UA Little Rock Honors Staff Members Chosen for Academic Affairs Staff Awards
UA Little Rock has recognized four staff members for their service to the campus community in the areas of customer service, team work, initiative, and innovation.
The Division of Academic Affairs honored outstanding staff members with these awards for the first time in 2022. The winners received a prize of $500 and a certificate to display in their workplace. This year’s winners have not only excelled in their job performance but also in their attention to UA Little Rock’s goal of preparing student success, strengthening and supporting the university’s mission, and encouraging creative endeavors.
Dana Steele, associate registrar, received the Staff Recognition Award for Customer Service, which honors a staff member who has made exceptional contributions to deliver superior service to members of our campus community and/or the community at large.
Kilby Raptopoulos, advanced instructor, who nominated Steele, called her a true reflection of what customer service should strive to be.
“I have worked with Dana regarding our school’s undergraduate academic advising, and I can’t imagine a Records and Registration Office without Dana Steele’s guidance and patience,” Raptopoulos wrote. “Dana is not only an expert on internal policies and procedures, which makes her a true asset to this university, she goes out of her way to be helpful in a kind and supportive manner.”
Geoff Nash, Blackboard support coordinator, received the Staff Recognition Award for Team Work, which recognizes a staff member who fosters a high degree of collegiality in their daily work with our students, faculty, other staff, and community members.
Dr. Edma Delgado, assistant professor of Spanish, nominated Nash for his constant support for students and faculty using Blackboard.
“Geoff always goes above and beyond to support students and faculty working through Blackboard issues or teaching faculty how to enhance their course delivery by using online tools,” Delgado wrote. “I am confident in my abilities to run online classes because I know that Geoff Nash is backing me and all of the faculty. His professionalism, patience, and commitment to making online programs work should be lauded.
Next, Donna-Rae Eldridge, director of operations, received the Staff Recognition Award for Initiative, which honors a staff member who, of their own accord, has taken on exceptional responsibilities beyond their primary job duties.
“I had no idea that I was being considered for this award, so receiving the 2023 Academic Affairs Staff Award for Initiative was a wonderful surprise,” Eldridge said. “I am humbly grateful for the recognition.”
Eldridge’s supervisor, Sharonda Lipscomb, nominated her for the award. Lipscomb, director of online learning, said Eldridge repeatedly steps up and takes on additional responsibilities to ensure that the Office of eLearning operates smoothly.
“I have found Donna-Rae to be quite attentive and never afraid to take on challenging tasks,” Lipscomb said. “I have been most impressed with her persistence, unrelenting drive, and determination to ensure projects are completed. She is a hard worker with a positive attitude and exemplifies UA Little Rock’s current theme of Expect More.”
Finally, Rebecca Nugent, student affairs program manager, is the winner of the Staff Award for Innovation, which honors a staff member who has used creativity to develop or implement new and/or improved processes, services, and methods.
“I am grateful to get to go to work each day at a place where I feel welcomed and challenges me to do better,” Nugent said. “No two days are ever the same. I work with great co-workers and students that make my job enjoyable. Thanks to those who nominated me for this award it is much appreciated.”
Nominator Kristen Minton, director of academic support and bar services, describes Nugent as the best employee at the William H. Bowen School of Law who went above and beyond to make sure students had food options available.
“During the pandemic, Rebecca would coordinate food trucks to provide students meals on campus,” Minton said. “After the pandemic, Student Affairs met and decided we needed to take over the project of providing food. Rebecca spearheaded the project, renovated the space with the help of Lance Bennings, and worked through the process to get grab and go food that is available to law students, both day and night. She hires and coordinates student workers to supervise the market. She absolutely goes above and beyond with all of her projects.”
