Congratulations to our 2022 Staff Award Winners. The following individuals were selected by their peers amongst 66 nominations. In addition to a monetary gift, the winners are recognized at the Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon and receive a plaque to commemorate their achievements.
2022 Staff Award Winners
Acting with Ethics First Award
Terry Lee Grumley Bridges, Unit Director-Ethics and Compliance, Georgia Tech Research Institute
Nominators Noted: As Unit Director, Ethics and Compliance for GTRI, Terry Bridges truly understands the importance of ethical decision-making and building trust with her colleagues, making her the ideal candidate for the Institute’s initial Acting with Ethics First Award.
Denise Ocasio Thomas, Assistant Director-Retention Initiatives, OMED
Nominators Noted: In addition to systematically addressing factors of well-being that impact student persistence, Denise Thomas focuses on improving psychological safety for students and infusing DEI well-being initiatives into her job.
Stamps Health Services
Team Member Names
Ina Collins, Nursing Manager
Benjamin Royce Holton, MD, Senior Director
John W. Scuderi, Director, Health Systems
Theron Harold Stancil III, Assistant Director, Health Systems
Nina Lee Thoman, Pharmacy Manager
Nominators Noted: Ina Collins, Dr. Ben Holton, John Scuderi, Theron Stancil, and Nina Thoman created the largest vaccination effort within the USG institutions that gave 42,055 doses of vaccine to 20,662 employees, family members of the Georgia Tech community, and USG personnel.
Kevin M. Ellis, Aerospace Engineering, Assistant Director, Financial Operations
Nominators Noted: Because of Kevin Ellis’s communication and leadership ability, team members note they have an in-depth understanding of how their roles and responsibilities contribute to the goals of Aerospace Engineering and the overall Institute’s mission.
Samuel Evans III, Fleet Services Manager, Facilities- Motor Pool
Nominators Noted: Known for his inclusive spirit and can-do attitude, Sam Evans collaborates with his team to formulate the best solutions and challenges them to think big, whether it’s how they will impact the greater community or continue to better themselves professionally.
Leading by Example in Sustainability Award
Emma C. Brodzik, Campus Sustainability Project Manager, Facilities - Building and Equipment Maintenance
Nominators Noted: Managing waste and recycling is an essential need on campus and Emma Brodzik contributes by assisting the recycling crew with collecting hard-to-recycle materials, attending game days to interact with football fans, breaking down boxes, monitoring cardboard collection points during move-in weekends, and offering compost carts to sustainability-themed events.
Office of the Arts
Team Members
Justin Camp, Theater Production Assistant
Paul D. Cottongim, Theater Production Manager
Joe T. Davis, Stage Audio Tech
Ben A. Dostal, General Operations Manager
Dorcas Louise Ford-Jones, Administrative Professionally Senior
Elizabeth B. Geiger, Communications Officer I
Rachel C. Haage, Event Coordinator II
Almelida Rene Merriewether Baker, Patron and Events Assistant
Holley E. Mitchell, Box Office Coordinator
Twanesia Rucker, Box Office Assistant
Aaron David Shackelford, Director - Office of the Arts
Nominators Noted: At the height of the pandemic, staff members from the Office of the Arts recognized the need for safe, viable venue options for campus performing arts programs. Through their creative collaboration, the Skyline Series was born, creating an accessible outdoor venue equipped with a professional-level stage and outdoor “pod” seating atop a central, scenic parking lot.
One Small Step Award
Shandra R. Jones, Public Services Associate Lead, Library
Nominators Noted: Shandra Jones piloted a program to track those who were not complying with COVID policies and developed a Student Ambassador program to model good behavior amongst peers.
Laura Tyler Paige, Academic Advisor II, Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
Nominators Noted: Laura Paige continually seeks ways to improve the graduate student experience, evident in her efforts to streamline student administrative functions via DocuSign and the launch of the “Resilient Scientist” workshop.
ChBE Advising Team
Team Members
Adrienne Rice Hillman, Academic Advisor II
Allen Murkison, Academic Advising Manager
Ami B. Waller-Ivanecky, Academic Program Manager I
Nominators Noted: The Chemistry and Biochemistry Advising team exemplifies “Students are our top priority” in the way they continually engage with ChBE students and faculty to identify needs and issues and to develop ways to address these needs through continuous process improvement.
Rising Wreck Award
Samba Diop, Digital Learning Specialist Sr, Office of Information Technology
Nominators Noted: Samba Diop’s helpfulness, resourcefulness, and willingness to help all Jackets achieve success through remote instruction makes him the ideal Rising Wreck awardee.
Service to the Community Award
Richard A. Bedell, Electrical Engineer II, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nominators Noted: Richard Bedell is deserving of the Service to the Community Award based on his continued, exceptional service in support of the ongoing research and teaching missions of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, as well as his contributions to the development of portable respirators and plasma cleaners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sarah Strohmenger, Student Life Program Director, Student Engagement and Well-being
Nominators Noted: Sarah Strohmenger embodies the motto of “Progress and Service” through her continued advocacy for community service and the way she has provided opportunities for students to think differently about how they serve when emergencies arise.
Lauren B. Evans, Program and Operations Manager, Honors Program
Nominators Noted: Laura Evans’ contributions to our community can be seen in the way she advances and inspires the leadership growth of our Honors Program student leaders.
Robert William Hampson, Administrative Manager II, History and Sociology
Nominators Noted: Since his arrival in History and Sociology, Robert Hampson has thoroughly reorganized oversight of History and Sociology’s finances, reconciled and eliminated neglected accounts, and improved responsiveness to faculty requests.
Joshua E. Stewart, Media Relations Rep, Biomedical Engineering
Nominators Noted: Josh Stewart encapsulates Georgia Tech’s spirit and motto of progress and service with his steadfast dedication to faculty, staff, and students, his passion for inclusion at all levels, and his dependable work ethic.