Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Recipients of UAA Staff Recognition Awards
What you’ll find here: Debbie McGhee Award for Excellence // Leadership Awards // Distinguished Partner Award // Retired awards
Note: The recognition awards were paused in 2022 to focus on the 2021 recipients who were awarded during the height of the pandemic and on the contributions of all UAA staff during that time.
Debbie McGhee Award for Excellence
The Debbie McGhee Award for Excellence is presented to a current UAA staff member who has substantially advanced our mission to be a “catalyst and advocate for excellence and innovation” and who fully embodies our values: collaboration, compassion, curiosity, equity, integrity and transformative learning. This award represents the highest accolade we bestow upon one another as we celebrate those who lead the way for all of us to continuously strive to do our best work and be our best selves.
In 2019, the Award for Excellence was renamed to honor the memory of Debbie McGhee, a beloved colleague who passed away between the time she was nominated for the award and the event at which it was awarded to her, posthumously, in June of 2019. Read more about Debbie here.
| NAME | YEAR | DEPARTMENT |
| Meghan Coletta | 2024 | First Year Programs |
| Robin Chang | 2023 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards |
| Lioudmila Kourenina | 2023 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| No award given | 2022 | |
| Henry Lui | 2021 | Information Technology |
| Pam Robenolt | 2021 | Student-Athlete Academic Services |
| Jennifer Stock | 2021 | Student Academic Services |
| Francesca Lo | 2020 | Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center |
| Debbie McGhee | 2019 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Lisa Bruce | 2018 | Student-Athlete Academic Services |
| Josh Gibbs | 2018 | Information Technology |
| Aley Mills Willis | 2017 | Honors Program |
| Kathryn Pursch Cornforth | 2017 | Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center |
| Josh Lin | 2016 | Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity |
| Deborah Smith | 2015 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Mona Pitre-Collins | 2015 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowship & Awards |
| Rachel Vaughn | 2014 | Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center |
| Maren Halvorsen | 2014 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Sharon Minton | 2013 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Tracy Nyerges | 2013 | Undergraduate Research Program |
| Kirsten Atik | 2012 | Dean’s Office |
| Michaelann Jundt | 2011 | Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center |
| Nana Lowell | 2011 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Jodene Davis | 2010 | Mary Gates Endowment for Students |
| Kay Balston | 2010 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Jennifer Harris | 2009 | Undergraduate Research Program |
| Brook Kelly | 2009 | Honors Program |
| Joanna Loss | 2008 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Ray Carlsen | 2008 | Classroom Support Services |
| Janice DeCosmo | 2007 | Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity |
| Juliana Villegas | 2007 | Honors Program |
| Beret Kischner | 2006 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Ellen Mosolf | 2006 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Miriam Goldstein | 2006 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Christine Stickler | 2005 | Pipeline Project |
| Jason Johnson | 2004 | First Year Programs |
| Janet Kime | 2004 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Cathy Beyer | 2003 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Donald Zongker | 2003 | Classroom Support Services |
| Ken Etzkorn | 2002 | Dean’s Office |
| Dick Newcomb | 2001 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Jerry Gillmore | 2001 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Ran Hennes | 2001 | Honors Program |
| Dick Simkins | 2000 | Undergraduate Advising Center |
| Pat Wrobel | 1999 | Dean’s Office |
| Patrick Roberts | 1999 | Classroom Support Services |
Leadership Awards
The Leadership Awards were inaugurated in 2020. They are presented to UAA staff who have exemplified UAA values within the past year. Eligible employees include part-time, temporary, student staff and interns as well as teams. Any nominations that demonstrate how a staff member or team has embodied and modeled a specific UAA value in their work will be recognized.
| NAME | VALUE(s) | YEAR | DEPARTMENT or TEAM |
| Julie Berry | Collaboration | 2021 | First Year Programs |
| Alli Botelho | Collaboration / Curiosity | 2021 | Academic Support Programs |
| Jeremy Caci | Collaboration | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Mariana Castaneda | Collaboration | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Raquel Chavez | Transformative learning | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Annabel Cholico | Collaboration | 2021 | Mary Gates Endowment for Students |
| Meghan Coletta | Transformative learning | 2021 | First Year Programs |
| Angela Davis-Unger | Collaboration | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Joyce Diaz | Equity | 2021 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Kathryn Grubbs | Equity | 2021 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Kayla Huddleston | Collaboration | 2021 | Community Engagement & Leadership Education Center |
| Trang Hoang | Transformative learning | 2021 | Community Engagement & Leadership Education Center |
| Luda Kourenina | Integrity | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Jana Lamon | Equity | 2021 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Allison Lilley | Compassion / Collaboration | 2021 | Office of the Dean |
| Eric Lopez | Collaboration | 2021 | Dream Project |
| Adanech Makey | Transformative learning | 2021 | Community Engagement & Leadership Education Center |
| Jon Monteith | Collaboration | 2021 | Resilience Lab |
| Luisa Moreno | Collaboration | 2021 | Riverways Education Partnerships |
| Jillian Morn | Curiosity | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Michelle Mvundura | Compassion | 2021 | Resilience Lab |
| LizAnne Ngo | Collaboration | 2021 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Richard Parra | Equity | 2021 | Riverways Education Partnerships |
| Rosa Ramirez | Collaboration | 2021 | |
| Saralyn Santos | Transformative learning | 2021 | Riverways Education Partnerships |
| Sala Sataraka | Integrity | 2021 | Jumpstart |
| Emily Smith | Transformative learning | 2021 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards |
| Joslin Boroughs, Ryan Burt, Dan Feetham, Carlos Guillen, Kyla Mayer, Rosa Ramirez, Eric Sortun, Martha Tran, LeAnne Wiles | Integrity | 2021 | Student Academic Services Leadership Team |
| Jessica Hunnicutt Batten, Kathryn Pursch Cornforth, Francesca Lo, Christine Stickler | Transformative learning | 2021 | CELE Directors |
| Daniel Barkley | Collaboration | 2020 | First Year Programs |
| Jessica Hunnicutt Batten | Equity | 2020 | Dream Project |
| Jenelle Birnbaum | Collaboration | 2020 | Office of the Dean |
| Sarah Bishop | Collaboration | 2020 | Pipeline Project |
| Anna Bloch | Curiosity | 2020 | Office of the Dean |
| Nesley Bravo | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Dream Project |
| Kelly Chapman | Collaboration | 2020 | Honors Program |
| Kathryn Pursch Cornforth | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Community Engaged Learning Courses
Undergraduate Community Based Internships |
| Jodene Davis | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Office of the Dean |
| Meghan Gescher | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center |
| Claire Grant | Collaboration | 2020 | Honors Program |
| Carlos Guillen | Curiosity | 2020 | First Year Programs |
| Kathryn Higgins | Equity | 2020 | Robinson Center for Young Scholars |
| Sylvie Lapointe | Collaboration | 2020 | Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center
Office of Educational Assessment |
| Allie Lilley | Curiosity | 2020 | Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity
Office of the Dean |
| Eric Lopez | Compassion | 2020 | Dream Project |
| Selam Misgano | Collaboration | 2020 | Othello-UW Commons |
| Andrew (Andy) Pace | Compassion | 2020 | Dream Project |
| Donna Pham | Curiosity | 2020 | Community Engaged Learning Courses |
| Rosa E. Ramirez | Compassion and Equity | 2020 | Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center
Student Academic Services |
| Meghan Robinson | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Jumpstart |
| Sala Lina Sataraka | Compassion and Equity | 2020 | Jumpstart |
| Caroline Shelton | Collaboration | 2020 | Office for Youth Programs Development and Support |
| Danielle Greiner Shenk | Collaboration | 2020 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Christine stickler | Integrity | 2020 | Pipeline Project |
| Micah Trapp | Collaboration | 2020 | Office of the Dean |
| Katie Wallace | Curiosity and Integrity | 2020 | Undergraduate Community Based Internships |
| Josh Gibbs and Henry Lui | Compassion | 2020 | UAA IT Team |
| Jeamel Alday, Juandalyn Burke, Jennifer Harris, Qanani Khalil, Faith Nyakundi, Daisy Parra-Padilla and Jessica E. Salvador | Transformative Learning | 2020 | Undergraduate Research Symposium Team |
Distinguished Partner Award
The Distinguished Partner Award recognizes a colleague, program or department whose collaborations with Undergraduate Academic Affairs have made significant advances in the University of Washington’s undergraduate academic experience. These collaborations enhance, enrich and deepen the undergraduate experience. The reciprocity of these relationships benefits undergraduates and the broader campus community.
| DEPARTMENT OR NAME | YEAR |
| The Office of the University Registrar and Enrollment Information Services | 2020 |
| Mary Gates Hall Custodial Team: Desidero De Castro, Maria Devaney, Joe Lo, Zenaida Pagdilao, Emebet Sefara, Cassk Thomas, Robert Thompson, Seare Zerom | 2019 |
| Leilani Lewis and Jeanette James | 2018 |
| Office of Regional & Community Relations | 2018 |
| University of Washington Police Department | 2017 |
| wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ–Intellectual House | 2016 |
| Student-Athlete Academic Services | 2015 |
| Division of Student Life | 2014 |
| Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity | 2013 |
| The Graduate School | 2012 |
Retired awards
Ourstanding Achievement Award 1999-2019
The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented from 1999–2019 to individuals or teams who made outstanding contributions to Undergraduate Academic Affairs. The award honors a particular accomplishment, project or contribution made during the previous three years.
| NAME(S) | YEAR | DEPARTMENT or TEAM |
| Carissa Mayer | 2019 | Honors Program |
| Emily Smith | 2019 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards |
| Raquel Chavez, Luda Kourenina, Trevor Leffler, Joanna Loss and Debbie McGhee | 2018 | IASystem Team, Office of Educational Assessment |
| Nermine Botros, Kelly Chapman, Sylvie Lapointe, Kim Lee, Chloe Mahar, Christine Muongchanh, Nanette Rosenthal, Iryna Schmidt and Enzhong (Mark) Wu | 2018 | UAA Workday Transition Team |
| Ali Albrecht | 2017 | First Year Programs |
| Carey Christie | 2017 | Honors Program |
| Brook Kelly & Ryan Luk | 2016 | Honors Program |
| Donna Sharp, Donna Netz, Christina Kerr, Dan Poux, Joslin Boroughs, and Leslie Ikeda | 2016 | UAA Advising Transfer Team |
| Anne Browining | 2015 | Academic Support Programs |
| Kathryn Pursch Cornforth & David Hlebein | 2014 | Carlson Center’s service-learning team |
| Ryan Hursh | 2013 | Classroom Support Services |
| Wendy Durant | 2012 | Honors Program |
| Rod Davis | 2011 | Classroom Support Services |
| Laura Harrington | 2011 | Honors Program |
| Robin Chang | 2010 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowship and Awards |
| Ryan Luk | 2010 | Honors Program |
| Tim Batzel & Eric Barnum | 2009 | Classroom Support Services |
| Aley Willis | 2008 | Honors Program |
| Jennifer Stock | 2008 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Peg Cheng | 2008 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Brad Bell | 2007 | Classroom Support Services |
| Francesca Lo | 2007 | Pipeline Project |
| Kirsten Atik, Jodene Davis, Aly Vander Stoep | 2007 | Mary Gates Endowment 10-year Anniversary Team |
| Michelle Hall | 2006 | Program on the Environment |
| David Aldrich, Brad Bell, Tim Batzel IT team | 2006 | Classroom Support Services |
| Cynthia Caci | 2005 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Linda Kemnitzer & Patrick Roberts | 2005 | Classroom Support Services |
| Jason Boyd | 2004 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Terry Rustan | 2004 | Program on the Environment |
| Thomas Dicken | 2004 | Classroom Support Services |
| Beret Kischner | 2003 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Mona Pitre-Collins | 2003 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowship and Awards |
| Nichole Fazio | 2003 | Undergraduate Research Program & Scholarship Office |
| Alyson Boyd | 2002 | Classroom Support Services |
| Jeanne Bayer | 2002 | Honors Program |
| Jennifer Dow | 2001 | Dean’s Office |
| Roberta Hopkins | 2001 | Classroom Support Services |
| Michelle Hutchinson | 2000 | Dean’s Office |
| Nancy Hines | 2000 | Classroom Support Services |
| Carole Hsiao | 1999 | Dean’s Office |
| Meg Estep | 1999 | New Student Programs/First Year Programs |
Outstanding Student Employee Award 1999-2019
The Outstanding Student Employee Award was presented from 1999–2019 to UAA student employees who made outstanding contributions to Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Student staff members are highly valued and absolutely critical to advancing UAA’s mission.
Student staff are eligible, along with other UAA staff members, for the Leadership Awards beginning in 2020.
| NAME | YEAR | DEPARTMENT |
| Salem Abraha | 2019 | Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity, Mary Gates Endowment for Students |
| Danya Clevenger | 2019 | Carlson Center |
| Makayla Dorn | 2019 | Student Academic Services, Undergraduate Advising |
| Annie Lewis | 2018 | Undergraduate Advising & Academic Support Programs |
| Ann Margaret Stompro | 2018 | Pipeline Project |
| Chungeun (Chloe) Lee | 2017 | Robinson Center |
| Bryan Nakata | 2017 | Dean’s Office |
| Sera Wang & Julie Loh | 2016 | CLUE front desk managers |
| Mitchell Harper | 2015 | Dream Project |
| Juliana Borges & Malika Garoui | 2015 | Undergraduate Advising: Senior Peer Advising Team |
| Noopur Gupta | 2014 | Dream Project |
| Brett Jaspers | 2014 | Undergraduate Advising |
| Janelle White | 2013 | Honors |
| Devan Berkley | 2013 | First Year Programs |
| Tuyen Nguyen | 2012 | Honors Program |
| Rebecca Anderson & Matt Plotkin | 2012 | Classroom Support Services |
| Martha Chan | 2011 | First Year Programs |
| Jamie Lee | 2011 | Carlson Center |
| Mikki Kressbach | 2010 | Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards |
| Bayle Conrad & Marlee Mukai | 2010 | Student Technology Fee leads |
| Jacob Caylor | 2010 | Honors Program |
| Matt Dela Cruz | 2009 | Gateway Center |
| Laura Harrington | 2009 | Honors Program |
| Gavin Campbell | 2009 | Robinson Center |
| Claire Fraczek | 2009 | Pipeline Project |
| Michelle Burce | 2008 | Honors Program |
| Jill Salo & Dave Nutting | 2008 | Classroom Support Services |
| Jessica Salvador | 2008 | Undergraduate Research Program |
| Natelie Moretz | 2007 | Robinson Center |
| Emily James | 2007 | CLUE/ASP |
| Chelsea McPherson | 2007 | First Year Programs |
| Raquel Chavez | 2006 | Office of Educational Assessment |
| Elizabeth Perrigue | 2006 | Classroom Support Services |
| Devon Smith | 2006 | First Year Programs |
| Jean Chau | 2005 | First Year Programs |
| Alison Johnston | 2005 | CLUE |
| Terry Schenold | 2004 | Undergraduate Research Program |
| Molly Boyajian | 2004 | Gateway Center |
| Anne Grant | 2004 | First Year Programs |
| Amanda Burrows | 2004 | Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity |
| Venus Azimi | 2003 | Undergraduate Advising? |
| Sunaro Prom | 2003 | Dean’s Office |
| Courtney Fuller, Emily Shank, Adam Stauffer, Matt Strople | 2003 | Classroom Support Services: Laptop & Data Projector Loan Program Team |
| Emily Augenstein, Lisa Lurie, Toan Tran | 2003 | Program on the Environment Student Team |
| Mandy Strange | 2002 | Classroom Support Services |
| Katie Boyajian | 2002 | Gateway Center |
| Rachel Hagen | 2001 | Classroom Support Services |
| Brenda Coulson | 2001 | Gateway Center |
| Tamara Cutler | 2000 | Classroom Support Services |
| Kristen Rudlang | 2000 | Dean’s Office |
| Kelly May Kirkland | 2000 | New Student Programs (First Year Programs) |
| Joel Leshefka | 2000 | Program on the Environment/Carlson Center |
| Maret Kane | 1999 | Undergraduate Scholarship Office (OMSFA) |
| Jen Ainslie | 1999 | New Student Programs/First Year Programs |
| Courtney Moran | 1999 | Classroom Support Services |
| Siw Bay-Hansen & Doug Waugh | 1999 | Undergraduate Advising Center |