The UMass Amherst College of Engineering is pleased to recognize the excellence and ongoing contributions of its dedicated staff.
Each staff award will include $500 and a plaque, with recognition at the annual faculty & staff award celebration in May.
Two awards are offered:
The submission window will be January 15 to March 15. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations.
Dean's Outstanding Student Support Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize a staff member for significant contributions that enrich the student experience and/or have a positive impact on student development in the College of Engineering.
Significant contributions are viewed as special efforts, beyond the norm, that enhance the well-being and opportunities of students in our engineering community.
This includes, but is not limited to, creatively or resourcefully implementing or enhancing existing programs, activities and/or services that:
- Further student learning
- Promote leadership skills, professional development, and/or the ability to innovate
- Foster an environment of inclusivity
- Provide guidance, mentorship, and advocacy
- Encourage hands-on learning and student projects, including lab support
- Help students navigate difficult experiences
- Inspire the students they serve
- Build strong partnerships across the university in support of student success
Candidates should have performed in a manner that exceeds the normal expectation for a staff member and display enthusiasm toward their responsibilities.
Nomination process: Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations. Nomination package should consist of a letter (maximum 2 pages) addressed to the Dean of Engineering expressing the significant contributions made by the nominee. Up to three supporting letters or comments may also be provided. At least one supporting letter (or the nominator) must be a current engineering student. The nomination package should be submitted to Linda Goldstein.
Selection: A group of students, appointed by departments, will complete an initial review of all nominations and then a committee of past dean staff award recipients will make the final recommendations to the Dean of Engineering as a part of a two-step process. The dean will select the final recipient.
Eligibility: All staff in the College of Engineering departments and offices, including lab technicians and program coordinators, are eligible with a few exceptions.
The following are not eligible:
- Current staff award committee members
- Staff who have received a staff recognition award in the last five years (Note: this award is new for 2021)
- Staff who have not completed two consecutive years of service in the College of Engineering
- Faculty members, including lecturers and staff that hold faculty status
- Group nominations; awards are given to individuals only
Dean’s Outstanding Service Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward outstanding service by a staff member to a department and/or to the College of Engineering.
Outstanding service is viewed as a special effort, beyond the norm, that significantly improves the overall College of Engineering operations, environment and experience.
Examples of going beyond the norm include, but are not limited to:
- Innovating an effective solution to improve a process or solve a difficult problem
- Taking the lead to implement a new idea, project, program or service
- Mentoring, inspiring, supporting or motivating others to achieve results or overcome obstacles in support of college goals.
Expected characteristics include, but are not limited to:
- Positive attitude and teamwork;
- Initiative, quality of work, and excellence in performing core job requirements
- Self-motivation, going over and above with a high degree of excellence
Nomination process:
Nominations should consist of a letter (maximum 2 pages) addressed to the Dean of Engineering expressing the significant contributions made by the nominee. Up to three supporting letters or comments may also be provided. The nomination package must be submitted to Linda Goldstein.
Selection: Dean will select recipient in consultation with a committee comprised of previous dean staff award recipients.
The following are not eligible:
- Current staff award committee members
- Staff who have received a staff recognition award in the last five years
- Staff who have not completed two consecutive years of service in the College of Engineering
- Faculty members, including lecturers and staff that hold faculty status
- Group nominations; awards are given to individuals only
Past Award Recipients
Dean's Service Award
2020 Amity Lee
2019 Barbara Hastings
2018 Kim Renier
2017 Tami Paluca
2016 Sherrie Webb-Yagodzinski
2015 Sally Darby
2014 Joseph Smith
2013 Jennifer Blake
2012 Sandra Gross & Pam Rivest
2011 Shana Passonno
2010 Francis Caron
2009 Jodi Ozdarski
2008 Scott E. Reed
2007 Keith P. Shimeld
2006 Cheryl Brooks & Rick Winn
2005 Patricia Alex
2004 Dorothy Adams
2003 Jane Martel
2002 Frances Corgnati
2001 Lorraine Robidoux & Jennifer Suglia
2000 Patricia Zuzgo
1999 Maryann Sadoski
1998 Linda Klemyk
1997 Alan Rakouskas
1996 Miles Eastman
1995 Frank Duda
1994 Donald Scott
1993 Jane Stein
1992 Andrew Casiello
1991 Isabelle Graves
1990 Daniel Blanchard & Kathleen Rubin
1989 Arnold Glazier
1988 Reynolds Winslow
