He worked expertly and attentively to help set up Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services in the department’s conference rooms. Now, students and guests with hearing loss can attend lectures and workshops with confidence that they can participate fully. He also coordinated with the McBurney Resource Center to ensure that departmental classrooms meet the requirements of students.

Instructional coordinator and distinguished teaching faculty Ronald Harris notes that Leinberger’s office is the busiest in the department. Yet, he is patient and efficient in solving problems for those that come to him.

“Andrew Leinberger’s respect for others shines through,” says department chair Christa Olson. “His easy-going willingness to help makes the people around him feel comfortable, and he encourages us to ask questions, even when we know they are pretty basic, maybe even ridiculous.”

Angelina Stone

Angelina Stone
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Administrative Assistant

Proactive. Eager. Consistent. These are the recurring words that Angelina Stone’s colleagues use to describe the administrative assistant at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SJMC). When she is not using her skills to be a resource for students, Stone can be found working on solutions to expand vital processes — including scholarships, recruitment and DEI efforts — within the department.

“Angelina Stone has made a material and lasting impact to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s,” says teaching faculty Peter Long. “She is a consistent and welcoming presence for undergraduate students who seek advice and counsel from when they first decide to apply for admission on up through their application to graduate from our program.”

Stone’s contributions to SJMC are evident by looking at the undergraduate application process, which she reworked in order to move to a new system that dramatically improved the student experience. By ideating and implementing key changes, Stone helped SJMC increase the number of admits last semester from 105 to 120, as more students were able to start and complete the streamlined admissions application process than in recent semesters.

“Every initiative Angelina is involved with has benefitted from her push to utilize available technology to our benefit,” says Long. “From our undergraduate admissions process to committee work on our public engagement and DEI efforts.”

Dr. Sue Robinson, the Helen Firstbook Franklin Professor of Journalism, serves on the DEI committee with Stone and says that she regularly goes above and beyond her position to share ideas, feedback and brainstorm solutions to some of our persistent problems.

“I love that about her,” says Robinson. “Her willingness to share her time and engage with all these issues that improve the climate for everyone in our school.”

Stone works tirelessly to ensure the progress of the SJMC in multiple ways. Whether she is creating a permanent repository of documents and records for the Public Engagement Committee, developing a step-by-step visual guide explaining how SJMC students should navigate the WISH hub or extending support to students during their application process, Stone is a consistent force that drives the school forward.

“Angelina contributes to the creation of a positive workplace climate in the SJMC by showing up each day as her authentic self — diligent, thorough, helpful, and welcoming,” says Long. “Her dedication to the continuous-improvement mindset nets our entire School efficiencies in many areas.”

All Recipients

2022-2023

  • Nancy Brinkerhoff, Department of Statistics
  • James Doing, Jr., Mead Witter School of Music
  • Rhonda Kretschmer, Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Andrew Leinberger, Department of English
  • Angelina Stone, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

2021-2022

  • Dominic Colosi, Department of Chemistry
  • Patrick Egan, Department of Chemistry
  • Julie Olson Paul, Department of Botany
  • Thor Rothering, Department of German, Nordic, and Slavic
  • Dee Van Ruyven, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences

2020-2021

  • Jennifer Fandel, Department of English
  • Henry Mayes, Department of Mathematics
  • Shawn Ramer, Department of French and Italian
  • Marc Willadsen, Department of Chemistry
  • David Wright-Racette, La Follette School of Public Affairs

2019-2020

  • Jane Fox Anderson, Department of Geoscience
  • Kurtis Casperson, Department of Chemistry
  • Mary Noles, Department of French and Italian & Department of Comparative Literature and Folklore Studies
  • Lori Ushman, Information School (iSchool)
  • Jana Valeo, Department of History

2018-2019

  • Charlene Horsfall, Department of Chemistry
  • James Mullarkey, Department of Chemistry
  • Pam Fashingbauer, Center for Limnology
  • Dana Connelly, Institute for Research on Poverty
  • Duane Barnes, Department of Integrative Biology

2017-2018

  • Michael Bradley, Department of Chemistry
  • Brenda Hemstead, Department of Geography
  • Steven Myers, Department of Chemistry
  • Kelly O'Ferrell, Center for Limnology
  • Su Ann Rose, Department of Gender & Women's Studies

2016-2017

  • Patrick Brenzel, Department of Sociology
  • Robin Snell, Institute for Research on Poverty
  • Karen Stephens, Department of Chemistry
  • Kerry O’Neil, School of Music
  • Tammi Simpson, Department of Spanish & Portuguese

2015-2016

  • James Zernicke, Department of Chemistry
  • Spring Sherrod, Department of English
  • Marjorie Matthews, La Follette School of Public Affairs
  • Wendy Margolis, School of Music
  • Toni Schulze, Department of Sociology

2014-2015

  • Diane Bollant-Peschl, Department of Comparative Literature and Folklore Studies
  • Lora Grant, Department of Philosophy
  • Mathew Martin, Department of Chemistry
  • Cecilia Stodd, Department of Chemistry
  • Daun Wheeler, Letters & Science Administration

2013-2014

  • Carol Cooley, Department of Zoology
  • April Leslie, Department of Chemistry
  • Patricia Winspur, Department of Philosophy
  • Dawn Duren, Institute for Research on Poverty
  • Meenu Verma, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

2012-2013

  • William Bach, Department of Classics
  • Billy Gates, Department of Physics
  • Ann Harris, Institute for Research in the Humanities
  • Betty Harwood, Department of Chemistry
  • John Koger, Department of Psychology

2011-2012

  • Mary Czynszak-Lyne, L&S Honors Program
  • Rosana Perez-Ellman, Department of Chemistry
  • Dolores Liamba, Department of Afro-American Studies
  • Kathleen (Kat) Myhre, Department of Chemistry
  • Ed Vasiukevicius, Department of Chemistry

2010-2011

  • Kristi Heming, Department of Chemistry
  • Christy Horstmeyer, Department of Philosophy
  • Angela Powell, Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia
  • Vicki Sekel, Social Science Research Services
  • David Harring, Center for Limnology

2009-2010

  • Bruce Goldade, Department of Chemistry
  • Tom Ladell, Department of Chemistry
  • Andrea Palm, Department of French & Italian
  • Jerry Stamn, Department of Chemistry
  • Karen Turino, Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahamic Religions

2008-2009

  • Mary Beth Ellis, Department of Economics
  • Susan Grass, Department of French & Italian
  • Susan Fenton, Religious Studies Program
  • Brian Karas, Department of Chemistry
  • Dianne Mitchell, Department of Chemistry

2007-2008

  • Susan Barthel, Student Academic Affairs
  • Susan Cory, L&S Copy Centers
  • Shelley Glodowski, Department of Philosophy
  • Robin Shanahan, Department of English
  • Terry Maggio, Department of English

2006-2007

  • Laura Anderson, Student Academic Affairs
  • Margarette Erdman, Department of Anthropology
  • Roberta Ostrander, Department of Chemistry
  • Michael Pecore, Center for Limnology
  • Mehdi Rezai, L&S Administration

2005-2006

  • Cheryl Arn, Department of French & Italian
  • Mary Barber, Department of English
  • Ron Brockman, Cross-College Advising Services
  • Jefferson Burkett, Department of Chemistry
  • Jane Williams, Department of History

2004-2005

  • Phyllis Fass, Department of Astronomy
  • Arnold Gudel, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
  • Gail Johnson, School of Music
  • Anita Lightfoot, Department of Jewish Studies
  • Sue Martin-Zernicke, Department of Chemistry

Nominate a great university staff member.

For more information about University Staff Awards, please contact Diana Allaby.