Each year, we recognize colleagues who we believe deserve recognition for their hard work, dedication and service to the community by nominating them to receive one of our annual Staff Awards. Below is a listing of the exceptional staff in the College of the Liberal Arts who have earned these awards.
Award Winners
Rising Star Award
- 2022- Chantel Harley, LAUS
- 2021-Alena Sunderland, Research and Graduate Studies Office
- 2020 - Heather Rutten, School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Josh Byrd, Filippelli Institute for eEducation and Outreach
- 2019 - Connie Berger, ITLA; Mark Williams, Research and Graduate Studies
- 2018 - Heather Mann, Center for Language Science; Karissa Rodgers-Hill, Alumni Relations and Development
- 2017 - Jennifer Gray, Outreach; Tacee Sechler, English; Kathy Swidwa, Strategic Communications
- 2016 - Allison Albinski, Psychology; Audrey Chambers, Anthropology; Ashley Scott, Willard Support; and Maryam Sinawa, Office of the Dean
- 2015 - Jeffrey Foltz, ITLA; Annette Lewis, ITLA; Brenton Mitchell, World in Conversations Project, and Rob Peeler, Rock Ethics Institute
- 2014 - Hannah Brukardt, Office of the Dean; Nicole Force, School of Languages and Literatures;Jessica Snyder, Intensive English Communication Program; and Jessica Steele, School of Labor and Employment Relations
- 2013 - Sarah Denes, School of Languages and Literature; Jessica Fatica, Office of the Dean; Amanda Goble, Psychology/Child Study Center; and Dawn Noren, Africana Research Center
- 2012 - Kate Miffitt, Outreach; Kendra Stahlman, Rock Ethics Institute; Jo Anne Thornton, Research and Graduate Studies
- 2011 - Jillian Balay, Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
- 2010 - Stephanie Rossman, Anthropology
- 2009 (2008)* - Susan Johnson, Psychological Clinic and Michele Moslak, Economics
- 2007 - Katy Heltman, Alumni Relations and Development
- 2006 - Amy Homan, Political Science
- 2005 - Erin Eckley, Undergraduate Studies
- 2004 - Amy Bucha, English
Outstanding Customer Service Award
- 2022- Audrey Chambers, Anthropology
- 2021-Marc Kepler, Liberal Arts IT
- 2020 - Robin Haynes, Communication Arts and Sciences
- 2019 - Spencer Askew, Psychology
- 2018 - Sherri Bumbarger, Alumni Relations and Development
- 2017 - Chris Gamble, Alumni Relations and Development; Laura Shaffer, School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Staff Excellence in Sustainability Award
- 2022- Mary Price, School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- 2021- Kelly Confer, Psychology
- 2020 - Chris Hort, Dean's Office
- 2019 - Ned Balzer, ITLA
- 2018 - Allison Haas, Political Science
- 2017 - Jessica Fatica, Human Resources
Staff Excellence Award
- 2022- Shannon Brace, Political Science
- 2022- Theresa Wilson, Anthropology
- 2021-Shannon Bishop, Dean's Office
- 2021-Shannon Ranio, Psychology
- 2020 - Staci Kelly, Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies; Robin Kephart, Anthropology
- 2019 - Aimee Grugan, Political Science; Julie Modricker, Undergraduate Studies
- 2018 - Kristy Boob, Political Science; Cheryl Mohr, English
- 2017 - Stephanie Cramer, English; Veronica Longenecker, Information Technology
Innovation and Change Award
- 2022- Susan Johnson, Research and Graduate Studies Office
- 2021- DeAnn Martz, LAUS Advising
- 2020 - Trisha Everhart, Labor and Employment Relations
- 2019 - Jenna Spinelle, McCourtney Institute for Democracy
- 2018 - Greg Giles, Information Technology
- 2017 - Casey Fenton, Strategic Communications
Liberal Arts Ambassador
- 2022- Kristy Boob, Political Science
- 2021- Becky Cross, School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- 2020 - Whitney Chirdon, School of Public Policy
- 2019 - Jennifer Hessert, Undergraduate Studies; Angela Hill, Political Science
- 2018 - Stacy Fox, Political Science
- 2017 - Louise Sharrar, Outreach
Excellence in Leadership and Mentoring Award
- 2022- Jennifer Keyzer-Andre, Communication Arts & Sciences, Philosophy, and Applied Linguistics
- 2022- Melissa Hummel, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, African American Studies and African Studies
- 2021- Greg Nolan, LAUS Advising
- 2020 - Susan Knell, Career Enrichment Network
- 2019 - Beth Laird, Psychology
- 2018 - Michelle Ilgen, Political Science
- 2017 - Nicole Force, School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Kenya Sherice Mann Equity and Justice Award
- 2022 - Earl F Merritt, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
**Client Service award was renamed Exceptional Service in 2007
Retired Awards
Ethics and Integrity Award
- 2021- Amy Barone, English
- 2020 - Kathy Swidwa, Alumni Relations and Development
- 2019 - no nominations
- 2018 - no nominations
- 2017 - Joanne Nash, Rock Ethics Institute
LASER Award Winners
2016
- Rebecca Bressler, School of Languages and Literatures
- Kimberly Smith, Sociology and Criminology
2015
- Holly Beaver, Undergraduate Studies
- Faye Maring, Human Resources
- Sandi Rockwell, Sparks Support
2014
- Gay Catherman, Economics
- Nicola Kiver, Office of the Dean
- Dawn Noren, Africana Research Center
- Kathy Rumbaugh, Willard Support
2013
- Amy Barone, English
- Cathy Holsing, Outreach and Online Education
- Katelyn Perry, Undergraduate Advising
2012
- Barb Edwards, Rock Ethics Institute
- Robin Haynes, Communication Arts and Sciences, Philosophy, and Applied Linguistics
- Sheri Miller, Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice
- Betsy Will, Human Resources
2011
- Sherri Bumbarger, Alumni Relations and Development
- Sondra Morrison, Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice
- Connie Stahlman, Financial Office
2010
- Melody Lane, Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice
- Robin Orndorff, Communication Arts and Sciences and Philosophy
- Abigail Smith, Political Science
- Karen Sones, Undergraduate Advising
2009 (2008)*
- Mona Muzzio, Languages and Literatures
- Barby Singer, Richards Civil War Era Center
- Denise Surovec, Financial Office
- Jan Wallace, Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice
2007
- Wendy Clark, Communication Arts and Sciences and Philosophy
- Kim Keller, English
- Avis Kunz, Outreach
- Connie Moore, Psychology
- Robin Robinson, Undergraduate Studies
- Brad Winters, Information Technology in Liberal Arts
Esprit Award
- 2016 - Betty Blair, Anthropology and Lisa Pierson, School of Labor and Employment Relations
- 2015 - Jamie McClintock Brenner, Undergraduate Advising and Kim Johnson, English
- 2014 - Diane Plummer, Child Study Center and Ben Whitesell, Undergraduate Advising
- 2013 - Barbara Cox, Sociology/Justice Center
- 2012 - Susan Kolbe, Psychological Clinic and Bonnie Rossman, School of Languages and Literatures
- 2011 - Karen Davis, English
- 2010 - Rose Niman, Weaver Building Support
- 2009 (2008)* - Amy Homan, Political Science
- 2007 - Tanya Hockman, Undergraduate Studies and Bonnie Rossman, School of Languages and Literatures
- 2006 - Rebecca Cross, French and Francophone Studies and Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
- 2005 - Faye Maring, Alumni Relations and Development
- 2004 - Tammy Accordino, Economics
Exceptional Service**
- 2016 - Rebecca Cross, School of Languages and Literatures and Susan Johnson, Research and Graduate Studies
- 2015 - Erin Eckley, Weaver Support and Trisha Everhart, School of Labor and Employment Relations
- 2014 - Mary Mark, Undergraduate Advising and Krista Winkelblech, Economics
- 2013 - Betty Blair, Anthropology
- 2012 - Peg Yetter, English
- 2011 - Amy Barone, English
- 2010 - Connie Stahlman, Financial Office
- 2009 (2008)* - Sherri Bumbarger, Alumni Relations and Development and Mary Cameron, Undergraduate Advising
- 2007 - Tracey Melnick, Undergraduate Advising
- 2006 - Barbara Brinkman, French and Francophone Studies and Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
- 2005 - Gay Catherman, Economics
- 2004 - Karen Sones, Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice
Outstanding Teamwork
- 2016 - ITLA Infrastructure Team: Brent Davison, Randy Dixon, Shane Freehauf, James Kohan, Jeremy Poletto, Mike Renne, John Taylor, and Brad Winters
- 2016 - Penn State English Testing System (PETS) Team: Sally Arnold, Ned Balzer, Travis Freehauf, Stephen Looney, and Sandi Rockwell
- 2015 - Spring 2014 Commencement - Undergraduate Student Services Team: Holly Beaver, Andrea Crews, Barbara Edwards, Casey Fenton, Billie Moslak, Debby Pyatt, and Laurie Shirey
- 2014 - For The Future Campaign Team: Kathie Alterio, Kathy Andrusisin, Sherri Bumbarger, Vicki Fong, Chris Gamble, Julia George, Kristin Harpster, Katy Heltman, Mary Kay Hort, Helen Miller, Amanda Pruss, Lisa Reihart, Kelly Stazi, and Jim Watt
- 2013 - Moore Building Move Team: Psychology Staff: Judy Bowman, Sue Kolbe, Mona Muzzio, Elaine Prestia, and Shannon Ranio; ITLA Staff: Shane Freehauf and Jason Tisdale; and Facilities Manager: Chris Hort
- 2012 - Scholarship Awarding Team: Jillian Balay, Holly Beaver, Julianna Chaszar, Mary Kay Hort, Melissa McBrayer, Billie Moslak, Robin Robinson, Sara Cocolin, and Marilyn Byers
- 2011 - WinInstall Team: Scott Varrassa, Missy Price, Jasun Lego, Brad Winters, Shane Freehauf, and Joe Carlson
*In 2008, we began to title the awards based on the year of the reception; i.e., "2009 Staff Awards" represents awards for the 2008 calendar year that were awarded at the reception in 2009. **Client Service award was renamed Exceptional Service in 2007.