SAA 2024 Division Winners
Nominate a colleague today by completing the Superior Accomplishment Award Nomination form!
Office Administration, Human Resources & IT
Location: College of Dentistry
“Abel Gilbert has gone WAY beyond fulfilling the responsibilities outlined in his job description. Everyone in the College of Dentistry knows Abel. He makes a point of acknowledging our students by name. He has an amazing memory and interpersonal skills that he uses to reach out to our students, staff, faculty and alumni in a most personal and professional manner. He can speak eight languages, enabling him to relate and communicate with almost anyone. Abel is thoughtful, caring and is in his own right an outstanding ambassador for UFCD.”
Location: Florida Museum of Natural History
“Bev has been one of the individuals who has made my work at the Florida Museum and UF a very rewarding and pleasant experience, even during the challenging move of the Fish Collection, of which I am Curator, to the Special Collections Building. She is an extremely competent and always-pleasant individual. She is an exemplary employee of the University of Florida and deserving of this important form of recognition.”
Location: College of Health & Health Professions
“Brenda has brought the “wow factor” to CHP. She makes sure everyone is recognized for special occasions like birthdays or awards. She responds to emails within the day–a daunting task with the volume we all receive. Brenda treats everyone with respect and patience – you feel special and valued after interacting with her. Whether it is coordinating our football challenge, cooking for a birthday celebration, assisting a student with travel or helping a faculty member set up a new research lab, you walk away with a ‘wow – Brenda is really helpful’ feeling.”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“I note that Carrie often stays late, after regular work hours, to complete the numerous tasks she’s regularly assigned. This kind of dedication is one of the reasons that our department can maintain our notable high pace of intellectual activity and research productivity. She is committed to our success and it shows regularly. I can think of no more deserving a candidate for this award than Ms. Carrie Williams!”
Location: UF Information Technology
“While his work is truly impressive, one of the main reasons I chose to nominate Chris was the persistent positivity and optimism he displays when working with his team and clients. No matter what problem he is solving or which new technology he is testing, Chris has a way of assuring everyone that anything is possible.”
Location: Health Affairs
“Craig goes above and beyond by noticing smaller details that can be easily overlooked. Most folks center their attention on achieving the end result or getting to the finish line. While that is important, the smaller details are where you can notice the difference and see that exceptional work. Craig is willing to problem solve with faculty and staff and take the time to explain project plans or train users on the unfamiliar technology. His willingness and patience put our customers at ease. Craig‘s emphasis on presentation, aesthetics and customer satisfaction help customers gain confidence and support of his proposed solutions.”
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center
“Delaney is always professional and exhibits her greatest strengths through her creativity. If you ever have a random idea and want honest feedback, Delaney is the perfect person you want to brainstorm with. Aside from representing our department’s mission, Delaney has proven to always be willing to do what it takes to make sure that everyone has exceptional employee experience while working at the O’Connell Center. Her leadership skills are impressive, and her positive personality is contagious.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“What truly distinguishes Dinos is his passion for creating an optimal work environment for each staff member. His creative problem-solving approach consistently yields solutions for potential issues before they escalate into actual problems. Dinos anticipates needs proactively, consistently exceeding expectations to improve his colleagues’ technological experience at work. His authentic concern for his colleagues and steadfast commitment to improvement truly sets him apart as an exceptional team member.”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“When [a member of the team] left, we were concerned about the impact on the team. Dustin stepped in and stepped up before we even asked. We hoped to ‘tread water’ long enough to hire a new person. Instead, we discovered a gifted individual that moved us forward in a time of uncertainty.”
Location: College of Medicine
“During this past year, Emil really stepped up to assist the department. In addition to his normal responsibilities, he covered the department’s Fiscal Assistant responsibilities when the position came open. What was supposed to be a short stop gap, resulted in him essentially doing two jobs for almost 9 months. He repeatedly worked extra hours and weekends to ensure his main responsibilities were met, while taking on the added responsibilities normally covered by the Fiscal Assistant.”
Location: UF Advancement
“In addition to his professional expertise, I must emphasize J.A.’s personal qualities. While tackling the challenges inherent in a project of this scale, he managed to inject kindness, humor, and moments of levity into the team’s demanding work. His exceptional interpersonal skills fostered a positive work environment, even during high-stress periods. He is a true asset to our institution, and I have no doubt that his future contributions will continue to enhance the university’s mission. His unwavering commitment to excellence is a shining example of the dedication and professionalism that defines the University of Florida.”
Location: Student Health Care Center
“Jacques has always set the bar high in all that he provides for the Student Health Care Center but this past year he went above that threshold. There were challenging issues at times but as always, he maintained a professional demeanor and worked with the issue until there was resolution. Jacques met with the departments and specifically managers to make sure each area had their needs met, and at times he would provide feedback that no one had thought of. Jacques’ commitment to our organization and his work ethic make him an asset to our department and deserving the recognition of the nomination.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“I support Jordan’s nomination for these reasons and so many more. He embodies all the qualities one would expect in a Superior Accomplishment Award recipient, including an unwavering commitment to excellence in all he does, an exemplary work ethic and attitude, and a consistent willingness to go above and beyond expectations. He is a truly remarkable individual and deserving of this prestigious award.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Kathy shows a tremendous dedication to our organization with a “can-do” attitude, is deeply invested in teaching and propelling others to succeed and has been able to create a customer-centric model for our faculty, staff, residents, and fellows that has not been seen in our department prior to her taking on this leadership role. Her talents are multiplied through her ability to coach others up, and she has contributed to better financial performance for our department.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Her ability to work collaboratively and effectively communicate with both internal and external stakeholders has been instrumental in building strong relationships and fostering productive partnerships. I am impressed by Kelly’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality results, even in challenging circumstances. Her dedication to continuous improvement and her willingness to take on new responsibilities demonstrate her commitment to professional growth and development.”
Location: UF Information Technology
“She isn’t just a platform developer or coder- she’s a true partner with us in Extension. She’s part of our mission. She goes the extra mile, consistently and with excellence and kindness. She embodies the high ideal of professional competence, dedicated character and energetic engagement. It is in this winsome combination of robust skills and impressive results that Krista exceeds expectations.”
Location: UF/IFAS West Florida Research & Education Center
“Lee will roll up his sleeves and jump in when he sees a need or a co-worker struggling, regardless of whether it is part of his job description. He has been a painter, traffic director, food server and MUCH more here at the WFREC.”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“Margaret’s energy and passion for performing her administrative responsibilities in her high-volume home unit (Math) are admirable in their own right. That she has been able to bring that passion and energy to a second unit while maintaining and even absorbing additional duties in her home unit is incredible. I have been at UF for over two decades, and Margaret is without question the most effective and efficient administrative staff member I have encountered here.”
Location: Housing & Residence Life
“His genuine desire to help inspire and motivate his peers to go above and beyond, his selfless attitude of seeing what is best for the team and doing it with enthusiasm, and his ability to lead others with humility and kindness sets Ram apart and is truly Superior.”
Location: College of Medicine
“On a personal level, Ms. Malone is unassuming, gracious, and kind. To look at her, you would immediately recognize that she is a professional, but you maybe would not realize that she is as tireless, relentless, and as dedicated as she is. She gets the job done and is, what we would call in the military, a ‘fire and forget’ type of person. She receives the mission, and she executes.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“Suzie has also simply just put in the time, often going beyond the standard 40-hour work week when needed. When we were in crunch time for getting final decisions on freshman applications, Suzie put in the time to have decisions complete on time. She constantly showing leadership, being willing to cover night or weekend programs, some requiring significant travel, when needed. As the Director, I know I can always count on Suzie to get the job done.”
Location: Business Affairs – Vice President’s Office
“All of the work that Tara has performed this year since Deadra’s passing has been outside of the scope of her regular job duties. Not only did Tara step up and take on this additional responsibility she did it with a positive attitude. Having worked with Deadra for many years, it can’t have been easy for her to juggle her sadness over losing her co-worker while also shouldering so much extra responsibility but she did it with grace.”
Location: Facilities Services
“Veronica is definitely more than her title to me, she’s caring, she’s patience, she’s sincere, she doesn’t mind helping you solve an issue big or small, trust me I know, I have called her on for ‘several occasions’ not knowing who to call for help, and she never tells me ‘Monica that’s not my department’ or ‘I don’t know’, she simply points me in the right direction. And I appreciate her for the taking the time out of her schedule to help me.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Whitney’s thoughtfulness extends beyond her professional responsibilities. Her attention to team morale, demonstrated through celebrating birthdays and fostering a cohesive team dynamic, significantly contributes to a positive work environment, reflecting her commitment to the well-being of our team members.”
Location: UF Information Technology
“Ying is not only an exceptional professional but also a supportive and collaborative team member who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that researchers and staff who use research computing services are successful. Her dedication is a key reason that AI research continues to grow and thrive at UF and that our staff and faculty can be enabled in their career goals.”
Operations & Safety
Location: UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center – Quincy
“It is a pleasure to work with Mark and we are extremely proud of him. He definitely represents allthe values that this Award attempts to capture and recognize. He not only goes the extra mile, but he does so in a way that avoids drawing attention to him. He is one of the most selfless people I know, and he deserves to be recognized.”
Location: Housing & Residence Life
“He’s very caring and compassionate about his staff. We just want to express our gratitude to someone who is understanding and always willing to go the extra mile for his staff on and off the job. Working for him is an honor. Working without him is an absolute horror. His dedication to our success in the Springs area NEVER goes unnoticed and for that we are grateful, and we THANK YOU!”
Location: Housing & Residence Life
“Her leadership ability is unparalleled. She is a proven team player who has a pulse on what it takes to get her job done and never seeks to be in the limelight, but always wants to ensure that a job is done in a professional and extraordinary manner. Our department is very fortunate to have Sharon as a staff member. Thankfully, she is with our phenomenal team.”
Location: Environmental Health & Safety
“Robert is one of the co-workers you always want to have on your team. He does his job, does it well and goes out of his way to make sure that things are done properly. He is very dedicated to the removal of barriers for all individuals in the built environment. Robert does all this, while supporting a family and attending classes here at the University to earn his Doctorate in Historic Preservation.”
Location: University Police Department
“Ms. Robin always goes above and beyond. Every day she helps the children and parents cross Newell Dr. safely. She is always cheerful and friendly. She hugs the children, knows them by name, and has started handing out treats and goodies for the holidays, or just because. Our parents are constantly commenting on how wonderful she is with the children. Ms. Robin has been invited to a number of Baby Gator events and both children and teachers love having her. She is a joy everyday!”
Health Care & Physical Sciences
Location: College of Veterinary Medicine
“Ashley’s compassionate nature extends beyond her managerial responsibilities to her involvement in rescue work, underscoring her steadfast commitment to having the lives of animals under our care. Her kindness, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication render her not only an outstanding colleague but also a vital asset to our organization.”
Location: Animal Care Services
“CJ is compassionate and dedicated to providing not only my colony, but all the animals in the facility with the utmost care every day. He has adjusted his schedule to come in earlier than most to make sure the necessary cleaning precautions are taken to start the day and provide the early feeding to my canine colony. He never hesitates to spend the extra time with my canines and his communication skills are exceptional when I need details important to their health. CJ has also volunteered time and time again to stay overnights for hurricanes. It is my strong opinion that CJ deserves the Superior Accomplishment Award and has my highest recommendation.”
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Dr. Sapes has only been in his position as a Biological Scientist III for a short period; however, his contributions and impact are equaling those that have been employed for several years. Dr. Sapes has become a go to person within the 350complex, the department and across departments for his expertise. Aside from going above and beyond each and every day, Dr. Sapes is truly a kind person. He welcomes everyone and works hard to provide the support to each person that requests help or walks into his office. Often Dr. Sapes is the last person to leave our office complex ensuring that lights are out and doors are locked to keep our spaces safe.”
Location: Counseling & Wellness Center
“Hailey provides invaluable consultations with counselors, helping to problems solve some of the most dire situations you could ever imagine a student being in. I truly trust Hailey and when I refer a client to her, I feel confident this client is in excellent hands! Hailey is truly worthy of a many awards – I see her as an unsung hero!”
Location: Student Health Care Center
“You can say that Jeff Phillips has gone way ‘above and beyond’ what has been asked of him. Or, you may say that Jeff has ‘gone the extra mile’. Whatever the term, Jeff is the ULTIMATE team player. He has incredible foresight and experience that makes him an invaluable member of the SHCC team. The UF student body is truly blessed to have Jeff lead the nursing staff at the Student Health Care Center.”
Location: College of Medicine
“I know there are many amazing professionals here at UF. But there is only one Jennifer St. Clair. In my entire career, I have met no one who matches her exceptional qualities and impact on both an individual and broader scale. She is the most energetic, engaged and motivated person who also produces outcomes. I am so pleased to nominate Jennifer for the Superior Accomplishment Award.”
Location: College of Medicine
“In addition to Jessica being efficient, she’s also a bright light. Jessica maintains a coolness, sort of calmness about her. She’s never the loudest person in the room and doesn’t say much unless necessary. A lot of people and processes fell out of sync after the transition last year. A lot of those processes were administrative. Jessica revamped, changed ,and upgraded many of those processes that affected EVERYONE. Things are much more efficient, and our processes are so much simpler”
Location: UF Health
“Ms. Szlachetka is a superb team leader and enjoys the respect of all the sonographers in the unit. She has been highly successful in recruiting new and talented sonographers as we have expanded our diagnostic program. Once she has recruited new individuals, she ensures that they are carefully supervised before they are allowed to function independently. By taking these steps, she pays strict attention to patient safety, and our patients, in turn, love her and appreciate both her technical skill and her compassionate big sister” approach to their well-being.”
Location: UF Health
“Marcie performs all of her many assigned duties exceptionally well and always with a smile on herface. She possesses excellent people skills and performs all responsibilities in a professional manner. She is my first point of contact whenever I need any type of IT help, regardless if it is in her domain, because I know that she will always point me in the right direction, even after hours when she should not be answering my queries.”
Location: University Police Department
“Meggen is a caring and down to earth individual who is always willing to share her vast knowledge, experiences, and networks to help those around her. She is extremely hardworking and thoughtful in all that she does. Meggen wears many hats and could easily just function as a manager but she is so much more than that. She is an innovation team leader who is always willing to pitch in and help her coworkers. She willingly takes on extra responsibilities in support of the wellness of everyone at UFPD & the community they serve.”
Location: College of Medicine – Jacksonville
“On a personal level, Nicole has been a strong leader and advocate for me during my time with the UF First Coast CPT. She makes every room in our office feel calm, safe, and comfortable. She is always willing to go above and beyond for our staff and the families we serve. She shows great initiative and is always looking for ways to ensure we are following the protocols set forth by the university.”
Location: IFAS/College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“Rachel is the backbone of our administrative support system, handling diverse responsibilities with unparalleled efficiency and diligence. Despite the challenges posed by our growing department, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, expertly navigating complex university regulations, and managing a myriad of administrative tasks with ease. Her ability to promptly address inquiries, resolve issues, and provide invaluable assistance to faculty, staff, and students is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Location: College of Medicine – Jacksonville
“I have had the honor to work with Rachel for over 20 years. She is one of the most admirable people I have ever worked with. She is honest (sometimes brutally), funny, and dedicated with a huge passion for what is right. Ask her, she will share what is right. I stand in awe of this person who truly loves people and feels she must take every opportunity to make things right for the children she sees and the colleagues she works with. I really believe Rachel would travel the world to help someone if needed. I know it is a better place with her in it.”
Location: Student Health Care Center
“Shellayna is such a bright light, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of an award like this. There’s a difference in doing something because of the job requirement and then doing something because you truly care about the work life of everyone around you. Shellayna cares. Having her as a coworker makes working in this department easy. There are a lot of things that are not easy in the current world that we live in, working with someone like Shellayna who cares about everyone, is.”
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“As a faculty member at UF, I am very grateful for the fact that we do recognize deserving employees who go the extra mile. Tatiane Maia (Biological Scientist II) is one of those employees. I have been a faculty member at the University of Florida for over 40 years and have been fortunate to have a technician under my supervision during that entire time. I can honestly say that she is most valuable employee I have ever had”
Finance, Research & Compliance
Location: College of Medicine
“Cassie’s ambition is infectious. She is never content with the status quo and consistently seeks opportunities for growth and improvement. Her determination to set and achieve ambitious goals inspires those around her to push their own boundaries and aim for new heights. Cassie’s drive and passion are not just admirable but also instrumental in driving progress within any team or organization lucky enough to have her.”
Location: Transportation & Parking Services
“Choi’s dedication exceptional work ethic, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities make her highly deserving candidate for the Superior Accomplishment Award. Choi’s remarkable ability to lead by example and positively impact our team. She embodies the qualities of a dedicated, innovative, and collaborative team member who consistently exceeds expectations.”
Location: College of Pharmacy
“David Smith deserves to be recognized for his unwavering dedication to the University of Florida by receiving the UF Superior Accomplishment Award. We are fortunate to have David work for our team and are constantly encouraged and uplifted by his positive enthusiastic personality. David is an outstanding coordinator, and a thoughtful and kind person, whom we are lucky to work alongside everyday as we strive to enhance UF’s research mission.”
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Janice’s calm and positive way of interacting with faculty is encouraging and motivating. There were numerous times I was discouraged by a grant application process, but Janice‘s can-do attitude and confidence that we could meet the deadline or work around any technical issues provided the push needed to get the grant submitted and funded.”
Location: College of Medicine
“One of Matt‘s most outstanding qualities is his remarkable team spirit. He thrives in collaborative environments, actively contributes to group discussions, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to his colleagues. Matt has an innate ability to bring out the best in those around him, fostering a sense of unity and cohesion that is vital in any team. He inspires others to work together seamlessly to achieve common goals efficiently.”
Student, Academic & Alumni Services
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Alexis brings an extremely high level of competence along with an amazing attitude to this position. She has done all that is included in her job description but she has done it at a much higher level than is required.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Perhaps most impressively, Ms. Lawson has been a beacon of support and encouragement throughout our academic journey. She has not only helped us navigate the intricate application process for graduate school but has also celebrated our achievements with enthusiasm. Her commitment to recognizing our accomplishments, both big and small, at our monthly meetings has created a positive and motivating environment for us to thrive in.”
Location: Office of the Provost
“She consistently demonstrates her willingness to go above and beyond in serving campus partners. She responds to requests and emails in lightning fast fashion, without sacrificing accuracy. She makes sure she is working attentively and responding in a timely fashion.”
Location: College of Medicine
“One of the most admirable traits Emily possesses is an ability to dive right into new projects and tasks and to navigate the unknowns of learning new skills with poise. The words “that’s not my job” are not in her vocabulary. From the moment she joined our team, she pitched in wherever she was needed, despite her job title as “writer.””
Location: College of Journalism & Communications
“Jessica Osegueda is the consummate professional who consistently exceeds expectations in event planning with her commitment to excellence, collaborative skills, and unwavering attention to detail that is unmatched among her colleagues in CJC. She is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty that not only contributes to successful events for CJC, but has raised the overall standard of what is expected for events in our organization.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“Kassy completes every task, no matter how difficult, with a smile and a positive attitude. She can always be counted on to assist anyone in our department who may need help. Kassy often volunteers to give financial aid presentations on nights and weekends and has proven to be a capable and effective team player.”
Location: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
“Above and beyond expectations, Krista has expanded the Department’s national presence, improving academic communications across campus and maintaining our academic advising at the highest professional standards. For example, she is a member of the NACADA Graduate & Professional Students Advising Group Steering Committee. She created a TEAMS channel for all grad advisors across campus to network/share best practices.”
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Lorraine is successful because she is a hard worker; however, she is able to go above and beyond because she is a smart worker that is able to interact with students and faculty from many backgrounds. Her presence and level of competence has been tremendously helpful to the department’s graduate coordinator, Dr. Lynn Sollenberger.”
Location: Center for Teaching Excellence
“Nikki is without question dedicated to her role and conducts her day-to-day interactions with both great precision and individualized communication to faculty, staff, and other stakeholders. All of my interactions, as a course instructor, a member on the committee for excellence in online learning, and a unit assistant dean for lifelong learning overseeing all online initiatives with Nikki have highlighted her skills to support, encourage, and foster the quality of courses and programs”
Location: Center for Latin American Studies
“Po is a worker that is really thirsty for knowledge, significantly self taught, and most importantly has the humility to take feedback. Her capacity of taking feedback and actually listen is one that I would characterize as stellar. Pohas the sensibility of a great passion for helping students and at the same time be willing to be honest when the situation arises. She is a tenacious colleague who comes to meetings always ready to participate with facts and great commitment.”
Faculty
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Dr. Faciola is a quintessential embodiment of this award’s spirit. He consistently excelsin teaching and mentoring, delivering innovative and unique learning experiences for his students, including groundbreaking initiatives like the study abroad program. His research output consistently surpasses expectations, and he boasts an impressive record of graduate student graduation. His leadership roles and commitment to leadership development indicate that he will continue to expand his impact within the Department, College, and beyond.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Dan’s exceptional leadership, teaching, and research demonstrate that he has the professional gravitas for this award. Moreover, his exemplary dedication to satisfying and surpassing expectations of faculty members and department chairs speaks to his commitment to the university as well as to his outstanding character. Dan is known for his ethics, his integrity, and for his dedication to his work and to the people he works with. He leads by example and inspires others to excel and maintain the highest standards.”
Location: Student Health Care Center
“I think it is worth a mention as well that Dr. Gravlee is the first female UF Student Health Director. She broke that glass ceiling humbly and quietly. I believe she still has to deal with some gender inequity and perceived notions about female leaders, but she does so with patience and grace, and I greatly admire her for setting this example.”
Location: College of Medicine – Jacksonville
“I am often in awe of Dr. Leung for whom while every clinic across the organization is combating excessive patient no shows and late cancellations, Dr. Leung’s patients not only show up for their visits but when they do not she has a way of tracking them down to check-in with them and begin their visits on the spot. This is the result of Dr. Leung’svery close rapport with her patients and understanding their needs therefore the importance of keeping their visits and continuing their prescribed medication.”
Location: P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
“Ms. Brewster is extremely dedicated to her students, and she has striven to give them new and exciting opportunities which advance them both academically and socially.”
Location: College of Dentistry
“I cannot find a word to say how a person with highest achievements in the field of pediatric dentistry and teaching as an exceptional academic individual would deserve to receive an appreciation and honor but I can say he is unique.”
Location: Counseling & Wellness Center
“Having Philip on the team has provided expedient access to counseling services to our students. We have a referral system that works well to get students without an urgent need seen within a couple of weeks. Philip goes above and beyond, though, and makes himself available for students with an urgent need on any day.”
Location: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
“She has gone above and beyond the criteria outlined in her job description, and she has established the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering as a pioneer in the international education space on campus. As a result of her success, staff and faculty from various colleges and non-academic units reach out to Ping on a regular basis for her expertise and guidance in developing programs. She is always willing and enthusiastic about mentoring and welcoming new international educators across campus.”
Location: UF/IFAS Extension: Pasco County
“While Dr. Elmore made all these contributions seem effortless, she likely spent a considerable amount of time and intellectual resources to bring our Assembly into the post-pandemic era. Her contributions will surely outlast her tenure as chair and set the basis for improved shared governance in our College.”
Location: UF/IFAS Indian River Research & Education Center – Ft. Pierce
“Dr. Xin‘s exceptional accomplishments in research, leadership, and mentorship as a postdoctoral associate not only surpassed my initial expectations but also left a strong impression on my colleagues in our research center. I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Xin‘s nomination for this prestigious award and firmly believe that her work will continue to inspire and contribute significantly to addressing soil health and climate change challenges.”
Rookie of the Year
Location: College of Medicine
“She clearly is a force to be reckoned with. Abbey was born to be a leader and she will go far in her journey. She has already made an impressionable impact in the six months she has been here and continues to touch the lives of those she encounters every day. We are blessed to have her on our team.”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“Her determination to view every obstacle as an opportunity would be enough, in my opinion, to earn Ms. Borrero a Superior Accomplishment Award. However, Ms. Borrero has gone far beyond that characteristic. Earlier this year, Ms. Borrero single-handedly kept the fiscal office in our department functioning while her superior, and only other fiscal staff member, was on extended medical leave.”
Location: UF/IFAS Tropical Research & Education Center – Homestead
“Mr. Montgomery is an outstanding IT Professional. He is primarily in charge of IT at TREC. Andrew has been doing great in maintaining internet at TREC and taking care of IT issues we may encounter every day. He is always proactive to check everything before online events such as meetings and seminars and is present on-site in case something goes wrong”
Location: Enrollment Management
“One of the most striking qualities of Cameron is his exceptional teamwork. He has shown an impressive ability to collaborate with colleagues in other departments, specifically in the colleges that EM collaborates with and supports in their work with UF Online.”
Location: College of Medicine
“I have always been impressed with her professionalism and leadership. She is a thoughtful colleague and is adored by all. She graciously organized and led our divisional research meetings and successfully handled various projects with associated complexities in budgeting, compliance, and submission. She is a natural leader, and she also mentored and inspired many other clinical research coordinators, fellows, and students.”
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center
“She sets the gold standard as an employee. She came into her role when everyone in the office was new. Not only did she find a way to get the entire office back up to full speed very quickly, she also went above and beyond with improvements.”
Location: College of Pharmacy
“What has impressed me most is how she brought her professional experience and knowledge but respected the efforts and processes that we had in place. She skillfully merged the best of both worlds to put us on a path for success.”
Location: College of Medicine – Jacksonville
“The amazing part is that she keeps an upbeat and gracious attitude with her staff and the community. They all say that they love her and that she is the best thing that has happened to CPT.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Jason carries out his impressive work in a professional manner that invites collaboration, recognizes others contributions, and presents feedback constructively. I am impressed by the confidence of his communication with both internal and external stakeholders for a team member as new as himself.”
Location: Student Life
“Jonah is a caring, non-judgmental professional who strives to increase access and breath of harm reduction services to UF students. He also values the professional development of our student staff, understanding that they will soon be the new professionals in our field. He is considerate of their growth and the needs of the profession in general.”
Location: College of Medicine
“It is without doubt that Kathryn is an outstanding employee who has been consistently performing at a superior level. I highly recommend her for the Superior Accomplishment Award.”
Location: Student Health Care Center
“Natasha made a positive impact on many of our students, as seen in countless great comments submitted through our digital comment card and patient satisfaction survey. Patients and staff alike appreciated her warm and approachable personality.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“Nick’s combination of a collaborative spirit, a forward-thinking mindset, and a relentless pursuit of excellence have set him apart as an exceptional candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award. I am confident that he will continue to be a driving force for positive change within our office and the broader university community.”
Location: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
“It is with great enthusiasm that I extend my wholehearted support for the nomination of Ms. Pamela for the Rookie of the Year award. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Pamela on numerous occurrences – either in-person or virtually over conference calls. Added to her expertise in the advice she provides backed with resources and data, she has always portrayed an amalgamation of genuine passion and interest through her words.”
Location: Business Affairs – Vice President’s Office
“She never hesitates to jump in whenever needed. Whether serving on a division-wide committee or as a sounding board for her colleagues. Sarah is the consummate team player. All this and more earned her a much-deserved reclassification into a more strategic role in our division, and I know she will only continue to shine”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“We feel incredibly lucky to have hired someone of Steve’s caliber, who brings tremendous expertise to the job, as well as a positive, upbeat, “can-do” attitude. As a Chair, I appreciate the fact that he isa fast learner, easily and graciously juggles demands from multiple faculty, staff, and students, and is proactive and independent.”
Location: College of Health & Health Professions
“Tim is a great employee who rose to the challenge of being new to UF while navigating complete staff turnover soon after he started. As a new hire, he was suddenly one of the most senior staff members in our department and successfully held down three very different roles until we could fill the vacant positions.”
Sustained Excellence
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Dr. Simonne represents the best of UF. She is deserving of the Superior Accomplishment Award for Sustained Excellence because of persistent effort to ensure the success of her colleagues and her students. She embodies the strengths of a leader!”
Location: UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office
“Beyond all the nuts and bolts things Daisy does and solves for the office, she is the kindest and most pleasant people I have ever been around. She always has a smile, always makes you feel heard, always has you walk away with a smile, and exudes joy every single day. That alone is enough to be recognized in a world that so often shows indifference, frustration, or apathy. Daisy’s positive attitude, combined with her skill and willingness to do whatever is needed is essential to the office”
Location: Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
“Devon Ramia’s journey is a testament to her unyielding passion and commitment to endangered sea turtles, and even more broadly to coastal Florida ecosystem conservation. Her dedication and tireless work ethic have left an indelible mark on the Sea Turtle Hospital and the community it serves.”
Location: UF/IFAS Tropical Research & Education Center – Homestead
“Dr. Evans has set the tone facilitating a truly welcoming and inclusive workplace. He has done this through his personal interactions with students, staff, and faculty – showing specific and genuine interest in the well-being of everyone at the Center. He has embraced and practices open–shared governance and seeks the council and input from students, staff, and faculty on addressing infrastructure issues, academic/research/extension issues and social concerns and issues. He is truly dedication to faculty and student success, serving the agricultural and natural resource communities and clientele.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Jen is incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and committed to the success of everyone in our department. She is an outstanding visionary leader who goes above and beyond to advance our department and university’s research and educational mission. Jen has greatly impacted the Neuroscience community at UF and created an enjoyable, collaborative, and supportive environment, fostering new research efforts and increasing the visibility of UF neuroscientists.”
Location: Student Life
“When I pause to reflect on all that Jerri does and how vast her positive impacts are both in the division and on this campus, I am in awe. She seems to do it all, and does it with ease. Bringing a remarkable level of professionalism, expertise, and integrity to everything she does. Jerri is a one-of-a-kind individual, and we are extremely lucky to have her working in our division.”
Location: College of Medicine
“I know that I could not do what I do without Jessica, and our Division could not do what we do without her. Through children, a marriage, and all the things that happen in 20+ years of life, Jessica Sanders has served UF’s mission with a happy heart and a giving spirit.”
Location: IFAS/College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
“Joel continually offers me support and guidance when I have questions about aspects of the veterinary medicine career, courses, and other big decisions I made during my undergraduate degree. I know Joel will continue to be a lifelong mentor after I graduate, and I am grateful for his support and the effort he has put into making my undergraduate experience unforgettable.”
Location: Office of the Chief Financial Officer
“She has always gone above and beyond what needed to be done. Even in times when I knew she was swamped she would make time to help me. Not only help me but she always never made me feel like I was a burden to her or interrupting her. She always made me feel important and made sure I was comfortable with things. She is truly one of the nicest human beings on the planet and I am proud to support Julie as a nominee for a Superior Accomplishment Award.”
Location: UF Information Technology
“Kieth is an ‘unsung hero’ as he has consistently been a leader in cutting edge information technology to support the university. When people need something done quickly and efficiently, Keith is who they go to. Keith is extraordinary and he defines what a model University of Florida staff member should be.”
Location: College of Dentistry
“What makes Kelly special and so deserving of this award isn’t only that she attended the meetings, contributed to the discussions, edited documents and followed through on all her commitments. It’s also the way she does it. She is a perfectionist in everything she does. She accepted the responsibilities associated with the accreditation as if she was the one being evaluated. In addition, everything she does, she does with a brightness of spirit, a smile, a sense of humor and overall goodwill that is infectious for the people she works with.”
Location: Office of Professional & Workforce Development
“Lauren is not remarkable for any one thing she does. She is remarkable because she does everything with outstanding results while attending school to earn her degree! There is nothing this woman can‘t do or accomplish. As a director, I could not be more fortunate and blessed to have her as my number one to head up and manage OPWD!”
Location: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
“I believe that Mr. Girson is an exemplary candidate for the Sustained Excellence Award. His exceptional contributions have not only advanced the success of BEBR and the FLRDC, but have also set a high standard for project coordination within our colleges. I am confident that recognizing him with this award will not only acknowledge his dedication and hard work but will also inspire others to strive for excellence in their roles. His dedication, communication skills, and organizational prowess have played a pivotal role in the success of our projects. Without a doubt, our centers/institutes could not operate as smoothly and efficiently without Mr. Girson.”
Location: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
“Matt is a very highly valued staff that has been performing at an exceptional level for a sustained duration. It is hard for me to effectively express just how impactful he has been for me personally, for the department and for our entire faculty and staff. I have nominated many staff for awards but never have I had the opportunity to so enthusiastically support someone who deserved the award as much as Matt.”
Location: Enrollment Management
“I have been fortunate to see firsthand the positive effects of Melissa’s outstanding leadership abilities. I have worked with her on countless human resources matters, and I can say that she approached every situation with an open mind, a desire to learn and grow, and a compassionate understanding of the situation. She cares deeply about her team and has worked tirelessly to foster individual growth and development and cultivate a strong and positive team culture.”
Location: Center for Teaching Excellence
“Micah has been consistently contributing to the UF community, especially impacting the learning of our students, teaching assistants, and instructors through her leadership and initiatives. Her work has impacted the learning and career trajectory of thousands of learners at UF and fulfills the mission and vision of our university by providing excellent education at an affordable cost to the students.”
Location: University Police Department
“Very rarely do people acknowledge or give the accolades for the work that Santiago has continuously provided over the years. Without his commitment and services, our HSC campus would not have the reputation of making students feel safe and comfortable in this environment. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of students, faculty, staff and visitors is fundamentally important for helping the University achieve national rankings”
Location: College of Nursing
“Mrs. Sharon Milton–Simmons can easily be considered the backbone of this college. She started herein 2003 and carries over 20yrs of institutional knowledge. It’s hard to describe her role at the college because over this time, she has worn many hats and continuously takes on more.”
Location: College of Medicine
“I wholeheartedly endorse Sonya White for the Superior Accomplishment Award, as her accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary, much like the legendary Wonder Woman. She is an inspiration to us all, and her leadership is a beacon of hope and progress.”
Location: Health Affairs
“Mr. Kostewicz has excelled in his job duties from the beginning and is quick to take on additional responsibilities. He willingly goes ‘above and beyond’ his job description to meet whatever needs arise.”
Location: College of Medicine
“Not only does he work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every lecture, presentation, meeting or special event goes smoothly. He does so with a smile whether the activity occurs morning, noon, night, or weekend. Along with his technical expertise and work ethic, Mr. Poulton‘s personal attributes contributes to what makes him remarkable. He is a positive, cheerful, can-do person who will help anyone at any time without a hint of being imposed upon – ever.”
Team Collaboration
Location: UF Information Technology
Waldemar Sanchez | Tom Chesterfield | David Cotton | John Howard | Brad Soco | Robert Willis
“What makes this team special is the ability to lean on each other to ensure success. For example, if Brad is ensuring contractors have wire trays properly installed, Wally configures a switch in the telecommunication room, David is installing Access Points, while John is testing the blue light phone outside, and Tom is doing wireless surveys in the space. They have to work together from the conception of the floor plans of any space to ensure that our constituents have their IT requirements met.”
Location: Physical Security
Jeff Santerre | Winston Harris | Jamie Serrato | Dortha Albert | Will Collado
“This upgrade to enhance campus security – moving from an insecure magstripe-based door reader to an encrypted chipped card or mobile device – was essential for the University of Florida. The upgrade was also necessary for the adoption and use of the new GatorONE card chip card and mobile credential. The door reader upgrade and mobile credential project were closely intertwined and communication and collaboration between these two teams was essential.”
Location: Business Affairs
Robin Stewart | Jennifer Banfield | Jodi Chase | Jeff Cutaio | Hana McNeal | Neal Tupper
“From operational decisions to technical implementation, collaboration and communication were key to the success of this project. The team worked extremely hard and extremely well together to ensure a successful launch of the mobile ID project. The knowledge and teamwork exhibited by this group made this project successful and is an example of what can be accomplished when individuals work together for a common goal.”
Location: Reitz Union
Paul Jean | Chris English | David Tripp | Robert Smith | Stephen Simmons | Alvin Van Dyk
“The Reitz Union Maintenance Team‘s collaborative spirit, exceptional project management, and unwavering dedication to our institution have made a substantial and lasting impact. Their remarkable accomplishments, quick responses to emergencies, and sustainability efforts exemplify the qualities that the Superior Accomplishment Team Collaboration award seeks to honor.”
Location: Enrollment Management
Kristina Perez | Greg Pratt | David Miller
“I am immensely grateful for the Operations Support team’s contributions to the division last year. Their humble, service-oriented approach to supporting the division sets them apart. Their resourcefulness, clear communication, commitment to service, and results-driven mindset are exemplary. They embody all the qualities one would associate with a Superior Accomplishment Award recipient, including an unwavering dedication to excellence in all their endeavors, a commendable work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to exceed expectations consistently.”
Location: College of the Arts
Summer Brady | Jessica Ward
“In the face of what could have been a potentially turbulent rollout, Summer and Jessica distinguished themselves by tackling challenges head-on. Their proactive approach, coupled with a problem-solving mindset, allowed them to address issues swiftly and effectively. By navigating complexities with skill and ingenuity, they not only mitigated potential disruptions but also transformed obstacles into opportunities for improvement.”
Location: UF/IFAS
Nicole Walker | Kevin Camm | Jennifer Pelham | Julie Dillard | Diane Craig | Val Aldrnari
“In the last three years, this team, led by Extension agent Nicole Walker and comprised of Extension faculty from around the state and campus staff, (1) established itself as a complex yet effective TEAM, (2) developed regular and tailored communication with all Extension faculty involved in the review, (3) created tools and educational materials to help agents, specialists, and volunteers learn about and follow Civil Rights requirements, and (4) produced a central website and a Civil Rights plan currently under review by USDA. In doing so, the TEAM changed and improved practices used throughout Florida Extension for collecting Civil Rights data and contributing to’…and justice for all’.”
Location: Student Health Care Center
Laura Tipton | Patricia Tice | Donna Smith | Valerie Hoffer | Michelle Fields | Katherine Nessa
“Under the supervisor of pharmacy manager, Laura Tipton, this group worked together to move, organize medications, bags, labels, vials, lids, bottles, graduated cylinders, etc., all in a matter of 2 days. Due to all their hard work, the state inspector arrived on that Wednesday and awarded SHCC the new permits for both the community pharmacy and institutional pharmacy and opened for business at noon that day. This team worked well outside their job descriptions to accomplish this monumental task and I cannot say enough about their hard work and dedication to Student Health and the University of Florida.”
Location: College of Dentistry
Yohana Hernandez Clemente | Maria Davila de Gonzalez | Yunielvis Diaz Prats | Adriana Gaviria | Ricardo Mendoza
“Together, this team’s synergy is “electric.” They work together collaboratively and the sum of their work together is more than the individual efforts. This team is dedicated and hard-working, traveling long distances to provide health-promoting services to those most in need. In summary, the Dental Outreach Team in Collier County, part of the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science in the UF College of Dentistry, is uniquely suited to be a recipient of a UF Superior Accomplishment Award. They are one of UF’s very best, a gem in our Gator Nation.”
Location: College of Pharmacy
Mike Begonia | Pedro Martinez | Jonathan Tillet
“This team led by Mike Begonia includes Pedro Martinez and Jonathan Tillet. When I read the criteria for this award, I immediately thought of this team. It is rare to find the combination of expertise and service they exhibit every single day.”