CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sarah Wells was selected as the 2026 Office Professional of the Year by the Illinois Administrative Professionals organization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Wells is the assistant to the executive director of the Prairie Research Institute at Illinois. She was nominated by Praveen Kumar, the executive director of PRI and a professor of civil and environmental engineering, in recognition of her outstanding professionalism, dedication and contributions to the institute and the university at large.
Wells becomes the 34th person to receive the honor. She was presented with the award at the IAP’s annual spring membership meeting.
“Winning this award is truly an honor,” Wells said. “I’m especially grateful that my supervisor thought enough of my contributions to take the time to nominate me. Knowing that my efforts are valued and have made a positive impact is incredibly rewarding.”
“Sarah plays a central role in shaping PRI’s administrative framework, ensuring that initiatives — from the mentoring program to cross-campus collaborations to high-profile stakeholder engagements — are implemented with precision, professionalism and heart,” Kumar said. “Her work reflects the spirit of the Illinois’ land-grant mission: she values people, strengthens communities and advances education and institutional excellence far beyond the scope of her formal position.”
Wells began working at the university in 2013 in a part-time role as an operations coordinator with the Division of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. She credited her grandmother with nudging her to pursue a career at Illinois.
“She kept encouraging me to apply for a position at the university, and I’m so glad I finally listened,” Wells said. “Looking back, I only wish I had taken her advice sooner. The benefits are fantastic, and I really enjoy being part of the campus community.”
The part-time role in the College of ACES proved to be a good fit while she had two young children at home. After five years there, she joined PRI in a full-time capacity in 2019, where there’s “never a dull moment.” She admires the work happening across PRI, and the institute’s research has even inspired her to make small changes in her own life, like being more environmentally conscious.
“Above all, it’s the people who make PRI such a great place to work,” Wells added.
She also expressed high praise for the other nominees shortlisted for the honor and the consistent contributions all office professionals make toward realizing the university’s mission.
“Building trust, listening and understanding how people work are just as important as keeping calendars organized or meetings on track,” Wells said. “Office professionals are often the people connecting others, solving problems before they become bigger issues and helping create an environment where colleagues can do their best work. I appreciate being in a role where I can contribute in that way.”
The Illinois Administrative Professionals group seeks to build collegiality, promote professional development and networking, and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among employees in certain civil service classifications. Founded in 1948 as the Secretariat, the IAP voted to change its name in 2018 to better reflect the evolving roles and responsibilities of those it represents.
Established in 1992, the Office Professional of the Year Award recognizes exceptional administrative professionals among the IAP membership whose expertise and professionalism help their unit run more effectively.
