VPDoS Staff Awards Program
The purpose of this awards program is to recognize staff at all levels within the VPDoS Division. There are five award Categories: 1) Innovation; 2) Outstanding Newcomer; 3) Outstanding Service to Students; 4) Outstanding Service to the University Community; 5) Stephen P. Klass "STAR" Award (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability).
This annual awards program has been developed to recognize Vice President and Dean of Students (VPDoS) staff member individuals who have made a valuable and much appreciated impact on university life, whether through their interactions with students, faculty and others, or through the development of new systems, policies and programs.
2006-2007 Winners
Innovation
Natalie Tilghman, Assistant Director - Office of Graduate Affairs
Under Natalie's guidance, the Family Resource Center has grown into a welcoming space on campus where moms and dads can bring children to nurse, change a diaper, or just play. In addition, the Family Resource Center offers a myriad of programmatic elements ranging from puppet shows to musical demonstrations to preschool prep classes to cultural events. These activities serve to enrich the lives of our children, as well as to bring together a community of people with a shared concern for balancing family and school.
Outstanding Newcomer
Robin Graham, Assistant Director - Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
Robin has offered many unique and creative ideas for new initiatives and for ways to solve issues. For example, when faced with multiple requests from internship programs to present to our students, Robin took it upon herself to create a new program in collaboration with CAPS that would allow all of the programs to present to the students at once. Not only was this program a success, but several other internship programs now want to join on the event next year.
Outstanding Service to Students
Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean of Students and Director - Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
As an advocate for students of color, she also plays the role of mentor to them. One student commented that Ana is "truly invested in hearing what students have to say and thoroughly thinks over their concerns before making any decisions."
Outstanding Service to the University Community
Brian Bock, Facilities Manager - Department of Physical Education and Athletics
Brian's approach to his job equates to his treating the recreational facilities as a small town, where he has invested himself like a "mayor" in getting to personally know many of our members and students by assisting them with their initial introduction to our facilities to helping answer their questions to working to solve facility related issues.
Stephen P. Klass "STAR" Award (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability)
Deborah Pratt, Administrative Director - Student Counseling and Resource Service
She deals with troubled students who need to be seen immediately, faculty and staff worried about a particular student, parents or friends of troubled students, or just dealing with different departments in the University in a more directly administrative role. She does all of this with an extraordinary grace and patience. We have many busy, difficult days at SCRS. You would not know if we were having one while you are talking to Deb on the phone.
2005-2006 Winners
Innovation
Brooke Noonan, Assistant Director - Office of Graduate Affairs
The graduate student mixer is another example of the way Brooke is able to take a large and almost abstract problem - the tendency of graduate students to become isolated and to interact largely within their programs - and approach it with a practical eye, bringing students together for an evening so that they can get a sense of themselves as part of a bigger group.
Outstanding Newcomer
Vickie Sides, Director - Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention
Vickie provides opportunities for students to interact with professionals and academics involved in understanding, discussing, and preventing sexual violence. Furthermore, Vickie has been able to engage the members of student groups who have not always trusted RSVP due to its link to administration.
Outstanding Service to Students
Emma Crawford, Burton-Judson Desk Clerk - Residence Halls and Commons
From improving the labeling on mailboxes so that there are fewer sorting errors to making sure that information about ongoing issues are passed from one shift's clerk to the next, Emma is extremely proficient at foreseeing and preventing potential difficulties. She also makes the effort to get to know who the residents are and to remember concerns that they may have.
Outstanding Customer Service
Holly Bland, Ida Noyes Events Coordinator - Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities
Over the years, I have worked closely with several different individuals in this position and firmly believe that Holly has been the easiest person to work with at Ida Noyes since I have been here. No request is ever too big, too unmanageable, or beyond a creative solution. I truly appreciate the efforts she has shown to improve our events and save money [for our office].
Stephen P. Klass "STAR" Award (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability)
Katie Callow-Wright, Director - University House System
Katie is truly one of the STARs of the Dean of Students Office. As one of the key behind the scenes people in student services, many students don't know her name, what she looks like or have any idea of the countless hours she spends every day advocating on their behalf...The University of Chicago's House System is well known as one of the most influential experiences for students and this is due in large part to Katie's efforts.
