UNCG recognizes Spartan staff with excellence awards

Posted on May 18, 2021

Photo of Minerva with flowers

Spartan staff are known to always go the extra mile. But throw a pandemic into the mix, and we have witnessed our staff go above and beyond. During an incredibly challenging year of shutting down and then slowly reopening in-person teaching, learning, and hosting of campus events, all while working hard to keep up with ever-changing safety protocols, Spartan staff have led the way in not only keeping our University running and our Spartan community safe, but doing everything they can to see our students through graduation – including a very successful in-person Commencement for 2021 and 2020 graduates.

This week, UNC Greensboro celebrates the achievements and dedication of Spartan staff with the Gladys Strawn Bullard and University-wide Staff Excellence Awards, and other unit awards around campus.

Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr., delivered this special staff appreciation video to mark the occasion.


Each spring, the University bestows the Gladys Strawn Bullard and University Staff Excellence Awards to our outstanding staff. Learn about this year’s winners below.

Julia Jackson-Newsom

Gladys Strawn Bullard Award
Julia Jackson-Newsom, Office of the Chancellor

Julia Jackson-Newsom is this year’s staff recipient of the Gladys Strawn Bullard Award, which is given to those who show commendable initiative and perseverance in their leadership and service roles, including those who quietly guide “the few”, as well as those who are more conspicuous and develop creative ideas and programs that advance the University, and whose contributions have significantly promoted the purposes of the University to provide an environment which encourages and nurtures the development of people.

Jackson-Newsom is the associate vice chancellor for strategy and policy. She came to UNCG in 2007, serving as the director of research in the School of Education until 2011, when she transitioned to supporting research campus-wide by working with Vice Chancellor Terri Shelton. In 2015, she began working in the Office of the Chancellor. Jackson-Newsom’s current portfolio includes providing leadership for strategic planning, compliance, and external affairs. Over the last year, she has led the effort on crafting University strategy, policy, and messaging related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“John Maxwell, a notable leadership author writes, ‘In a crisis, real leaders rise and become visible.’ Julia did just that. She rose up, has been visible, and led UNCG through one of the most challenging and historic events of our lifetime. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Julia did not hesitate in the least to step up and guide our University through these difficult times. As her ‘partner in crime’ throughout the COVID-19 response, I have truly appreciated Julia’s dedication to the University and her level of commitment to the safety and welfare of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Having served in the trenches of this pandemic with Julia for over a year, I cannot think of a single person who is more deserving of this award than she is.” – Zach Smith, Director, Office of Emergency Management

University Staff Excellence Awards

This award recognizes Spartan staff who show outstanding devotion to duty, innovation in their work, and who have made significant service contributions to the University. The award seeks to honor our staff who support academic excellence and exemplify Spartan achievement in pursuit of UNCG’s vision to be an inclusive, collaborative, and responsive institution, making a difference in the lives of the students and communities it serves. Following are our two Spartan staff who received this honor.

Michael Scotto

Michael Scotto, School of Health & Human Sciences

Michael Scotto is the facilities communications manager for the School of Health and Human Sciences. He is responsible for all HHS facilities and building spaces including the coordination of renovation, technology, and safety. He coordinates HHS events and and manages special projects for the school.

“Michael’s dedication to his job and employer is a rare asset. He will help with literally anything that is asked of him, regardless of whether or not it’s in his job description: AV conferencing equipment assistance, video editing, t-shirt orders, procuring marshal sashes and a gonfalon for Commencement (he also taught all of us what a gonfalon is!), and HHS golf cart maintenance; ordering defibrillators, keys, phones, paint, and furniture; dealing with bugs and bats; and the list goes on. And when you come to Michael with one of these obscure requests – usually something that is disrupting your work or space in one way or another – you never get the sense you’re disrupting him. He handles it with utmost professionalism. Michael is truly one of the most attentive and helpful colleagues.” – Assistant Dean for Projects and Programs Larissa K. Witmer

Logan Stanfield

Logan Stanfield, International Programs

Logan Stanfield is a coordinator of study abroad and exchange programs at UNCG’s International Programs Center (IPC). A UNCG graduate (’07 B.A. Economics), Logan studied abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2006, and also spent an unforgettable summer teaching English to elementary students in Guangzhou, China. Having served in a variety of IPC roles since 2008, he presently works as a regional advisor for UNCG’s programs in the East Asia and Pacific regions.

“Anyone who knows Logan will comment about his outgoing and gregarious personality. His humor and wit are like no other. He constantly inquires about the well-being of others and takes strong interest in their challenges and successes. He has a passion for UNCG and the students he serves. He is selfless in the work he does and is always looking out for others. He genuinely cares about the students he works with and celebrates their successes like they were his own. Logan embodies the spirit of the Staff Excellence Award to provide and enhance an environment which encourages and nurtures the development of people.” –  IPC Associate Director Tom Martinek

Media Studies Professor Michael Frierson and his students produced this video for the staff award recipients.


Awards Across Campus

In addition to the awards shared above, there are numerous special recognitions given to our outstanding Spartan staff across campus. Following is a summary of those honorable mentions.

College of Arts & Sciences

Staff Excellence Award
Richard Cheek
Estela Ratliff
Laurie O’Neil

UNCG Police

Employee of the Year Award
Brandon Mercer

Officer of the Year Award
Braxton Hiatt

Supervisor of the Year Award
William Holland

Life Saving Award
Chris Powell
Joseph Whitaker
Kyle Szuts
Cooper Fann
Zachary Lynch

Marksmanship Award
Anthony Fincher
Taylor Trantham

Join us for Staff Recognition events this week

Wednesday, May 19, 11:30 a.m to 2 p.m.
Stamey’s BBQ sandwiches and coleslaw along with vegetarian options, chips and cookies will be provided for free behind the Alumni House in the lower level terrace and Taylor Garden area. 

Friday, May 21, 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
Spartan staff can drop by the UNCG Bookstore for a free grande drip coffee and a 20% discount on Bookstore merchandise with their Spartan I.D.

School of Health & Human Sciences

Outstanding Staff Award
Michael Scotto

Division of Student Success

Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award
Chris Gregory

Advising Excellence Award
Sidney Stretz

New Student Transitions & First Year Experience

The Expert FYE Instructor Award
Robert Barker

Athletics

Spartan Legacy Award
Jane Long

Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering

Staff Excellence Award
Nancy Brown

Bryan School of Business & Economics

Hidden Hero Award
Emily Christiansen

Spirit of the Spartan Award
Sara Pilling
Ashley Goble

University Libraries

University Libraries Martha Ransley Staff Service Award
Patrick Dollar

University Libraries Staff Excellence Award
Anne Owens

University Libraries Staff Equity-Diversity-Inclusion Award
Chanda Jackson

Student Affairs

Unsung Hero
Carol Bell

Graduate Assistant Of the Year Award
Caroline Forrest
Amberlina Alston

Team Player Award
Jolie Helton

Rookie of the Year Award
Katelyn Bodwell

Partnership Award
Emily Wiersma

Culture of Care Award
Colleen Burford

Diversity & Inclusion Award
Megan Karbley

Legacy of Excellence
Michelle Parson

Excellence in Assessment
Paul Lentz

College of Visual & Performing Arts

Staff Excellence Award
Amy Masters

Staff Stars Awards

Angie Adams, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Shannon Barr, Student First Office
Alyssa Bedrosian, University Communications
Leah Bianco, Student First Office
Heather Bishop, The Graduate School
Jennifer Boggs, School of Nursing
Stephen Borchik, Athletics
Rachel Carpenter, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Kyle Cayton, POCAM
Maggie Chrismon, Space Utilization and Planning
Preston Clark, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Michael Clinton, Career & Professional Development
Amy Cook, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Rashaun DeBerry, Student Health Services
Whitney DeBerry, Student Health Services
Thein Doan, Office of Research and Engagement
Amanda Everhart, Business and Economics Student Services
Cooper Fann, UNC-Greensboro Police Department
Sean Farrell, Human Resources
Anthony Fincher, UNCG Police Department
Brianna Graham, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Marvin Green, Housekeeping Facility Service
Jennifer Hamilton, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Brenda Hedricks, Human Resources
Heather Hensley, Student Health Services
Braxton Hiatt, UNCG Police Department
Andrew Hollady, Chemistry and Biochemistry
William Holland, UNCG Police Department
Donna Huff, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Joanne Jones, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Alex Mabe, UNCG Police Department
Sherry Madden, Housekeeping Facility Service
Jeff Manter, Facilities Design and Construction
Austin McKim, New Student Transitions & First year Experiences
Brandon Mercer, UNCG Police Department
Ryan Milligan, CTPE/Beyond Academics
Todd Mitchell, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Carol Nie, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Lance Parker, POCAM
Benjamin Peterson, UTLC
Christopher Powell, UNCG Police Department
Delana Reinard, Facilities Design and Construction
Ross Rick, Facility Services
Allysa Robinson, Facility Services
Cristian Rodriquez, Facilities Operations
Denise Rowe , Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Chris Russell , Financial Planning & Budgets
Dana Saunders, Student First Office
Leigh Anne Snead, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts
Heather Snelling, Office of the Controller/Accounting & Fixed Assets
David Starnes, Office of Research and Engagement
Robert Swanson, Facilities Operations
Becky Symoungphone, POCAM
Kyle Szuts, UNCG Police Department
Molly Taylor, Graduate School
Taylor Trantham, UNCG Police Department
Edmond Welborn, Housekeeping Facility Service
Joseph Whitaker, UNCG Police Department
James V. White, Building and Trades
Harvey Williams, POCAM
Heather Wolford, Office of the Controller/Cashiers & Student Accounts

External Awards

Triad Business Journal ‘40 under 40s’
Veronica Sills
Jeff Whitworth
Zach Smith
Yubi Aranda Sandoval

Triad Business Journal ‘20 in their 20s’
Michael Clinton

Story assembled by Matthew Bryant, University Communications
Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications
Videography by Grant Gillard, University Communications

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