Inspiring Excellence Awards

Student Affairs Author

06/05/2020 Added

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Celebrating the outstanding contributions of staff and individual units, Student Affairs hosted a virtual celebration of the Inspiring Excellence Awards on June 5, 2020.

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[00:00:00.267](upbeat music)
[00:00:03.582](crowd applauding)
[00:00:09.780]On behalf of the Office of Student Affairs,
[00:00:11.960]welcome to our virtual staff recognition celebration.
[00:00:15.440]I'm so pleased
[00:00:16.350]that we're able to celebrate our colleagues
[00:00:18.400]who've made a difference in the lives of our students.
[00:00:21.040]It's also an important opportunity for me to thank you,
[00:00:24.180]all of you for your contributions,
[00:00:26.620]dedication, and commitment to our community.
[00:00:29.920]Our mission centers on connecting learning to life,
[00:00:33.280]through partnerships with campus
[00:00:34.920]and external stakeholders,
[00:00:36.500]Student Affairs designs and implements, purposeful programs,
[00:00:40.250]resources and services,
[00:00:42.220]to support and enhance the university's educational mission.
[00:00:46.900]Our work cultivates student success through engagement,
[00:00:49.840]well being and a commitment to diversity.
[00:00:52.750]We help students develop their strengths,
[00:00:55.210]we promote identity development,
[00:00:57.150]we nurture student and staff health
[00:00:59.460]and well being
[00:01:00.660]We create and facilitate transformative experiences,
[00:01:03.930]strengthen students resiliency,
[00:01:06.140]promote exploration and grow leaders.
[00:01:09.628]Know that your work
[00:01:10.850]with our students matters.
[00:01:12.920]It directly impacts the lives of our undergraduates
[00:01:15.780]and graduate students and their learning.
[00:01:18.200]And it's critical to carrying out the university's mission.
[00:01:22.990]I'm grateful to work
[00:01:24.190]with such an incredible group,
[00:01:25.880]and I'm humbled daily by your service to our students
[00:01:29.260]and the University.
[00:01:30.900]Thank you so much.
[00:01:33.070]Now, it's my pleasure to introduce Gary Kimball
[00:01:35.940]and Holly Swanson,
[00:01:37.500]Gary and Holly have collaborated this year
[00:01:39.590]to revive the Staff Council
[00:01:41.320]and promote the personal
[00:01:42.410]and professional growth of Student Affairs staff.
[00:01:44.980]Please welcome virtually Holly and Gary.
[00:01:48.722](crowd applauding)
[00:01:51.730]Today, we're recognizing selected Student Affairs staff
[00:01:55.240]for their contributions to providing a safe
[00:01:57.770]and inclusive living and learning experience.
[00:02:00.260]that inspires students to recognize
[00:02:02.560]and achieve their aspirations.
[00:02:05.300]The award categories represent our values,
[00:02:08.272]collaborate, connect, cultivate, include,
[00:02:13.240]innovate, and lead.
[00:02:15.460]These are the integral principles
[00:02:17.160]that guide our daily operations and interactions.
[00:02:20.150]But most important,
[00:02:21.400]they ignite our purpose.
[00:02:24.160]We're proud to have this opportunity
[00:02:26.110]to present the following awards
[00:02:28.140]to the well deserved recipients.
[00:02:33.870]The recipient of the collaborate award
[00:02:35.680]is Facilities Planning
[00:02:36.660]and Construction and Facilities Maintenance and Operations.
[00:02:39.839]The FPC and FMO teams
[00:02:42.120]are vital to both the day to day
[00:02:43.670]and long term success of the Nebraska union
[00:02:45.620]and its facilities.
[00:02:47.090]Their willingness to collaborate on all projects,
[00:02:49.280]both large and small,
[00:02:50.850]ensures that we are able to create the most open,
[00:02:53.080]welcoming and inclusive environments possible
[00:02:55.470]for our students in the UNL community.
[00:02:58.380]The individual care that they provide to every
[00:03:00.150]aspect of projects lead the Nebraska Union's team
[00:03:03.290]to feel confident in making the statement
[00:03:05.160]that we feel that the FPC and FMO teams
[00:03:08.290]are the best at what they do.
[00:03:09.880]Not only the big 10
[00:03:11.310]but in the nation.
[00:03:13.040]They truly understand that the work they do
[00:03:14.870]for our division impacts everyone from current
[00:03:17.160]and prospective students and their families,
[00:03:19.087]faculty and staff,
[00:03:20.661]alumni and friends of the university
[00:03:23.230]in the state of Nebraska as a whole.
[00:03:25.720]We are incredibly appreciative to them
[00:03:27.870]for the amount of pride
[00:03:28.860]and care that they take in the work
[00:03:29.883]that they do for us.
[00:03:32.610]Over the course of the last year,
[00:03:34.130]we have had the opportunity to work
[00:03:35.440]with these two departments on projects
[00:03:37.580]as large as the Nebraska East union renovation
[00:03:40.320]and the update of the Nebraska union master plan
[00:03:43.330]to smaller scale items
[00:03:45.050]like fixing broken windows at the Children's Center,
[00:03:48.130]or silencing a fire panel
[00:03:49.910]at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.
[00:03:52.670]Ryan and Jim,
[00:03:54.460]thank you for being our campus partners.
[00:03:56.271](crowd applauding)
[00:03:58.630]The next award recognizes individuals
[00:04:01.010]who promote a sense of belonging through programs,
[00:04:03.800]words and behaviors,
[00:04:05.380]and by modeling advocacy
[00:04:06.910]and social justice through their actions.
[00:04:09.760]The Connect award celebrates staff
[00:04:11.830]who consistently demonstrate their active commitment
[00:04:14.939]to connect with each
[00:04:16.940]and every student by prioritizing them
[00:04:19.490]and their success.
[00:04:21.449]The recipient of the connector award
[00:04:23.380]is Cory Densberger,
[00:04:24.670]custodial staff member with the Nebraska unions.
[00:04:27.550]Cory regularly engages outside
[00:04:29.590]his regular responsibilities to connect
[00:04:31.610]with students and colleagues.
[00:04:33.400]His passion for serving our students
[00:04:35.290]can be seen daily as he helps clean
[00:04:37.150]and connect with our students
[00:04:38.930]and UNL community in the Nebraska union food court.
[00:04:42.830]He's one of the faces of the Nebraska unions,
[00:04:45.220]speaking with and interacting
[00:04:46.550]with thousands of students,
[00:04:47.750]faculty and staff on a daily basis.
[00:04:51.060]One of our students recently said of Cory,
[00:04:53.328]you always work with a smile on your face
[00:04:55.540]and you were quick to compliment those around you.
[00:04:58.440]You helped me see the value of work.
[00:04:59.686]And that can be done to deeply impact those around you.
[00:05:04.020]Cory has certainly impacted lives of our students,
[00:05:07.290]and is a fantastic representation
[00:05:09.680]of what our staff in this unions
[00:05:11.600]and student affairs stand for.
[00:05:13.935]Cory, thank you for investing your time,
[00:05:17.120]energy and attention in building relationships that nourish
[00:05:20.810]and strengthen our students and congratulations.
[00:05:24.259](crowd applauding)
[00:05:26.360]The cultivate award recognizes individuals
[00:05:29.130]who nurture growth,
[00:05:30.460]learning and well being
[00:05:32.270]and help develop a campus environment
[00:05:34.370]that encourages kindness,
[00:05:36.370]offers support, honors compassion,
[00:05:40.060]builds relationships and connects faculty,
[00:05:43.140]staff and students.
[00:05:44.480]We have two recipients.
[00:05:47.170]Our first recipient of the cultivate award
[00:05:49.180]is Elizabeth Arthur,
[00:05:50.770]Residence Life service supervisor for Harper Schramm Smith.
[00:05:54.860]Elizabeth has cultivated and developed strong connections
[00:05:57.360]and relationships across campus
[00:05:59.290]with students, staff
[00:06:00.760]colleagues within Residence Life
[00:06:02.810]and other professionals across UNL's campus.
[00:06:05.810]Her relationships with others
[00:06:07.170]have allowed her to do incredible work
[00:06:08.730]within the department and ultimately help boost the morale.
[00:06:12.502]Elizabeth goes above and beyond
[00:06:14.300]to demonstrate these attributes
[00:06:16.060]not only on a professional level,
[00:06:17.508]but also among her students,
[00:06:19.130]staff team of 31 desk assistants
[00:06:21.270]and two office assistants.
[00:06:23.430]Elizabeth's kindness, support
[00:06:25.072]and drive to build relationships with others
[00:06:27.492]is motivating and creates a culture of care
[00:06:30.741]whether as a team leader or a member.
[00:06:33.530]Congratulations, Elizabeth.
[00:06:36.980]Our second recipient of the Cultivate award
[00:06:38.984]is Christopher Dulak,
[00:06:40.780]Assistant Director for marketing strategy
[00:06:42.910]in student affairs, business operations,
[00:06:45.230]marketing and communication.
[00:06:47.490]Christopher's contributions with the SMC team
[00:06:50.860]are notable as he supervises
[00:06:52.370]the digital content coordinator,
[00:06:54.470]the communications intern and works closely
[00:06:57.150]with the designer web staff.
[00:06:59.329]Beyond his daily tasks,
[00:07:01.315]Christopher is a coworker others like to be around.
[00:07:04.700]He helps build an environment
[00:07:06.360]where colleagues feel appreciated,
[00:07:07.980]supported and connected.
[00:07:10.010]He is the first to help answer questions,
[00:07:12.223]network with colleagues and lend a helping hand.
[00:07:16.401]Through Christopher's kind of actions and support,
[00:07:19.230]his colleagues feel valued
[00:07:21.250]a key element in employee engagement.
[00:07:25.000]He is a diligent team member
[00:07:26.830]who is the first to contribute to group activities
[00:07:29.257]to cheer on those around him,
[00:07:31.230]and rarely afraid to try something new.
[00:07:34.000]Christopher, please accept this award
[00:07:36.320]with our gratitude.
[00:07:38.930]Congratulations to both Elizabeth and Christopher,
[00:07:41.830]for cultivating a community of care and belonging.
[00:07:44.950]The work you do directly impacts
[00:07:46.740]the student experience at Nebraska.
[00:07:48.570]And for this,
[00:07:49.660]we are grateful.
[00:07:50.917](crowd applauding)
[00:07:53.730]The Innovate award recognizes individuals
[00:07:57.100]and or units who seek new and creative solution
[00:08:00.520]to challenges facing our campus and community.
[00:08:03.760]The Innovate award celebrates individuals, a team
[00:08:07.270]or a unit that has the ingenuity,
[00:08:09.570]creativity and courage to make their ideas come to life.
[00:08:15.400]Campus Recreation is our first recipient
[00:08:17.400]of the Innovate award.
[00:08:18.790]In the past year,
[00:08:19.920]members of Campus Recreation
[00:08:21.210]partnered with big red resilience
[00:08:22.690]and well being and dining services
[00:08:25.260]to provide a kitchen table event providing healthy meals,
[00:08:28.103]connecting students and engaging
[00:08:30.230]with staff and administrators.
[00:08:31.960]And in March,
[00:08:33.433]when many of us were forced to rethink ways
[00:08:35.750]in which we support students,
[00:08:37.420]Campus Recreation did as well.
[00:08:39.710]They had to cancel outdoor adventure trips
[00:08:41.570]over spring break,
[00:08:43.220]and intramurals and close their facilities,
[00:08:46.260]but they use the spirit of innovation
[00:08:48.320]and adapted quickly to support student recreation
[00:08:51.130]and wellness in new ways.
[00:08:53.170]They began and often discussed eSports League,
[00:08:55.720]which had more than 70 teams registered
[00:08:57.770]within the first week alone.
[00:09:00.340]They offered virtual 5k, 10k,
[00:09:03.900]half and full marathon training,
[00:09:05.972]where 117 participants logged over 3000 miles
[00:09:10.120]over a five week period.
[00:09:12.003]Our students campus are engaging more in recreation
[00:09:15.360]and wellness activities
[00:09:16.710]because of campus recreations innovation.
[00:09:19.940]Congratulations to all the folks at Campus Recreation
[00:09:22.620]and thank you for your willingness to act.
[00:09:27.250]The second Innovate awardee
[00:09:28.720]is the Center for Advocacy,
[00:09:29.974]Response and Education.
[00:09:32.810]CARE has worked with a variety of departments
[00:09:34.560]across campus to create it successfully implement
[00:09:37.740]an emergency housing plan
[00:09:39.030]to assist off campus students in crisis,
[00:09:41.640]who need immediate and short term living accommodations.
[00:09:45.060]The CARE staff focused on creating a process
[00:09:47.270]that ensured the dignity,
[00:09:48.770]safety and security of the student in crisis
[00:09:51.689]and decrease the stress placed on the student.
[00:09:54.940]The process starts with a CARE team member meeting
[00:09:57.720]with a student to provide customized confidential
[00:09:59.980]Support for victims and survivors
[00:10:02.182]of interpersonal violence and other crimes.
[00:10:05.450]They assess needs,
[00:10:06.660]determine next steps,
[00:10:07.733]and provide options to create a plan
[00:10:10.220]to best serve the unique circumstances
[00:10:12.310]each student is experiencing.
[00:10:14.590]The care team takes the thoughtful approach
[00:10:17.110]to help those acutely in need.
[00:10:19.400]The entire UNL community
[00:10:20.870]is fortunate to have the wonderful staff of CARE,
[00:10:23.700]working on behalf of students.
[00:10:26.060]Congratulations, and thank you
[00:10:27.970]for advocating on behalf of our students.
[00:10:31.440]Congratulations again to Campus Recreation
[00:10:33.760]and to CARE.
[00:10:35.060]We celebrate your innovation and action.
[00:10:37.840]Not only your creative ideas,
[00:10:39.670]but also the impact the practical application
[00:10:41.890]of your work has made on the creative use
[00:10:43.900]of our resources
[00:10:45.460]to meet the changing needs of our students.
[00:10:47.437](crowd cheering)
[00:10:50.190]The Include award recognizes individuals
[00:10:53.520]who help foster diverse,
[00:10:55.350]accessible and caring communities that promote full
[00:10:58.530]and equal participation
[00:11:00.290]and respect each individual's personal stories.
[00:11:05.280]The recipient of the Include award
[00:11:06.690]is Sally Pfeiffer,
[00:11:07.880]assistant director for facility
[00:11:09.430]and event services in Campus Recreation.
[00:11:12.440]Sally works with many campus
[00:11:13.870]and community partners to help them achieve
[00:11:15.760]their goals through use of our campus recreation facilities.
[00:11:20.020]Sally's approach to working
[00:11:21.120]with others demonstrates inclusive excellence.
[00:11:23.980]She promotes full and equal participation amongst groups
[00:11:27.060]who wish to utilize Campus Recreation resources.
[00:11:30.280]Sally accommodates the needs of users trying
[00:11:32.310]to figure out how to lean yes,
[00:11:34.382]versus a no response.
[00:11:37.770]Within the Campus Recreation division,
[00:11:39.720]Sally champions the sharing
[00:11:41.090]and caring program.
[00:11:42.610]She's respectful of individuals personal stories,
[00:11:45.590]being there in times of need.
[00:11:47.910]Congratulations, Sally.
[00:11:49.510]Through your actions,
[00:11:50.690]you advocate for the inclusion of underrepresented groups
[00:11:53.690]and cultivate a respectful environment for students,
[00:11:56.220]staff and faculty.
[00:11:58.050]Thank you for all that you do for students
[00:12:00.210]and for Student Affairs in Nebraska.
[00:12:02.084](crowd applauding)
[00:12:04.250]The Lead award recognizes individuals
[00:12:07.440]who embody inclusive leadership
[00:12:09.940]and further the development of ethical,
[00:12:12.130]responsible and collaborative leaders.
[00:12:16.749]The first recipient of the Lead award
[00:12:18.350]is Brent Freeman,
[00:12:19.890]senior system director for operations
[00:12:21.940]with Nebraska unions.
[00:12:23.940]Brad's commitment to students,
[00:12:25.480]the University of Nebraska community,
[00:12:27.430]and his ability to create and promote environments
[00:12:29.820]that are conducive to learning and personal development
[00:12:32.600]are second to none on our campus.
[00:12:34.920]His tireless work often behind the scenes,
[00:12:37.670]as well as his work
[00:12:38.540]with the staff he supervises,
[00:12:40.730]directly contributes to the overall mission
[00:12:42.520]of the Nebraska unions
[00:12:43.570]and enhances the lives of our students,
[00:12:45.640]faculty and staff.
[00:12:47.732]Brent has a passion for both developing the student
[00:12:51.220]and professional staff members
[00:12:52.450]that he supervises.
[00:12:54.430]He's committed to development
[00:12:55.700]of our student poise by actively implementing Husker GROW
[00:12:59.540]and has made definite impacts
[00:13:00.930]for numerous students in his time working
[00:13:02.760]with Nebraska unions.
[00:13:04.880]Brent, on behalf of student affairs.
[00:13:06.997]Thank you for your leadership
[00:13:08.610]and selfless commitment.
[00:13:12.140]Kat Grier's the second recipient of the Lead Award.
[00:13:14.769]as assistant director for training and assessment
[00:13:17.490]with student involvement.
[00:13:19.130]Kat has been an exceptional leader.
[00:13:20.673]Her strong ability to think creatively problem solve
[00:13:24.810]and support her peers truly sets her apart.
[00:13:28.010]Kat leads with grace,
[00:13:29.080]determination and a splash of humor.
[00:13:31.790]Specifically, Kat has led student involvement
[00:13:34.170]in many efforts to level up
[00:13:35.470]the services offered to students.
[00:13:37.790]She finds unique ways to train students
[00:13:39.185]on ever changing technology
[00:13:41.470]using various platforms and ideas.
[00:13:43.827]Kat builds professional relationships
[00:13:45.920]with students by involving them in real world assessment,
[00:13:48.900]planning and execution.
[00:13:51.547]Through this inclusion,
[00:13:53.370]Kat makes her students feel significant
[00:13:55.060]in the work they do
[00:13:55.910]and valued for their input.
[00:13:58.250]Her constant invitation to join in conversations
[00:14:00.690]and share their opinions
[00:14:02.170]is always appreciated by the students.
[00:14:04.610]Kat, thank you for your kindness,
[00:14:06.810]generosity and service.
[00:14:09.241]Congratulations again to both Brent and Kat.
[00:14:12.730]Your work nurtures and transforms our students into leaders.
[00:14:16.090]And for this, we are grateful.
[00:14:17.727](crowd applauding)
[00:14:22.570]The last honor recognizes a student affairs unit
[00:14:25.810]for its significant impact on students
[00:14:28.090]in the campus community.
[00:14:30.130]A traveling trophy also accompanies this award.
[00:14:33.760]The Vice Chancellors award will be presented
[00:14:36.160]by Dr. Bellows who will then conclude
[00:14:38.710]this recognition celebration.
[00:14:42.060]Thank you Holly.
[00:14:43.520]The recipient of the vice chancellors award
[00:14:45.860]for campus impact is Residence Life.
[00:14:48.880]Over the past year,
[00:14:50.090]the Residence Life staff have implemented
[00:14:52.270]the residential curriculum aligned
[00:14:54.040]with the power framework.
[00:14:55.790]They built a curriculum
[00:14:57.040]that directly connects to the N2025 principal
[00:15:00.630]that every person in every interaction matters.
[00:15:03.980]They developed learning outcomes for programming
[00:15:05.687]that focus on key priorities such as civic engagement,
[00:15:09.630]inclusiveness and diversity
[00:15:11.420]and participation in a global society.
[00:15:14.210]They also focus on building community
[00:15:16.620]and fostering relationships.
[00:15:18.720]These efforts resulted in a 93.8% fall
[00:15:22.930]to spring retention rate of first time,
[00:15:26.000]first year students who lived in residence halls.
[00:15:28.740]And when the public health crisis disrupted
[00:15:31.120]the entire spring semester,
[00:15:33.350]Residence Life staff rose to the challenge.
[00:15:36.410]They were creative and innovative
[00:15:38.240]in their continued support of students.
[00:15:40.510]For these reasons.
[00:15:42.010]We honor them today
[00:15:43.800]with the Vice Chancellors Award for Campus Impact,
[00:15:46.940]and the traveling trophy.
[00:15:48.665]Thank you for demonstrating your commitment
[00:15:51.210]to excellence in service and leadership.
[00:15:53.770]Your work consistently fosters a welcoming
[00:15:56.760]and positive environment
[00:15:58.560]where others can engage
[00:16:00.260]and learn and your efforts helped to build
[00:16:02.610]an environment of inclusivity
[00:16:04.680]and a culture of respect across campus.
[00:16:07.216](crowd applauding)
[00:16:09.860]I'll close today's ceremony by once again thanking
[00:16:12.760]all of our honorees for their contributions
[00:16:15.300]to our students learning and development.
[00:16:17.480]You exemplify the best of the university.
[00:16:19.890]And we are incredibly fortunate to have your ideas,
[00:16:22.920]your engagement and your partnership.
[00:16:25.200]You inspire us all.
[00:16:27.420]Let's all give Holly Swanson, Gary Kimball,
[00:16:30.660]Lauren Geyer and Mike Jackson,
[00:16:32.980]a round of applause for organizing
[00:16:35.310]and producing this event.
[00:16:37.860]And thanks to all
[00:16:39.010]who joined us today,
[00:16:40.470]we look forward to celebrating again next gen.
[00:16:43.430]Hopefully in person.
[00:16:45.006](crowd applauding) (upbeat music)

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Inspiring Excellence Awards

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