Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award

Our first award goes to Jen Allen, who has served as a member of the VCU College of Engineering’s Engineering Drives Inclusive Excellence (EDIE) committee for the past two years. Through her work on this committee, Jen has pushed the boundaries of the DEI focus to include considerations of physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and the intersections that compound inequalities, including VCU's geographic advantage related to enrollment. Dr. Nathan Carter states, “Jen Allen merits VCU’s Champion for Diversity & Inclusion Award due to her steadfast dedication to reshape organizational accountability with an equity lens. Her consistent and passionate work in this field results in the expansion of belonging and socioeconomic opportunity for students often excluded from the cybersecurity field. I saw her work firsthand in this regard as a member of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Jen’s commitment goes beyond mere rhetoric or performative allyship. She demonstrates a remarkable ability to think critically, collaborate with others, and work together to create impactful DEI-based improvements to policy, procedures, and practices that yield tangible benefits.”

Thank you, Jen, for your dedication to diversity and inclusion at VCU!

Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award presented by Stephanie Hart

Benchmark for New Employee Award

Jamie Bittner serves the School of Education as both a data analytics specialist in the Office of Data Analytics and as a research assistant in the Office of Research and Faculty Development. Jamie’s nominator offers examples of praise from others, saying, Unilaterally, when Jamie’s name is mentioned in a conversation, it is quickly followed by “she is incredible”; “she is so smart”; “you are so lucky to have her on your team”; “she always has the best ideas”; ‘Jamie is so kind and so great to work with.” The accolades go on. The nomination packet doesn’t just offer accolades—it offers many concrete examples of the impact of her work and how it has helped the school of education. For example, one testimonial notes: Her efforts to support faculty during the grant submission process have contributed to a 61% increase in grant submissions awards for the current fiscal year. Clearly, Jamie Bittner is an exceptional staff member in the SOE and a deserving recipient of the Benchmark Award for a new employee. 

Benchmark for New Employee Award presented by Andrea Wight

Executive Award for Staff Advocacy

Nicole "Nikki" Carter is an advanced practice provider serving VCU Health as a lead nurse practitioner and she has the distinction of being described as “the glue holding Hospital Medicine together.”

Many of her colleagues have offered testimonials to her excellence. Here's a few:

Nikki oversees operations of the largest inpatient provider team, ... advocates for the well-being of the team, ... and champions advanced practice providers on an enterprise level.

Her advocacy to create a positive workplace culture extends beyond the Division of Hospital Medicine. She is know as the “Lead of Leads.” Her onboarding manual has become the template for APPs in several other divisions. She's also been instrumental in planning enterprise-wide APP recognition events during APP week and in creating an APP Recognition and Incentive Structure.

During to COVID-19 pandemic, Nikki relentlessly advocated for the health and safety of her team. From 2020- 2022, 100% of her direct reports remained with the organization.

Nikki, on behalf of Staff Senate ..... CONGRATULATIONS on such an outstanding honor.

Executive Award for Staff Advocacy presented by Ken Hudgins

Professional Integrity Award

Rebecca Collen is a part of the VCU School of Medicine Clinical Research Office. Her nominators note the impact of her acknowledgments and appreciation of the unique contributions of each team member, boosts morale and also exemplifies her respect for each individual's work and effort. She consistently demonstrates honesty in her interactions and decision-making processes, setting a standard for the team to follow. She is described as creating an environment where staff members feel safe acknowledging errors. Her focus on quality exemplifies her dedication to excellence. She leads by example, setting a high bar for performance and integrity, which encourages her team to strive for the same level of excellence. Rebecca’s actions consistently show an awareness of her role in contributing to the larger goals of the VCU School of Medicine, demonstrating how she embodies the true spirit of stewardship in her professional endeavors. 

Professional Integrity Award presented by Maya Rogers

Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award

Our second award goes to Camille Coy, who has been instrumental in developing and implementing important initiatives that foster a culture of openness, inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement at VCU. Her leadership of Enterprise Marketing and Communication’s Council on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture (COEDI+C) empowers colleagues to address systemic issues within the division and implement employee-driven solutions. As director of strategic initiatives, Camille prioritizes the collection of data through colleague interviews and culture surveys and then aggregates that data to inform the operations of the division. These efforts have done much to further employee satisfaction and inclusion and are crucial to the division’s morale. Her colleagues share that Camille had demonstrated her commitment through action and not just beliefs and that she is an outstanding example of how a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion can be shown not just in big initiatives and actions but in the everyday way that you communicate with the people around you. 

Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award presented by Stephanie Hart

Exceptional Customer Service Award

Michele Howell, you were not just nominated but chosen because of your dedication and hard work in representing the university as a whole. She is responsible for coordinating and responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in accordance with state law. Michele is highly responsive, organized and always willing to talk through detailed requests with staff members, community members, or even media representatives. This position requires someone who is both responsible for the university's transparency with the community and for ensuring that protected information is not released. Michelle is consistent with her level of professionalism responsiveness while using her knowledge and skills to perform each task, whether complex or not, with ease. She has an eye for detail and is able to explain the legal requirements and all the nuances entailed to still meet the tight deadlines. Her dedication, timeliness, and thoroughness shows as she deals with the intricacies of state and federal obligations. Michele is responsible for one of the most important aspects of media relations: providing public records in a timely manner. Her time, effort, and energy go into making sure these requests are handled appropriately. Thank you, Michelle, for all that you do representing all of VCU & VCU Health.

Exceptional Customer Service Award presented by Priscilla Clayborne

Benchmark for New Employee Award

Emily Humberson is an administrative coordinator for the Department of gender, sexuality, and women’s Studies. Her nominators note that Emily is the department’s sole staff member who works tirelessly to understand and meet the needs of our students and faculty. Her accomplishments in her short time at VCU are not only numerous but impactful. In her work with students, Emily excels in welcoming, engaging, and supporting our students. She creates a caring and supportive community that feels like home for every student. Integrity is a core value for Emily. She is a model for how all of us at VCU should treat each other. A true leader in our department, she follows up on all her commitments and is trustworthy in managing confidential and sensitive information. Finally, she brings positive energy, a warm sense of humor, and a collaborative spirit to all of her work. A selfless and supportive leader, she exemplifies the kind of dedication and caring nature that we prize at VCU. 

Benchmark for New Employee Award presented by Andrea Wight

Exceptional Customer Service Award

Charlean Jefferson, you were nominated and chosen because you chose to go beyond the normal aspects of your work day. You are willing to problem solve while remaining flexible and resourceful in assisting the patients. Although the patients face many access barriers, you eagerly go the extra mile by giving directions, assisting with insurance issues and then arranging transportation so they can attend their appointments. Working with Medicaid transportation is a feat to conquer by itself. Oh, it doesn’t stop there. If they are unable to make the appointment, you will arrange a telehealth visit if possible and/or assist them in navigating the technology challenges to make another appointment. She is an answer-finder- you may ask a complex question that she doesn’t know, but that doesn’t stop her. She seeks out those who can assist, even her supervisor, so she can present the proper answer instead of leaving it as “I don’t know”. In all this gathering and problem solving she does this with such ease, being friendly and unflappable; never making the patients, staff or providers feel that they are a burden in any way. She just does what is needed to help in a friendly, compassionate manner. She is a true asset to our organization. Now, that is showing exceptional customer service.

Exceptional Customer Service Award presented by Priscilla Clayborne

Guiding Star Award for Career Achievement

Sharon Lee has been an outstanding star since the beginning of her career. She has worked for the VCU School of Pharmacy Medicinal Chemistry for over 25 years. She has been one of our most valuable and indispensable secretaries and employees I have associated and worked with. She performs her duties with the highest standard, dedication, and high energy that is beyond the call of duty. She exemplifies the light that the VCU community must follow to continue to be 'Uncommonly One'.” She is highly regarded for her intellect and maintains a hard working attitude in her field of work. She filled in gaps and trained oncoming positions in the administration of the department in jobs that were higher than her pay grade with grace and efficiency. She always goes above and beyond to assist, she is well organized and efficient in all that she does. 

Guiding Star Award for Career Achievement presented by Amanda Simmons

Professional Integrity Award 

Mia Liadis is a part of the VCU Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell). Her nominators note her amazing ability to build relationships and bridges to amplify critical messages related to student well-being. She remains true to her values and always spends the necessary time preparing so that our students can have a truly transformative experience. Mia is described as a born advocate that does not hesitate to share honest feedback in a way that is diplomatic and kind. Praise is given to her for the time she spends earning additional certifications and attending training, not for recognition or accolades, but to know that she is personally operating in a way that is grounded in evidence and best practice. What is respected and appreciated most about Mia is that she will not sacrifice program quality no matter how stretched the team may be. This is where her integrity really shines through. 

Professional Integrity Award presented by Maya Rogers

Guiding Star Award for Career Achievement

Alma Morgan is a fundamental and vital member of our Psychosocial Clinical Care Team and a legend not only at CHoR but across Virginia. She is an exemplar of an educator, mentor, colleague, and leader. She has over 40-years of experience providing educational services to pediatric and young adult patients with cancer, blood diseases, and other chronic illnesses. Despite her 40-years of service, she has not slowed down and has many more ideas for all of us on how we can most definitely make pediatric patients lives better.  Alma is a fundamental part of our program success and an influential enigma of positive energy, commitment, and strength. Alma demonstrates a gentle, passionate demeanor and exemplifies dedication, commitment, and passion for serving pediatric patients with chronic illness to ensure that they can thrive and succeed in all endeavors. In an Alma Morgan world, anything and everything is possible if you have just enough passion, energy, and drive to achieve.

Guiding Star Award for Career Achievement presented by Amanda Simmons

Executive Award for Staff Advocacy

Samara Reynolds serves VCU as Director of Career Services. Samara's nomination contained some pretty impressive comments. The highlights being, and I'll quote a few:

Samara is hyper-focused on ensuring her team has professional development plans – and through her leadership and mentorship, she strives to help staff realize their professional goals.

Samara has talent for seeing potential in people that they don't or can't see in themselves. Her encouraging and supportive manner has led people to take on new roles, earn promotions, and step into leadership with professional associations or in new spaces.

Samara has maximized the power of “working titles” to help staff develop into new positions that have deep meaning for them – dispite our “back end” classifications – which helps staff feel seen, heard, appreciated, and welcomed (as thus retained).

With that said ................... CONGRATULATIONS! For all that you do in making VCU the great place it is!

Executive Award for Staff Advocacy presented by Ken Hudgins

Honorary Executive Award for Staff Advocacy

Thank you so much, Ken, for presenting the staff advocacy award. And we are not quite done with this award. We have one more presentation to make, and it is for you. You may not be serving on our committee anymore, but your presence is always felt. While we may dwell on the timelines and technicalities of putting all of this together, it is never lost on us that you created a legacy that, at its core, is all about staff advocacy. You recognized that VCU and VCU Health staff members are the heart of this organization and that we should be recognized for our contributions. And with your big heart, your empathy, and your advocacy, you made that recognition possible. As your last term on the VCU staff senate is coming to an end, we could not in good conscience let you get away without fully recognizing all that you have given to this body. With that, we present you with an honorary executive award for staff advocacy. Please join us in a round of applause in thanking Ken for all that he has done.

Honorary Executive Award for Staff Advocacy presented by Stephanie Hart