Board of Regents' Awards
The Board of Regents' Staff Awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents (BOR) for the achievements of exempt and non-exempt staff employees at System institutions. The awards are presented to employees who have demonstrated excellence in one of the five categories (click on each for more information):
This award is intended for staff members who:
- Contributed a creative and implemented approach to process improvements
- Supplied an original idea that contributed to the success of the unit/institution
- Are in a non-leadership position yet provided leadership, team building and/or facilitated a team or project that enhanced the organization
- Are in a leadership position and consistently grow their organization by mentoring and growing each of their subordinates
This award is intended for staff members who:
- Consistently makes a difference and impact in student lives
- Contributed an innovative, original idea that implemented and transformed an aspect of the “student experience”
This award is intended for staff members who:
- Demonstrate a personal dedication to a project or cause that definitively improved the greater community
- Throughout their career have, in a collaborative and sustained manner, made a difference in the larger community
The award is based on a sustained record of service over a period of years carried out through the individual’s role(s) in the University rather than as a private citizen.
This award is intended to publicly recognize exemplary ideas that, when implemented, will serve to further the USM’s goal to continually increase the effective and efficient use of its resources. One award from the listed categories may be made for an exemplary initiative that has the potential to be implemented system-wide.
- Academic Transformation: Improved learning and a minimum cost savings of $10,000
- Administrative Transformation: Improved Effectiveness and efficiency resulting in a minimum cost savings of $10,000.
In addition to the regular materials, the packets of nominees from this category must include:
- A brief description of the innovative initiative
- Potential benefits
- Magnitude (single/multiple institutions or system-wide)
- Effectiveness and efficiency to be attained (including estimated cost and/or resource savings)
This award salutes the outstanding work of a USM staff member in their ability to build, nurture, and advance inclusion, multiculturalism, and social justice practices within their community. Their community may comprise their internal institutional community, their external institutional community, or a combination of the two. Review criteria include:
- Community engagement in diversity dialogue and education
- Examination and modification of current practices of one’s department/institution that support inclusion
- Implementation of initiatives that foster inclusion, multiculturalism, and social justice
In most categories, two awards will be given - one for an exempt employee and one for a non-exempt employee. In the Effectiveness and Efficiency category, the award can be given to two employees of the same classification. Each awardee will receive a $2,000 stipend and a commemorative plaque.
Eligibility
- Any employee or student may nominate an employee (with the knowledge and consent of the nominee). Employees may also nominate themselves.
- The nominee must be a Regular or Contingent II status employee at UMD.
- The nominee must have been employed at UMD for at least five consecutive years.
- CEO's (Chancellor and Presidents), officers, and senior leadership are not eligible. The senior leadership at this University consists of the President's direct reports (including the Director of Athletics), all VPs and their direct reports, all Deans, and the Chief of Police.
Nomination Package Requirements
A nomination package must be generated by the nominator that includes the following documents, organized in the order listed below. The packet instructions and forms are available below.
- Nomination Cover Sheet: a cover sheet must be completed and signed. Please note, nominators are not required to include the President's endorsement letter; this will be generated separately for finalists.
- Nomination Letter: a signed letter must accompany each nominee's package. State the category for which the staff employee is being nominated and give testimony of exemplary performance in that category. Please limit to two pages. Examples of successful nomination letters are available on request. Please limit to two pages.
- Position Description: position descriptions must include the purpose of the position and list specific job duties in detail. Please provide all information using the form linked below (no resumes). The position description must be signed by the employee's supervisor.
- Letters of Recommendation: include three one-page letters of recommendation that discuss what makes this individual exceptional in the award category. Both external and internal recommendations are welcome; letters should include the writer's contact information. Letters must be in support of the candidate's activities as they relate to the category for which s/he is being nominated. Please limit each letter to one page.
- Optional Supporting Materials: any additional materials (e.g., articles, awards, recognitions) that the nominee feels reflect relevant accomplishments. Material should be current (from the past five years) and no more than five pages in length.
Submission and Selection Processes
Please send completed packets to the Senate Office (senateoffice@umd.edu). If you would like guidance as you compile your packet, the Senate Office staff can assist with that, as well.
The Senate Staff Affairs Committee will collect submissions, fully consider all nominees, and make final recommendations to the President in January 2024. Finalists (nominators and/or nominees) will be invited to meet with a member of the President's Office in order to develop a letter of endorsement from the President, which will accompany all final packages. The President will select and forward the final campus nominees to the USM. The USM's staff awards committee will review nomination packages and submit recommendations for awards to the BOR. Recipients will be announced in July 2024 with a formal presentation of the award by the BOR in Fall 2024.
UMD Board of Regents' Staff Award Winners
UMD Board of Regents' Staff Awards Nominees and Finalists
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- Clint Bucco | College of Journalism
- DOROTHEA O'TOOLE | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
- Jackie Dwyer-Xec | Department of Mathematics
- James Jenets | Academic Technology and Innovation
- John Paul Sawyer | Division of Research
- Lattisha Hall | Teaching and Learning
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- Fernando Ramirez | Department of Geographical Sciences
- Jennie Gouker | Department of Biology
- SISTER MAUREEN SCHRIMPE | Dining Services
- Pam Komarek | Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program
- Tetyana Bezbabna | College of Information Studies
- Tom Hurst | Department of Computer Science
Non-Exempt
- Shemba Payne | Dining Services
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- CLINT BUCCO | College of Journalism
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Academic or Administrative Transformation
Exempt
- MARLENE ORANTES | Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice
Exempt
- KATHRYN ATCHISON | Department of Computer Science
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- Amy Beaven | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
- Alyson Valentine | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Barbara South | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Bill Aarhus | Office of Extended Studies
- Brian Trest | Facilities Management
- Chris Fukui | University Human Resources/Learning and Talent Development
- CLINT BUCCO | College of Journalism
- David Flumbaum | University Recreation & Wellness
- Joanne Leffson-Bryant | Department of Psychology
- Kim Colbert | University Human Resources
- Marty Ronning | Engineering Information Technology
- Pamela Lloyd | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Ramsey Jabaji | Office of Global Engineering Leadership
- Reka Montfort | University Senate
- Shannon Gundy | Enrollment Management
- Sharron McElroy | Department of Computer Science
- Vivre Bell | Department of Geographical Sciences
Non-Exempt
- William Griffin | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Doug Downing | Department of Biology
- Penelope Gomes | Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- DONNA HAMMER | Department of Physics
- Eric Johnson | Undergraduate Studies
- Jacqueline Lee | Undergraduate Studies
- Jennie Gouker | Department of Biology
- Jessica Roffe | Robert H. Smith School of Business
- Jody Heckman-Bose | Office of International Affairs
- Michael Glowacki | Department of Resident Life
- Nicole Hollywood | Department of Fire Protection Engineering
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- Heather Teitelbaum | University Health Center
- Jennifer Daszczyszak | The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
- MARLENE ORANTES | Department of Nutrition and Food Science
- Mary Warneka | Teaching and Learning Transformation Center
- Meg Smolinski | Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Academic or Administrative Transformation
Exempt
- MELEKTE TRUNEH | College of Information Studies
- Jeanette Snider | Robert H. Smith School of Business
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice
Exempt
- AMANDA PREPERATO | UNIVERSITY RECREATION & WELLNESS
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- Adam Grant | Division of Research
- Amy Beaven | Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
- Arlene Schenk | University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies
- David Baugh | College of Information Studies
- Dolores Jackson | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Felicia Metz | UM Ventures
- Gaye Bugenhagen | Department of Sociology
- Jennifer Reynolds | Department of Animal and Avian Sciences
- Jody Williams | Joint Program in Survey Methodology (BSOS)
- Olivia Noble | Materials Sciences & Engineering
- Reka Montfort | University Senate
- WALLACE EDDY | Recreation & Wellness
Non-Exempt
- No Nomine
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- APITCHAYA PIMPAWATHIN |DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- Jane Hirshberg | Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
- KATHLEEN ANGELETTI | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
- Larry Tumlin | Dining Services
- Teresa Moore | Department of Bioengineering
Non-Exempt
- No Nominee
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Academic or Administrative Transformation
Exempt
- OLIVIA NOBEL | MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING, FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING
Non-Exempt
- No nominee
Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice
Exempt
- ANA PALLA-KANE | DIVISION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Non-Exempt
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- David Baugh | College of Information Studies
- Sherry Costello | University Human Resources
- Wallace Eddy | University Recreation & Wellness
- DOLORES JACKSON | CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY
- Julia John | Department of American Studies and U.S. Latina/o Studies Program
- Blesilda Lim | Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
- Deborah Russell | Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Laura Tan | Resident Life
Non-Exempt
- MARGARET GIBBS | COUNSELING CENTER
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- Audran Downing | College of Arts & Humanities - Office of Student Affairs
- Nicole Hollywood | Fire Protection Engineering
- Tom Hurst | Department of Computer Science
- TERRY ISLAND | DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- Apitchaya Pimpawathin | Department of Computer Science
Non-Exempt
- VALENCIA TIRADO | DINING SERVICES
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- KATHLEEN ANGELETTI | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
- Patricia Moore | University of Maryland Extension
Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice
Exempt
- TIMEA WEBSTER | OFFICE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- Jolanta Alipio | Center for Scientific Computation & Mathematical Modeling
- Rebecca Copeland | Institute for Systems Research
- Lori DeBoy | School of Music
- Jeanne Fineran | Robert H. Smith School of Business
- Dolores Jackson | Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Bill Katsereles | Entomology
- Susan Miller | School of Theatre, Dance, & Performance Studies
- Deborah Russell | Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
- JV Sapinoso | Women's Studies
- Kimberly Schmidt | Psychology
- GARY SEIBEL | DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Jeffrey Snider | Division of Research
- Melekte Truneh | Agriculture and Resource Economics
Non-Exempt
- CHERYL HILL | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION
- Valencia Tirado | Dining Services
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- Tamara Hendershot | Atmospheric & Oceanic Science
- Nicole Hollywood | Fire Protection Engineering
- Pamela Komarek | Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
- Christopher Moore | Residential Facilities
- LAURA PLACE | UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
- Johnna Schmidt | Jiminez-Porter Writers' House
- Charles Wright | UMD Libraries
Non-Exempt
- SARA LOPEZ | DINING SERVICES
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- LUIS ALFONZO | FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Linda Lenoir | University Career Center
- Terry Zacker | Division of Student Affairs
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Administrative Transformation
- DANIEL WILSON | INSTITUTE FOR BIOSCIENCE & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice
Exempt
- Jerry Lewis | Academic Achievement Programs
- Stephanie Payne-Roberts | Stamp Student Union
- TIMEA WEBSTER | OFFICE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS, winners in bold
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- Rebecca Copeland | Institute for Systems Research
- Libby Dufour | Animal and Avian Sciences
- Stephen Eskin | Public Safety
- Kimberley Frye | Mechanical Engineering
- Nacie Grigsby | Family Science
- Kathleen Kilday | National Foreign Language Center
- Sharon McElroy | Computer Science
- Jennifer Reynolds | Animal & Avian Sciences
- DANIEL RAMIA | COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
- Kimberly Schmidt | Psychology
- Melekte Truneh | Agriculture and Resource Economics
Non-Exempt
- Margaret Gibbs | Counseling Center
- AUDREY STEWART | FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Valencia Tirado | Dining Services
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- JENNA BECKWITH | UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER
- Tamara Hendershot | Atmospheric & Oceanic Science
- Ramsey Jabaji | International and Leadership Programs
- Penny Jacobs | University Health Center
- Pamela Komarek | Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
Non-Exempt
- Erica Black | Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute
- SARA LOPEZ | DINING SERVICES
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- Donna McMahon | Environmental Safety, Sustainability, & Risk
- Vanessa Nichols-Holmes | Animal & Avian Sciences
- TERRY ZACKER | DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Administrative Transformation
- CLINT BUCCO | PHILIP MERRILL COLLEGE OF JOURALISM
- DANIEL WILSON | INSTITUTE FOR BIOSCIENCE & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
Finalists indicated in ALL CAPS
Exceptional Contribution to the Institution/Unit to Which the Person Belongs
Exempt
- DONNA HAMMER | DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
Exempt
- BRYAN QUINN | DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community
Exempt
- GLORIA APARICIO BLACKWELL | DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
Non-Exempt
- PAIGE MILLER | UMD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Effectiveness and Efficiency in Administrative Transformation
- JUNE SHERER | DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCE AND GEOLOGY