In fall 2019, Student Affairs developed an employee recognition program in the four important areas of student retention, customer service, leadership, and morale building. The program’s purpose is to shine a light on the talent, commitment, and compassion demonstrated by our staff. Nominations were accepted by peers and supervisors during the months of April through September. We are delighted to announce the winners for fall 2020.
October 2020 winners
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student retention | Customer service | Leadership | Morale building |
| Tara Kittrell Counseling Services |
Whitney Calliotte Admissions |
Emily Bell Trojan Transition and Assistance Center |
Derrick Newby, Jr. Admissions |
Here are some plaudits from the nominations:
Tara Kittrell
Some people are unsung heroes in their offices. We have one in the Counseling Services office by the name of Tara Kittrell. She is compassionate, empathic, and goes beyond the call of duty to serve our students. As psychiatric APRN she visits with students, prescribes them the needed medications to assist their mental health issues so they don’t present obstacles in their academic pursuit. She advocates for students, writes letters, and makes calls to facilitate the delivery of services to the students as needed. Ms. Kittrell indirectly contributes to the retention of many students that would have dropped out of school without that mental health support that she provides.
Tara is especially encouraging for the at-risk student populations. She demonstrates daily her commitment to student success as she focuses on helping each individual increase their own abilities to address their learning and educational needs, while respecting their aspirations, cultural backgrounds, and their personal, educational, and vocational goals. We are truly lucky to have her as a co-worker and a student advocate.
Whitney Calliotte
Whitney works within the Office of Admissions and recruits local students into our Pathway Program. I have not witnessed another person work so hard for the students that they have come in contact with. Whitney not only recruits students to UA Little Rock, but also strives to make sure that once they are here that they have all the tools necessary to be successful. She builds a relationship with each of the students that she recruits. She understands that just recruiting them is not enough and she makes the effort to maintain relationships to support them through their college journey. Just the other day we were on campus by Cooper Fountain and she had three current students get excited to see her on campus. She continues that connection with them even after they have been admitted and registered. I have seen Whitney going above and beyond for students on a regular basis. Whether it is to help them make connections with TRIO, finding additional funding for students in need, or guiding them to great connections throughout UA Little Rock. Whitney is also an amazing leader within our recruitment team. She is constantly taking on extra projects when needed. She is always eager to help new recruiters with tips and tricks that have helped her.
Emily Bell
Enrollment is a hot topic on our campus, but Emily has dived into the area and taken it by storm. Within her 10+ years of service at UALR, she has helped several offices across campus and now brought those expertise and contacts to her new role as Director of Trojan Transition and Assistance Center.
When the ASK Desk needed a leader, she stepped up – training & assisting not 1, not 2 – but 3 new ASK Desk Coordinators. Her vision for student success is only eclipsed by her ability to create a positive and cheerful atmosphere in Student Affairs. When Orientation was a one person office and needed help and guidance to learn and bring together campus, she stepped up – adding to her already hectic schedule with being Director of Study Abroad. Emily doesn’t just assist her colleagues. She makes students and guests feel like they matter on campus. She listens, she acts, she makes her project a success. UA Little Rock has greatly benefited from her time here.
Derrick Newby, Jr.
Derrick is a recruitment coordinator in the Office of Admissions. He is absolutely amazing with the students, parents, and school administrators he serves daily. Derrick was given the task of increasing our applications in Saline County and performed beautifully as usual. But besides his work ethic, ability to build relationships on and off campus, eagerness to learn, and his drive; is his character. He has the ability to pull people up when they are down, to work through difficult situations and help others do the same, and to increase the morale of everyone around him. His colleagues rely heavily on him to have a positive outlook and for assistance when needed. He is one of the first to volunteer for extra tasks, was chosen as part of the Diversity Counsel, and is just a great all around human.
Please join Student Affairs in congratulating these stellar colleagues!
