CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sixteen academic professionals and civil service staff members have received the Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award recognizing exceptional performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A CSEA committee recommends finalists, who are approved by Chancellor Robert Jones. Each awardee receives $1,500 and a commemorative award.
Two staff members received awards in each of the eight functional categories. The 2024 honorees, as described by their nominators:
Administrative and Public Engagement
Chris Harris initially joined Strategic Communications and Marketing (formerly Public Affairs) as the speechwriter for the chancellor and the person who handled responses to ranking surveys. He immediately began identifying more ways to contribute and quickly assumed more responsibility. He now serves as deputy associate chancellor and senior director of executive communications, which includes significant work in issues management and crisis communications.
Harris offers mindful, strategic guidance, and his kind ways always help reassure and calm everyone around him. From the COVID‐19 pandemic to issues of free speech and academic freedom, he thinks deeply about the ramifications of every possible response and then crafts messages that comfort, heal and build community.
Harris is the creative force behind the popular chancellor videos as well as the impactful university halftime commercials that are featured on national television during NCAA basketball and football games. He is the unofficial chief morale officer for StratCom, planning good‐natured pranks to celebrate important occasions, writing clever and silly responses to bureaucratic pronouncements and reaching out with help and friendship when anyone is facing a difficult time. The core of his strength lies in his unwavering focus on clarity and community, facilitating quick responses to central issues. His clever wit is ever present and eases tension in the most difficult of situations — a true testament to his ability to maintain morale and foster a positive atmosphere in any setting.
When she started as a postdoctoral fellow in one of the earliest research themes at the Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, Susan Thomas quickly recognized the importance of interdisciplinary work, its potential for broad impact and the need for high-level programmatic support that was trained with a vision for science in society. As a program manager for multiple IGB initiatives and programs, Thomas has dedicated herself to this mission with selfless and strong leadership.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas was on the frontline of what became SHIELD Illinois, a screening testing program and infrastructure designed to safely open schools and workplaces. Thomas assisted in coordinating equipment movement, submitted RAPID proposals to support the collection of wastewater sampling technology and helped with the development of the Rockefeller Foundation return-to-school protocols that were adopted at the national level. In addition, she worked with a team of researchers to extend university resources to testing and support to the marginalized essential laborers in surrounding communities. This work included coordinating communication of faculty, students, staff volunteers, local community leadership groups and local and statewide officials at departments of public health.
Her integrity and focus on outcomes extend into complex negotiations on everything from budgets, space, scientific priorities, communication strategies, student success and conflict resolution. Thomas’ dedication and support are what make research at the IGB and at our university proactive, impactful and relevant to the challenges of today.
Clerical Administrative Support
Emily Rolson’s strong work ethic as a customer service specialist at the College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Teaching Hospital has contributed to the success of her team. Whether she is coordinating complex staffing needs, providing support to colleagues or engaging with clients, Rolson exhibits a genuine passion for her role and in serving the hospital.
She actively seeks out opportunities to support her staff and colleagues, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. She has worked to reduce the amount of turnover in the client services staff, developing a model that has led to higher job satisfaction for her staff as well as providing better, more consistent service to hospital departments and clients.
When a section of the hospital was under construction, Rolson implemented solutions to minimize any disruptions for both staff and the public. She considered all aspects of accessibility for clients and animals, after-hours safety, staffing schedules and the impact on hospital services. She is readily available to speak with staff or clients when needed in stressful, emotionally charged situations. She is open-minded and continuously learning so she can be the best co-worker, manager and friend. In all matters that she is involved with, she is accommodating and energetic, and her contribution goes above and beyond.
As a business/administrative associate at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Darold Spillman has served many roles as program manager, project manager, information technology manager and logistics expert. He sees no administrative, departmental or unit barriers when it comes to providing service to others. His main role is an administrator in a campuswide imaging group, but his diligence as an extra set of eyes helps the facilities team resolve issues in a timely manner.
Spillman has significantly and positively changed the research and administrative group atmosphere and culture. He brings an enthusiastic but logical and determined personality into the workplace. He is highly respected by everyone, including administrators, faculty, staff, students and external collaborators that he regularly communicates with for planning, operations and research.
Spillman respects all of those around him who share his personal drive for excellence, honesty and shared effort. His kindness, personal connections and dedication all serve as positive models. He is also always seeking out ways for self-improvement by reading and studying independently to learn about research projects or concepts in imaging technology, and over the years has completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees after work hours.
What makes Spillman stand out is his ability to jump in when needed for the betterment of the university and to sacrifice his own personal time for students, units and faculty, and the institution.
Crafts and Trades
As the Abbott Power Plant electrical maintenance supervisor, Brad Frantz leads staff and contractors who are charged with the responsibility to maintain, repair and upgrade all the high-voltage and low-voltage systems. His leadership has enabled the plant to provide reliable, responsible and ready energy to the entire campus.
Recently the plant completed a multimillion dollar replacement of all the legacy high-voltage electrical gear, much of it from 1940. Frantz was the main plant technical leader in design review, contractor oversight and operation coordination. The project had to be done with zero interruptions to campus power and it was completed within budget and on schedule.
On his own he has developed skills in electronic drawing drafting to ensure the electronic drawings of the wiring will be updated in the field. He is part of the project engineering and planning team for all projects that have electrical and controls aspects. His design review suggestions are similar to those of a seasoned electrical engineer.
No matter the size or complexity of a task, Frantz consistently brings only his best. He is always mindful to ask probing questions to help ensure that no stone is left unturned when faced with a new challenge or problem.
Donna McClure brings a breadth of architectural knowledge, experience and expertise to Facilities & Services each day as an architect in engineering services and design review. She specializes in exterior envelope weather/water proofing repair and mitigation for buildings across campus.
Upon notification of an exterior envelope water leak somewhere on campus, Donna is frequently one of the first people on the rooftop to assess the existing condition and then develop a solution to mitigate the issue in a cost effective and timely manner. Her attention to detail, technical knowledge, attitude of lifelong learning and collaboration with co-workers and other architects provide McClure with an extremely valuable knowledge base that she utilizes to guide new and renovation construction projects.
She takes a holistic approach to a project — asking questions and exploring other design considerations — bringing excellence to the entire project. In researching the slate roof repair of the English Building, she discovered that there had been decorative urns on the roof above the east entrances to the building, which had been removed because they were suspected of causing a water leak. She found a source to make reproductions of the decorative urns and worked with the professional services consultant to detail the installation of the urns. This resulted in a building that is much closer to its original design than it has been since the 1960s.
Education/Extension/CITL
Her work ethic and dedication to the mission of the university’s Animal Care Program has led Jamie Ludwig to move up through the veterinary technician classifications to a supervisory role. She motivates other veterinary technicians to look beyond the status quo and seek ways to improve work processes and enhance the welfare of the animals in their care.
Ludwig has been instrumental in the implementation of an electronic medical record and reporting system. This new system improved clinical care efficiency and the quality of the medical records, communications between the veterinary and research staffs, and the consistency of treatment recommendations across all facilities.
She has provided a variety of animal handling and technique training to countless staff and students over the years. She demonstrates patience and empathy and adapts her training approach to the needs of her students as she builds their confidence and skill level. Last year she established a partnership with Parkland College to include laboratory animal medicine in its veterinary technician curriculum. Ludwig enhances the reputation of the department, university and her profession through various outreach activities where she promotes the humane use of animals in research and teaching.
Elizabeth Rockman sets a standard of excellence in everything she does. As the associate director of the Campus Honors Program, her dedication to students is unmatched. She creates innovative publications used to recruit students, orchestrates the CHP’s complex admissions process with insight and wisdom, and provides stellar co-curricular programming and advising to students. Rockman works tirelessly to research and provide cutting-edge co-curricular programming. As an adviser, she is a valuable resource for students, providing insight and advice on big-picture topics like getting into graduate school, landing an internship or research opportunity and securing scholarships for research and study abroad.
Rockman sets a positive tone for the office and strives to create a cohesive work team. It is because of Rockman’s long-term dedication to the CHP and its students that the department has such a strong reputation for excellence. Rockman builds and maintains strong relationships with current and past students, which has resulted in a generous donor base that allows the program to provide programming and social events to students that it otherwise might not have been able to provide.
Every student needs a go-to person on campus, and she serves as that person for many. When CHP alumni return to campus, one of their first stops is to see Rockman. She is an amazing bridge between CHP alumni and the university.
Information Technology
Benjamin Barkin-Wilkins’ stellar knowledge and experience is only exceeded by his humility, professionalism and collegiality. On a late afternoon in January 2024, the campus network suffered a major event that affected the entire campus. As a lead network engineer at Technology Services, Barkin-Wilkins led the incident response for the networking teams until mid-morning of the following day without pause or rest. As a result of his dedicated efforts, the campus network was restored before business and classes began. He continued to lead his team, working closely with a vendor until all outstanding issues were fully resolved. Without his high degree of initiative, applied expertise and dedication, the impact of this event could have caused considerable disruption to the campus for extended periods of time.
Barkin-Wilkins shows sincere interest in employees and the solutions to their problems and is highly regarded by peers and IT colleagues for sharing solutions and advice. His strengths include customer service, creativity and innovation, job knowledge, judgement and decision making, listening skills, leadership, stewardship, teamwork and relationship-building skills, and communication and cooperation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Barkin-Wilkins provided urgent, timely assistance to design, construct and maintain a secure network connection with Carle Foundation Hospital and clinic, helping to provide businesses and industries with testing to get people back to work. He is consistently one of the smartest people in the room, and one who is extremely inventive and influential in making sound decisions.
Senior web application developer Helen Zhou is the undisputed expert among her colleagues on issues of accessibility and the web. She uses her leadership skills to move the University Library, the university as a whole and the broader community forward.
Inspired by joining the campus IT Accessibility Liaison program in 2018, Zhou proceeded to expand her expertise and skillset by completing multiple badges from Disability Resources and Educational Services, several third-party certificates from internationally recognized accessibility organizations and the three-course Information and Accessibility Design and Policy Certificate from the U. of I. Zhou’s dedication and applicable knowledge have strengthened the library’s position as an “accessibility-first” web content provider and reinforced the university’s long-standing reputation as a leader in accessibility in higher education.
Analytics are critical to the University Library’s marketing and recruitment campaigns aimed at both students and faculty. When Google released Google Analytics 4, Zhou recognized its importance and recommended the Library become an early adopter of GA4. She led the entire team through a summer project in 2021 to ensure implementation using best practices. She also proposed taking that knowledge and sharing it with colleagues across campus.
Zhou is generous in time and spirit, modeling effective work habits to peers while shaping broader strategic directions. She is exactly the type of quiet yet assertive staff leader that the university needs, inspiring others to action through her example, top-notch work and supportive ethic.
Research
Research laboratory manager Amy Ahmed consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that work at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology goes as smoothly as possible. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she was instrumental in getting the right equipment prepped and ready for travel very quickly, so that it could be loaned to Carle Foundation Hospital until the equipment they ordered for this purpose arrived. Her efforts helped to provide for life-saving testing before there was a widespread testing protocol or option.
Ahmed works to educate herself on new research techniques as well as leadership, management and communication skills. Her work ethic and attention to detail make her a great asset in developing alternatives when hardships present themselves or when something critical needs to be done correctly the first time. Her efforts at the Bee Research Facility greatly assist researchers by providing the necessary equipment, allowing the research staff to begin working almost immediately while ensuring the health and welfare of the bees.
She is invaluable in taking new students and postdoctoral researchers from complete novices to performing complex molecular protocols. She removes many barriers to entry for students less accustomed to molecular work, while at the same time enabling them to build independence and confidence as they progress in their research. Ahmed is also adept at learning and troubleshooting new protocols, helping the lab stay at the cutting edge of genomics and contributing to the esteemed reputation of the lab and IGB.
Sarah Douglass has an impressive track record as an associate research scientist, extensive contributions to malacology (study of mollusks) and dedication to her research, colleagues and mentees. She has been at the Prairie Research Institute since 2008 and has risen from a safety officer to lab manager to mollusk research program head. Her commitment to her work is evident in the breadth and depth of her contributions to various research projects and initiatives, such as leading federally listed mussel conservation research, using freshwater eDNA methods to detect rare and invasive invertebrate and fish species and creating a long-term study tracking mussel movements.
Douglass’ initiative and creativity have significantly contributed to the improved operating efficiency of her lab and PRI, from training students and staff to safely use, organize and maintain laboratory and field equipment; working with the university’s Division of Research Safety to improve field safety measures; and inviting speakers to the university through her committee work with the Illinois Natural History Survey seminar team.
Her contributions extend beyond her immediate responsibilities, as she actively works to enhance the reputation of the department and the university through her research, presentations and outreach activities. Her work as a member of statewide and regional aquatic invertebrate conservation committees has contributed to the understanding of freshwater mussel conservation, spearheaded status assessments for federally listed species and has solidified INHS’s reputation as a leader in freshwater ecology research.
Service and Maintenance
The University Archives houses many one-of-a-kind sets of records from the earliest days of the university to the present. Steve Bermingham, a facility operations specialist, plays an integral role in securing, carefully handling and delivering these items so staff can process them most effectively. He also leads his libraries facilities colleagues in many other ways that support the University Library’s operations to make the multiple libraries much more comfortable, so that time spent in them is more productive.
Bermingham routinely goes beyond the minimal requirements of preparing spaces for events. He is consistently positive and perpetually in motion, with a way of making everyone feel as though he is here just for them. He ensures that Library facilities issues are handled efficiently and effectively. He works effectively within a very diverse organization, contributing not only to the necessary upkeep of our facilities but also in terms of promoting a positive work environment.
Bermingham’s willingness to continually improve his skill set and certifications has greatly enhanced the Library’s ability to keep the Oak Street Library vaults optimally operational. He constantly develops his expertise. He has become the go-to person for all types of shelving questions in the main stacks, especially operating the compact shelving units in the west stacks. He has a proclivity for finding a creative and reasonable solution to each situation with which he is presented.
As a food services supervisor for University Housing Dining Services, Jordan Graning is extremely focused and conscientious about every detail in her work. She accomplishes all her tasks in a timely manner and communicates very well with her staff. Graning oversaw almost 300 students on the food service staff at Ikenberry Dining Center in 2022, and she was able to navigate and achieve the student scheduling very efficiently while running the dinner shift and serving between 2,200-2,400 meals and managing 15-20 full-time staff.
Graning easily identifies the core issues while at work, making decisions and involving others as needed. She has a strong leadership style and communicates with her co-workers, full-time staff members and students in a respectful manner. She is willing to share ideas for improvements and guidance on how to achieve them. She initiates and cooperates with managers and co-workers during theme meals and is responsible for decorating the dining halls accordingly. When dining services is understaffed, Graning will put on an apron, pitching in with prepping meals, making special allergy-friendly meals, working in the dish room or sweeping and mopping floors, often coming in early or staying late as needed.
She takes the time to get to know the staff individually and praises their accomplishments. Graning interacts with customers with professionalism and kindness and encourages her staff to do the same. She goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to better themselves and perform their best.
Student Services
True to his collaborative nature and genuine interest in enhancing the university’s reputation, associate athletic director for academic services Stephon Fuqua has been actively involved in Student Success @ Illinois efforts since the beginning, actively serving on three different SSI committees. Fuqua and his colleague have been open and encouraging about sharing their highly successful Student Assessment Evaluation, which has helped form the Early Screening and Support Project pilot program and the Illinois Scholars Program in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. Fuqua has been supportive in developing these efforts. As he said many times, the success of any of our students contributes to the success of all our students.
Fuqua leads this team of counselors and learning specialists who execute a comprehensive academic support program of the highest quality. He serves on the board for the National Association of Athletic Academic Advisors and on a departmental committee that drives diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. In all these ways, Fuqua demonstrates a commitment to raising the profile of the University of Illinois, and he does so with tremendous poise and integrity.
Fuqua’s involvement with multiple committees showcases his commitment to student success but also reflects his kind-hearted character. By improving the academic performance of student-athletes and maintaining high graduation and career placement rates, Fuqua ensures that we continue to attract the most talented student-athletes and provide them with support so that they continue to succeed academically and athletically.
As the director of academic advising and career services in the School of Chemical Sciences, Patricia Simpson has implemented strategies to ensure SCS graduates leverage the full value of their degree as they embark on meaningful careers. She supports students’ pursuit of high-quality internships and assists them in landing highly competitive post-graduation employment opportunities. This work is grounded in her strong commitment to students and her belief in their potential for greatness. She cares deeply about each and every student, no matter their level, background or challenges, and works tirelessly to help them reach their goals.
Simpson is a center of expertise and source of mentorship for five direct reports as well as SCS staff beyond her unit and career services professionals across the campus. She is a “go-to” coach who is always quick to share her knowledge, perspective and guidance that equip people to be successful in their roles. Her wisdom is often sought and always valued when navigating matters of policy, practice, advocacy and equity that impact the delivery of career development services and resources across campus. She can quickly dissect complex problems, offer valuable insight and propose viable next steps or solutions.
Simpson graciously and skillfully took on leadership of the Liberal Arts & Sciences Career Services community for nearly two years during the height of the pandemic, taking on extra responsibilities because the college and campus needed her. She is an outstanding leader on our campus whose influence extends well beyond SCS.