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2024 Staff Appreciation Award Winners
March 20, 2024
Recipients of UNT’s 2024 Staff Awards were recognized during the 2024 Staff Appreciation Luncheon March 19 at the UNT Coliseum.
At the March 19 Staff Appreciation Luncheon presented by DATCU, 40 staff members received individual staff awards and another 38 were part of three teamwork awards. Also, staff member Monserrat Navarro with Admissions was presented with the President’s Special Recognition Award.
Everyone was rewarded with fajitas, and door prize winners went home with items ranging from pickleball paddles and popcorn poppers to a pair of tickets to a Cowboys game. And one lucky winner will have lunch with President Smatresk — before Aug. 1.
The president kicked off the celebration with some heartfelt words for staff:
“It’s a little bittersweet to be here. This is my last chance to show how much I appreciate you in public, but know that even when I step down, I’ll be grateful for everything that you do.
“It’s been a great run this past 10 years and one of the things that delights me more than anything is getting to interact with you. We’ve been on a listening tour lately, hearing from faculty and staff members. … I ask people, ‘What is it that you love about the university, what is it that makes you want to stay?’ Every single time, they say, ‘It’s the people. It’s the people I work with, it’s knowing that there’s a friendly community, people who collaborate with me, people who I enjoy being with every day. That keeps me here.’
“So for all of you, I hope you have that same sense of camaraderie — the caring nature, the support you show for each other, how you pull together when times are tough like the COVID years, and how you really have stepped it up as we’ve grown to become the third-largest university in the state of Texas.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you. Thank you for having a great culture, thank you for the hard work that you do. You’re the backbone of this institution..."
“I have heard so many times from so many of you that you love being part of this institution, that you have deep roots in the community and in the people invested around you. I want you to know that I feel the same way after 10 years of being here. I feel that UNT becomes a part of the fabric of every day, part of what you do, part of how you feel, part of what you believe in as our mission to help our students be successful, and we couldn’t do what we’re doing without all of you. So, I celebrate you today.”
The staff award winners recognized are:
Steve Miller Outstanding Employee Award
Chelsea Bradshaw, Director of Student Success
Chelsea is dedicated to ensuring UNT students and her fellow staff members soar by working diligently to provide them with the resources and guidance they need to achieve their goals. Last year, Chelsea worked tirelessly in collaboration with UNT’s Department of Mathematics and Division of Planning to pilot the TSI Summer Bridge Program, which gives incoming freshmen who are TSI incomplete in math the opportunity to begin their UNT career equipped with the foundational math skills they need. Among staffers in Advising Services, Chelsea cultivates an environment of respect and encouragement, leading with positivity, empathy and understanding while demonstrating a commitment to excellence and to UNT’s shared values.
Jarrod Jenkins, Associate Director of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office and Deputy Coordinator
For more than six years, Jarrod has dedicated himself to the vital work tasked to UNT’s Equal Opportunity and Title IX office. Since beginning as an investigator, he has served as a hearing officer, panelist and advocate for the students, faculty and staff whose cases have made their way through the office’s procedures. On several occasions, he served as interim director, working to rectify and close challenging cases while also facilitating important training sessions for incoming faculty and students. Jarrod’s sense of justice and demonstrated compassion — coupled with his unwavering dedication to the UNT community — are inspiring, and he is admired by colleagues for his commitment to treating others with kindness, respect and fairness.
Tori Smith, Director of Budget and Operations in Research and Innovation
Tori manages budgets for more than 15 departments and her hard work and dedication set her apart as a caring and resourceful leader. After the 2021 winter storm, Tori secured more than $350,000 to support and repair research assets affected by the weather and resulting outages. She also spearheaded the revamp of UNT’s budgeting process for institutes. Her dedication to professional development was evident when she invested more than 40 hours into completing HR supervisor training, and her new skills were put to the test when she processed a remarkable 86 submissions for job postings, reclassifications, equity adjustments and more over the course of just two years. Tori’s positivity, compassion and willingness to help others, even under the most challenging circumstances, make her an invaluable asset to her team and the UNT community.
Kimberley Wells, Director of Operation in Financial Aid and Scholarships
Kim is clever, persistent and dedicated to excellence in everything she does. In her 10 years at UNT, Kim has brought her unique perspective, boundless knowledge and tireless energy to every task. This past year, she spearheaded a project that resulted in earlier FTIC financial aid awarding, improving communications with students and awarding fund controls. Kim previously served as a member of the FAS Scholarship Team and the Registrar’s Office, and she currently serves as a member of the FAS Leadership Team. In every position, Kim has proven herself to be an invaluable employee, colleague and leader for the university. She provides assistance and guidance with flawless follow-through, all without compromising her short- or long-term goals.
Craig Zemmin, Director of Housing Business Operations and Auxiliary Facilities
Craig has taken on a pivotal role for students and staff with his dedicated work to support the goals of the department, division and institution. He has led numerous projects for Housing and Residence Life, which have resulted in $1 million in improvements to residence halls and more than $6 million in overall capital improvement projects. He leads by example and brings an energy to his department that leaves his staff feeling empowered to do their best work, communicate openly and collaborate effectively. Craig embodies UNT’s values outside of the workday as well: He’s an active member of the Alumni Association, attends athletics events and volunteers in support of student initiatives. Craig has a unique ability to make staff members want to perform at an elevated level and become not just better employees, but better people.
Administrative Professionals Award
Marvis Orzek, Administrative Coordinator in Information Technology and Decision Sciences
A leader, problem-solver and brilliant mentor, Marvis keeps the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences running. She consistently seeks out opportunities to enhance processes and procedures around her, thereby improving them for others and making the office a welcoming and happy place. Her thoughtful and insightful approach to her work allowed her to manage much of the planning and execution of her department’s 2023 CyberOctober event — which culminated in the Cybersecurity Symposium — all while mentoring her new hire. With her deep knowledge of department practices and uplifting presence, Marvis has become the go-to person for other administrative coordinators and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever she can.
Michelle Patnett, Administrative Coordinator for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction and Facilities Information Services
A remarkable and valued member of these Facilities teams (FPDC and FIS), Michelle ensures they run smoothly by managing director-level activities and commitments. She also handles a wide array of business needs in areas such as office management, fleet management and vendor relations as well as any other tasks assigned to her. With her strong dedication to serving the UNT community, Michelle seeks to enhance the customer experience and continuously improve business practices in order to do so. From processing project requests to managing FPDC’s key check in/out program, she is a creative problem-solver whose curiosity pushes her to take initiative in understanding ways to improve internal logistics, maintain effective department functionality and increase quality of customer service. Michelle’s optimism, remarkable communication and professionalism are all reflected in the work she does that embodies what it means to serve the university with integrity, positivity and tact.
Creating UNiTy Award
Rebecca Icossipentarhos, Manager of Building Information Management in Facilities
Becca prioritizes building a community that addresses the needs and concerns of others. Her active approach to inclusivity was evident in 2021 when she led the effort to enhance braille signage in the College of Music in response to a resolution from the UNT Student Government Association. Becca has stepped up in many other ways, including serving as interim computer-aided design manager to maintain operational efficiency and guarantee seamless communication between Facilities departments. She not only offers outstanding support to colleagues, but also recognizes the significance of clarifying Facilities procedures related to campus projects to keep the community well-informed. Becca may hold just one job title, but her invaluable contributions to the university are equivalent to those of many.
Nadia Mankins, Data Warehouse Architect in Data Analytics and Institutional Research
Both a dreamer and a doer, Nadia exemplifies what it means to advocate for the potential of all UNT students. She spends time as a mentor and engages with many groups to expand participation of all students, including female and Latin students. Nadia also advises on several university initiatives aimed at expanding access for Hispanic students, including STEM grants, scholarship awards and internship opportunities for current and future students. She is deeply engaged with the UNT community and has dedicated her time and efforts to ÚNeTe, Unlikely Allies in the Academy, the Office of Outreach and other campus partners. A tireless supporter of UNT’s mission, Nadia is always searching for opportunities to benefit the university and the students she serves.
Sam Nikolai, Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation
Sam is committed to fostering positive collaborations within UNT. While she strongly supports student success, she also prioritizes listening to every member of cross-divisional teams to ensure they benefit from the decisions made collectively. Sam was instrumental to the development of the online B.A.A.S. and the online bachelor’s degree in general business in partnership with Coursera. Additionally, Sam has been pivotal in cultivating a positive and foundational relationship between DSI and DSA, with the objective of enabling online students to engage in building a community at UNT. Sam leads with compassion, confidence, courage and openness, and her efforts have nurtured inventive, uplifting and respectful environments across UNT.
Customer Service Award
Jenna Ash-Dean, Registrar Coordinator
Jenna serves as the point person for degree conferral and does so with ease. She understands and highly values the importance of awarding degrees — an often thankless task — and she welcomes Commencement weekend with positivity and enthusiasm. Jenna maintains a student-first mentality, advocating for future UNT alumni and following through on inquiries in a courteous and timely manner in order to remove barriers and improve the overall student experience. She also conducts training for her colleagues on how to use UNT’s main student technology system and is known for her patience and ability to explain complex systems in a way others can understand.
Jan Clountz, Director of Creative Project Management in University Brand Strategy and Communications
As project director, Jan oversees the initiation and execution of major projects that come through UNT’s Division of University Brand Strategy and Communications. Recently, she led the effort to streamline Printing and Distribution Solutions from the ground up, leading to a major reduction in costs, increased efficiency and better service delivery for PDS customers. Jan also led a team to address a critical issue related to the First Time in College viewbook, collaborating with multiple departments to quickly resolve the problem and ensure prospective UNT students received their viewbooks promptly and error free. Her dedication to improving customer service and student retention is consistently reflected in her project leadership.
John Fryar, Utilities Supervisor for Frisco Landing Facilities
John serves as the utilities supervisor for Frisco Landing, but he is much more than that to his colleagues. He’s known as the “go-to” person for the Frisco Landing community, going out of his way to be helpful and solve problems, even if they fall outside his official responsibilities. Whether he’s assisting with event coordination, responding to an after-hours emergency or building caring relationships with students, faculty and visitors, his dedication to Frisco Landing is unmatched. John is a vital member of the UNT family who represents Facilities with pride, embodies the university’s shared values and provides outstanding customer service to everyone he meets.
Jessie Gardner, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Leadership and Culture Development and Senior Woman Administrator
Jessie manages and fosters the development of all Mean Green student-athletes, supports the culture and leadership development of staff and coaches and represents UNT within the American Athletic Conference. Student-athlete engagement has soared under her leadership, including 115 hours of programming in the areas of professional advancement and community engagement as well as 10 development sessions related to personal branding, money management, entrepreneurship and more. Jessie also spearheads the Mean Green Connect Committee, focusing on department development and interpersonal connection, supports UNT’s volleyball team as sport program administrator and serves on the UNT System Values Council. She goes above and beyond for her department, tackling her many roles with a positive attitude and collaborative mindset.
Matthew Ward, Executive Chef of Residential Dining
Whether it’s tracking down a hard-to-find ingredient or sourcing special items to make an event truly stand out, executive chef Matthew always goes the extra mile to create the best dining experience possible. His attention to detail and genuine care have earned him a Loyal E. Horton Dining Award from the National Association of College & University Food Services, and he also holds a leadership role with the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy and sustainable food options. A role model to students and colleagues alike, Matthew isn’t just a culinary expert and dedicated professional — he’s a true leader and champion for UNT Dining Services.
Digital Innovation Award
Aundrea Caraway, Online Student Experience Manager in Student Affairs
After more than seven years in Orientation and Transition Programs, Aundrea now serves as the online student experience expert in OTP. She is integral to moving many programs online, creating digital solutions and collaborating with campus partners on large initiatives. Most notably, she was the catalyst in creating program code and attendance capabilities within the card swipe system. Her creativity and attention to detail bring both professionalism and fun to the online space, and she continues to prove her dedication to the student experience by introducing new elements to programs, launching Online Student Engagement Week and finding new ways to capture data. Forward-thinking and collaborative, Aundrea is an asset to UNT and most deserving of recognition.
Excellence in Leadership Award
Julie Payne, Assistant Vice President of Communications in University Brand Strategy and Communications
Julie embodies UNT’s values and mission, and her commitment to the university is inspiring. Her own work is impeccable, but her dedication to growing and supporting her team is where she truly excels. This past year, Julie deftly navigated a period of reduced staffing, keeping spirits up among staff who were doing more with less while training new employees and balancing the demands of a legislative session. She has led countless initiatives throughout her tenure at UNT that have successfully cut costs and increased efficiency and is an empathetic leader who prioritizes her employees’ autonomy and work-life balance. Julie is well respected across campus and by the university’s top leaders for her accomplishments and care for staff — in UBSC and beyond.
Foundational Champion
Jimmy Grounds, Assistant Director of Asset Management in the Budget Office
Through his work in Asset Management, Jimmy has made significant contributions to enhance UNT and foster employee engagement. As a manager, Jimmy inspires employees to do their best and encourages his team to get involved in the university community such as volunteering to serve as Wellbeing Champions. By introducing initiatives to recycle surplus materials, he’s prevented items from reaching landfills and saved the university money — helping UNT and the environment. His periodic audits have sped up the annual inventory process that he manages to keep UNT compliant with state and federal regulations. And through the monthly email newsletter he compiles, Jimmy has created a valuable communication that keeps the university community well informed about the updates and resources available from Asset Management.
Patricia Huckabee, Admissions Processing Supervisor
As the driving force behind admissions application processing, Trish’s impact can be felt across campus. She works diligently to ensure academic transcripts, documents and admitted student packets are processed promptly and sent to the correct location. Her job is never seen by the students, but without her leadership, they would experience significant delays in the admissions process. A champion for process improvement who’s not afraid to roll up her sleeves and support her team at any time, Trish works to identify gaps and partners with multiple staff members to create and implement sustainable solutions. Strategic and hard-working, Trish is attuned to the needs of the campus, serving as a role model and exemplifying UNT’s forward-thinking and collaborative spirit.
Anthony Rodriguez, Learning Data Specialist in Business Operations Training
Anthony manages the administration and coordination of training programs and reports in Bridge, UNT’s learning management system, including data statistics, training preparation, measuring outcomes and problem-solving. While most of Anthony’s work occurs behind the scenes, it’s crucial for the smooth and effective implementation of faculty and staff training across the university. Anthony is always on top of their game, consistently striving to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of learning and data, whether that means exploring new technologies or seeking new perspectives on methodology. A first-generation UNT alum and a trusted colleague, Anthony creates a vibrant and collaborative work environment with their upbeat personality and exemplary contributions to the UNT community.
Melissa Tanner, Administrative Coordinator in Anthropology
Melissa has worked in her position for 20 years and is the foundation of the Department of Anthropology. During her tenure, she’s worked with four different chairs, training each on UNT and department policies, systems and budgets. Melissa works behind the scenes humbly, coming into the office each day, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure the doors are open to support faculty and students. She takes charge of events, purchasing supplies, arriving early to set up and frequently staying late to clean up, always showing up the next day with a smile. Her unwavering dedication to her job, her coworkers and students, and the humility with which she performs her duties, truly embody the mission and caring spirit of UNT.
Mentorship Award
Jamie Adams, Associate Athletic Director for Marketing
Throughout his nearly 20 years at UNT, Jamie did an incredible job mentoring employees, marketing interns and student workers. UNT Athletics offers a strong and robust marketing internship program, and he played an integral role in its marketing efforts while making a lasting impact — not just in the athletics department, but across the university. He invested in his people, was admired and loved by his students and interns, and epitomized UNT Athletics’ mission of developing leaders and building champions. His mentorship, guidance and care were evidenced by the countless students and interns who secured jobs after working with Jamie and UNT Athletics.
Bethany Evans, Executive Director of Counseling and Testing Services
Since stepping into the role of executive director in May 2023, Bethany has worked tirelessly to foster an environment of collaboration, transparency and camaraderie. She takes time to show appreciation to specific staff members for the ways they are serving students and is devoted to providing equitable opportunities for professional growth. Bethany also has enacted several significant changes to make Counseling and Testing Services more accessible for all students, including working with the DSA communications team to make the website more user-friendly and collaborating with IT to transition appointments to an online scheduling system that has improved the student experience, benefited the front desk staff and improved the center’s overall appointment attendance rate.
Abhishek Sharma, Senior Research Associate in Materials Science and Engineering
Postdoctoral scholar Abhishek has made a tremendous impact on student researchers in the materials science and engineering lab of Regents Professor Raj Banerjee. Abhishek’s intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for the work is infectious. As a patient and caring mentor, he ensures that students understand the fundamentals of complicated scientific concepts and provides constructive feedback to help them learn. His exceptional leadership and focus on professional development have inspired students to pursue research experiences, helped them develop more confidence with lab work and encouraged them to stay engaged in the field. As a teaching assistant, he shows his dedication to students through additional tutorial sessions, hands-on learning and availability for questions on challenging topics. His mentorship extends beyond academics as he also guides students in navigating the challenges that come with moving to a new place and getting involved in a community.
Rising Star
Ana Faith Lemons, Director of Development for the College of Music in Advancement
Ana is a shining star who exemplifies UNT’s dedication to excellence, innovation and commitment to community partners. She demonstrates exceptional initiative, making genuine connections with donors and placing her interactions with them at the forefront of her responsibilities. Ana's caring nature and ability to establish these connections have enhanced the college's relationships with numerous supporters. She consistently exceeds expectations and goes beyond the scope of her job to break down barriers and create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and motivation. Ana's proactive problem-solving and insightful feedback have been instrumental in streamlining processes and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the college’s development team.
Nikki Sparks, Assistant Director of Parking in Transportation Services
After being at UNT for just over a year, Nikki has improved the performance, fairness and overall reputation of Transportation Services. She’s made her mark by taking ownership of the areas she supervises, providing valuable feedback to the leadership team and updating several processes and procedures to enact meaningful change for the UNT community. A model of professionalism and integrity, Nikki is quick to jump into situations and ensure her team feels supported. She champions their growth and advancement and puts the same care and thought into mentoring student employees. For Nikki, the work she does each day is more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to make parking and transit services easier, better and more accessible for everyone at UNT.
Staff Excellence in Research Award
Christophe Cocuron, BioAnalytical Core Facility Manager at the BioDiscovery Institute
The BioAnalytical Core Facility is one of the most well-run core facilities on campus, due in no small part to Christophe’s efforts. The facility serves UNT researchers and students while also generating revenue through external clients. Christophe participates in training students and postdocs, often working with them on publications, troubleshooting and methods development. Over the past year, he has worked proactively with Facilities and other campus partners to maintain the BAF’s productivity during building renovations, power outages and IT issues. He’s also gone beyond management and technical work, publishing scientific journal articles with BAF users and taking on additional responsibilities during staff shortages. Because of his conscientious oversight, the BAF directly contributes to the growth of research activity and expenditures at UNT.
Vladimir Nesterov, X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory Director in Chemistry
If there’s one thing Vladimir is a master of, it’s time management. As the director of the X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory in the Department of Chemistry, he balances his duties in the lab with his duties as a mentor. He’s a careful proofreader, giving his utmost attention and constructive feedback to students and faculty when reviewing their manuscripts. Under his leadership, the lab serves not only UNT, but outside scholars and schools as well. Despite the heavy workload, he always stays on top of all incoming materials, getting them examined quickly and efficiently. His dedication, wisdom and positive attitude have improved the quality of the research and lives of all those around him.
Amanda Thomas, Senior Grants and Contracts Analyst in Research and Innovation
Amanda is the MVP on the Pre-Award team in Grants and Contracts Administration. In addition to being a true expert in her field, she provides exceptional customer service to faculty and staff and supports her team tremendously with her leadership and guidance. She led the recent Huron implementation of GRAMS, putting in countless hours to develop training manuals and processes to ensure a smooth transition for the entire university. Amanda also directed the overhaul of the Pre-Award website to include detailed resources and templates for faculty. Under her leadership, UNT has seen tremendous growth in proposal submissions and proposal amounts and she continues to raise the bar as UNT grows as a Tier One research university.
Soaring Integrity Award
Diane Charles, Financial Aid Administrator
Diane employs her deep emphasis on compliance to assist in maintaining the integrity of our institution. She shows a willingness to speak up in meetings and follow up directly with supervisors regarding potential compliance issues, even if they do not fall under her direct responsibility. Her quick response and voice allow for problems to be solved — and even prevented — while holding herself accountable and maintaining the integrity of federal, state and institutional policies. This determination also shines through in her work with the students she serves. Diane strives to ensure students are given all information for eligibility determinations and offers suggestions to help them in the future as they make their way through the financial aid process.
Student Success Award
Heather Close, Senior Academic Counselor in the College of Visual Arts and Design
Heather embodies the Student Success Award with her caring and thorough advising. In the last year alone, Heather has assisted with creating improvements to degree audits, helped art education students navigate new processes and served as the CVAD representative across campus events. She also spearheaded multiple transformational projects that increased positive student-advisor interactions in CVAD, including creating a new orientation boot camp for advising staff and chairing the hiring search for a new academic advisor. Heather has continued to excel by developing new advisor training assessment tools, attending the national academic advising association’s annual conference and even being nominated to the new CVAD Staff Advisory Committee. No matter the task, Heather is always ready to assist with kindness and a smile.
Lisa Hollinger, Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach in the College of Information
At the heart of the College of Information, Lisa is a beacon of commitment and dedication. She has fearlessly explored new and innovative programs — including the COI Student Ambassador Program and the Career Opportunities Direction Exploration (CODE) series — to meet students’ diverse needs and give them the opportunity to improve their leadership and interpersonal skills. Lisa's tireless efforts have transformed the college into an environment where students receive comprehensive support that nurtures their growth academically, socially and emotionally. Her passion for connecting students to campus resources, facilitating internship experiences and providing networking opportunities ensures that UNT graduates enter the workforce as well-rounded, adaptable individuals prepared to excel in an ever-changing world.
Shaun B. Holloway, Student Services Coordinator for Orientation and New Student Programs
Shaun goes above and beyond to advocate for students at UNT. A great listening ear and a source of guidance for students in need, Shaun knows when to refer them to appropriate campus resources and often uses his connections to help them find support. He promotes retention by prioritizing the student experience and seeking feedback on programs and services. He often pitches in to help new students register for classes during orientation and during an event he organizes each semester called Registration Revisited. Beyond helping students, Shaun is a mentor to UNT’s orientation leader team and first-year experience leaders, hosting programs at the start of each semester to teach them about UNT and help them celebrate the accomplishment of going to college.
Davis Kindig, Associate Academic Advisor in the College of Science
Davis regularly exceeds his basic job duties to assist students. He has an amazing ability to stay calm in tough situations and relate to the student struggle, taking the time to get to know their individual needs so he can provide them with the information they need to succeed. Professional, courteous and highly knowledgeable, Davis drives retention by ensuring a great experience for every student he meets. He consistently advocates for students to get involved in planning their careers and provides advice to assist them on the path of discovery. With his remarkable dedication to students and to his work, Davis is a bright star in the advising community at UNT.
Cheyenne Moore, Academic Counselor for Advising Services in Student Success
As an academic counselor on UNT’s TSI (Texas Success Initiative) team, Cheyenne is aware of the stigma attached to college readiness courses — and she’s determined to overcome it. When she informs students that they must take a developmental math class, she makes it clear to them that they are important and deserving of the information, resources and personalized attention they need to succeed. In addition to managing a team of peer leaders for UNT’s TSI Summer Bridge Program, Cheyenne worked to ensure the program met its enrollment goal of nearly 300 incoming students. For many students, Cheyenne is not only their first point of contact at UNT, but also the personification of the university’s spirit of integrity, compassion and care.
UNT Spirit Award
Crystal George, Employment Development Coordinator for ELEVAR
From her start as a student earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UNT to now serving as employment development coordinator for ELEVAR — UNT’s inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities — Crystal has never faltered in her Mean Green Spirit. Staff and students alike turn to her to resolve issues ranging from how to register for classes to networking and more. She meets every question with an answer crafted by thoughtful care. Crystal is deeply engaged with the university and uses her partnerships to achieve the goals of ELEVAR and foster UNT spirit, all while donning green and her signature UNT cardigan. She is a vital part of bringing equitable employment to students in ELEVAR, serving as the point of contact, following alongside the students and exemplifying unity and care.
Stephanie McDonald, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration
Stephanie joined Athletics in October 2023 and has been an invaluable teammate since day one. She takes great pride and care in her work overseeing Athletics’ human resources initiatives. Her coworkers gravitate toward her good-hearted nature and open-door mentality, and she’s never turned down an opportunity to help a colleague in need. She hit the ground running as a leader of Mean Green Connect, an Athletics initiative designed to foster strong relationships across the campus community. She epitomizes what it means to be Mean Green — in fact, Stephanie can be found at nearly every Athletics event with her family, dressed in green and cheering for UNT.
Gwen Moore, Director of Student Experience for Integrated Student Services
Gwen exhibits unwavering commitment to the true caring spirit of the UNT community as both a proud alumna and a current employee in the Division of Enrollment. Her work with students throughout the admissions journey demonstrates her commitment to being a champion of UNT’s traditions and history. Her interactions are infectious, as she possesses a unique ability to recognize the significance of these traditions in fostering a deep sense of belonging. Gwen embodies the very essence of this award with her enthusiastic UNT spirit and dedication to the lives of students from their first day of class to graduation and beyond.
Nicole Scott, Senior Academic Advisor for College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Student Service
Nicole has naturally fit into the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Student Services team as a leader. She often rallies the team to take care of duties and finish projects, offers to help others and takes on extra tasks to ensure the team is efficient and impactful. As a UNT alum and passionate fan of UNT sports, Nicole brings that same spirit to her professional role. The students she advises see her as a force of warmth and encouragement who gives incredibly valuable insights, guidance and feedback. When she is not engaged with her team or advising students, she will happily tell you all about UNT Athletics teams, games and athletes. She proudly displays her Mean Green spirit in everything she does.
Rochelle Sykes, Academic Research and Financial Officer in the College of Information
Rochelle is an exceptional administrative professional and a true team player and leader in the College of Information. Since joining UNT 18 years ago, she has dedicated her career to the university. She consistently goes above and beyond to embody the caring spirit of UNT, taking on challenges that require not just administrative prowess, but also a strategic mindset. Her leadership and commitment align directly with university objectives and the wellbeing of her team and UNT students. Rochelle does all this with grace, poise and kindness — and always with a smile. Her outstanding contributions and genuine commitment to UNT’s traditions, culture and goals have made a profound impact on the success of our university.
Teamwork Award
International Student Support Network
When five colleagues came together in 2017 to share information on support services available to UNT’s international students, little did they know that their small group would grow into a much larger team of colleagues representing a cross-section of departments and divisions. Driven by the shared goal of removing barriers to equity and inclusion, the International Student Support Network created collaborative pre-arrival programming for international students with support from International Affairs, the Student Money Management Center, Student Accounting and the CARE Team. The network also has facilitated clinics focused on financial wellness, career readiness, immigration law and more. The ISSN team truly reflects UNT’s value of being Better Together, and with international student enrollment doubling since the network’s creation, their work has never been more important for our UNT community.
Nicole Conant, International Affairs
Ting-Wei “Pallas” Huang, Counseling and Testing Services
Ella Pipes, Office of Disability Access
James Fairchild, Student Accounting
Keenan Ivy, Student Accounting
Heather Rich, Student Health and Wellness Center
Amy Ferman, Career Center
Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, International Affairs
Dana Sachs, Student Health and Wellness Center
Paul Goebel, Student Money Management Center
Deidre Leslie, Career Center
Vesta Stacy, Student Money Management Center
Jessica Hogue, Dean of Students
Cheyenne Moore, Advising Services
Ed Turney, Financial Aid
Student Health and Wellness Center Tuberculosis Screening
Serving a student body of more than 47,000, including over 9,000 international students, keeping them healthy can be a challenge, but the Student Health and Wellness Center goes to great lengths to keep them safe. The SHWC’s dedicated medical professionals and administrative support staff test all incoming international students for tuberculosis, starting before the semester begins and continuing through the week before graduation. The team also hosts mass screening clinics, where they test up to 375 students per session. After each semester, the team reviews what did and didn’t work, streamlining their process with each passing year. Their tireless commitment to efficiency, customer service and campus outreach protects the entire UNT community and serves as an exceptional example of what can be achieved through teamwork.
Presley Aguirre
Tricia Raper-Combs
Nicholas Dill
Heather Rich
Angela Koiner
Madison Roberts
Constance Menard
Patty Salmon
Jeanie Miller
Kent West
Biological Sciences Instructional Lab Personnel
Thanks to this team's efforts, students have the access and opportunity to acquire and develop essential lab skills and techniques. They’ve navigated unusual challenges such as quickly and effectively relocating laboratory courses to other buildings to ensure summer offerings when the usual spaces were unavailable; applying improvements and alternatives developed during the pandemic to post-pandemic lab operations; and working with Frisco lab staff to ensure students receive quality lab experiences equivalent to those offered on the main campus. They also train and support teaching assistants and fill in where needed when resources and personnel are stretched thin. No matter the challenge, this team’s individual and collective efforts reflect their overarching commitment to the students at UNT.
Syeda Alam
Anthony Curran Jr.
Ipsita Lahiri
Arland Alberts
Carey Earthman
Wendy Pace
Jaime L. Baxter-Slye
Denice Gallagher
Nathaniel Peterson
Andrea Bernardino
Claudia Gonzalez
Geoffrey Lance Brooks
The late Roxana Hughes