University Level Staff Excellence Awards

2025 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Susan Graham, SIU Foundation

2025 Civil Service Staff Excellence Award: Shari Garnett, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

2024 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Katherine Elson, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences

2024 Civil Service Staff Excellence Award: Tugiyanto, Information Technology

2023 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Tina Sickinger, Coordinator, Graduate School

2022 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Tarnisha Green, Director, SEED Program, College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics

2022 Civil Service Staff Excellence Award: Cynthia Heisner, Office Administrator, School of Law

2021 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Lanel Love, Dean of Students, Student Affairs

2021 Civil Service Staff Excellence Award: Richard Scott Taylor, University Housing, Student Affairs

2020 Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Renada Greer, Student Affairs

2020 Civil Service Staff Excellence Award: Julie Virgo, College of Science

2019 University Level Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Jeff McGoy, Dean of Students

2018 University Level Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Emily Spann, Student Center

2017 University Level Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Bob Baer, Department of Physics

2016 University Level Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Robert A. Broomfield, College of Applied Sciences and Art

2015 University Level Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award: Jeff Goelz, Recreational Sports and Services

2014: Harvey Henson, Jr., the assistant dean for recruitment, retention and outreach in the College of Science, impacts SIU students through outreach with Living Learning Communities, the popular Saluki Science Ambassadors and science educators throughout the region, writes Laurie A. Achenbach, interim dean of the College of Science.  He has mentored more than 350 student leaders and undergraduate researchers with Saluki Science Ambassadors since 2009 and 300 science students in science learning communities since 2008.

Henson has more than 27 years with the university, beginning as a research project specialist in 1986 to help establish the seismology research program in the Department of Geology.  In 2001, Henson became an instructor in geosciences and in 2007, co-director and instructor in the science and math teacher (SMART) graduate program in the College of Science and College of Education and Human Services.  Henson became an assistant dean in 2008.  Since becoming an assistant dean, Henson is the principal investigator or co-principal investigator in outreach grants totaling more than $8 million.

“All of these activities lie outside his specific job responsibilities,” Achenbach writes.  “Harvey does all of the grant-funded outreach not because he has to, but because he wants to.”

Stephen Esling, geology department chair, writes that Henson’s educational outreach programs result in many students entering SIU as science majors and notes that everyone who works in science education in the region “knows Harvey and what he does.”

“It is a true joy to watch Harvey interact with students and all educational levels. You can see the passion he has for learning and how he reaches out to that reluctant student to show him or her just how exciting science can be,” Esling writes.

2014: Zenetta McDaniel Coleman, associate director of the University Honors Program, is actively engaged with faculty, staff and students, and her commitment to SIU students goes “far beyond expectations outlined in any job description,” writes nominator Carolin Harvey.

A two-degree SIU graduate and Carbondale native, Coleman, affectionately known as “Mama Z,” mentors students, has advised several registered student organizations, and established two private scholarships in memory of her grandparents, three of whom retired from the university.  Harvey, an accountant in the registrar’s office, writes that she first met Coleman when she hired her as a graduate student for her office nearly 20 years ago.

Coleman’s “natural affinity” for students developed while working as a Chicago-based admissions counselor and recruiter for SIU from 1997 to 1999, Harvey writes.

Coleman has a desire to increase the diversity of student and faculty membership in the University Honors program to reflect the diversity on campus, and through active and intentional recruitment, diversity in the program has risen from 10 to 35 percent in just over three years, Harvey writes.  Coleman is a university associate for the honors program’s Living Learning Community (LLC), taught a University College 101 class and served on numerous search committees.  She is vice president of the black staff and faculty council and the administrative/professional council’s judicial review committee.

Coleman is president of the African American Museum of Southern Illinois and also serves as a family action network committee member for Special Olympics Illinois.

2013: Rosemary E. Simmons, director of the SIU Counseling Center, “embodies the culture she has created of excellence, acceptance and integrity,” writes Jaime Clark, the Center’s assistant director and director of training.  Among Simmons’ numerous qualities is she is “passionate about student welfare, promotes inclusive excellence” and is “tireless in striving for an equitable campus environment,” Clark states.

Simmons has more than 25 years experience at the Counseling Center in a number of capacities, including serving as director since 2006.  Prior to coming to SIU Carbondale, Simmons’ experience included working as a crisis counselor for the Jackson County Mental Health Center, a sexual assault crisis counselor at the Women’s Center, and victim’s advocate with SIU Carbondale’s Women’s Services.  She earned the University’s Administrative/Professional Women of Distinction Award presented by University Women’s Professional Advancement in 2004.

In addition to overseeing a staff that includes eight doctorate-level psychologists, two licensed clinical social workers, six pre-doctoral interns, 13 practicum students and three civil service professionals, Simmons does individual and group therapy, supervises graduate students, serves on numerous campus committees and presents workshops and community intervention projects.  Clark writes Simmons created programs, such as a full Dialectical Behavioral Therapy model, which differentiates “SIU from other excellent counseling centers across the country,” and “specializes in treatment of trauma, student supervision, diversity and social justice programming, crisis intervention and threat assessment.”

Frank Kosmicki, chief psychologist at the Counseling Center, writes Simmons is frequently a first-responder during crises or emergencies, meeting with students, staff, faculty and parents at the counseling center, residence halls, the hospital, or wherever needed.   Even with the responsibilities and working long hours, Simmons’ “optimism and positive attitude are infectious, and much of the character of the Counseling Center can be attributed to her personality,” Kosmicki writes.

2012: Jack R. Musgrave, interim director of the Evaluation and Developmental Center, is "a consummate professional, and as a role model for students, sets an excellent example through his extensive vocational rehabilitation knowledge and hard work," writes Carl R. Flowers, professor and acting director of the Rehabilitation Institute in the College of Education and Human Services.

2011: Don Castle, assistant director of the Student Center, for his outstanding contributions to the facility's central role in the life the University's students. The award is part of SIUC's annual Excellence Through Commitment Awards program, which highlights top achievers at the University.

2010: Carol Westerman-Jones is an academic adviser for the Department of Cinema & Photography in the College of Mass Communication & Media Arts. She joined the University in 1993 as an admissions and records officer with academic support programs. She has been in her current position since 1997. Westerman-Jones, of Carbondale, earned a bachelors degree in art and a masters degree in cinema and photograph at SIUC in 1992 and 1997, respectively.

2009: John S. Mead has served as director of the Coal Extraction and Utilization Research Center since 1989. In that position, he oversees the operation and strategic direction of the center, including specialized development facilities. Also associate dean of the graduate school, Mead promotes SIUC nationally and internationally as a leader in coal research while providing expertise to private and public organizations. He also helped Illinois attract the federal FutureGen project to Mattoon.

2008: Carmen Suarez is the Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity. A member of the Universitys staff since 1990, her previous roles included serving as coordinator of the Office of Diversity and Equity, interim assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, assistant dean of the School of Law Career Services, Hispanic community liaison and affirmative action officer. She earned her bachelor's degree in history, her master's degree in medieval history with a minor concentration in ancient history and her doctorate in philosophy at SIUC.

2007: Philip S. Gatton (right), director of Plant & Service Operations.

2006: Paulette Curkin, coordinator, Student Development

2005: Lois Strom, Assistant to the Chairman, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine- Springfield

2003-2004: Kevin Bame, Director, Accounting Services

2002: Brent D. Patton, Associate Director, Plant & Service Operations

2001: Barbara Elam, Coordinator, Wellness Center

2000: Keith McQuarrie, Academic Adviser, Information Management Systems

1999: Connie Shanahan, Research Project Specialist, Research Development and Administration

1998: Linda Benz, Project Coordinator, Institutional Research and Studies

1997: Gary Drake, Director, SIU Arena

1996: John Corker, instructor, Food and Nutrition

1995: James Osberg, Director of International Economic Development, Office of Economic and Regional Development

1994: Candis Isberner, Director, Office of TV Learning Services, Broadcasting Service

1993: J. Thomas Williams, Assistant Dean for Administration, School of Medicine

1992: Carolyn Donow, Research Project Specialist, Research Development and Administration

1991: Philip Lindberg, Director, Touch of Nature

1990: Jeanne Dorsett, Researcher II, School of Medicine-Carbondale

1989: Thomas Purcell, Associate Director, Institutional Research and Studies

1988: Andrew Marcec, Conference Coordinator, Continuing Education

1987: James Scales, Counseling Psychologist, Career Development Center

1986: Charlotte West, Director, Womens Intercollegiate Athletics

1985: Roland Keim, Associate Director, Admissions and Records

1984: Joe Yusko, Personnel Services

1983: Thurman Lee Brooks, Assistant to the Vice President for Campus Services

1982: Billie Jacobini, Chief Academic Adviser, General Academic Programs

2019: Timothy Lyle Attig, College of Engineering

2018: Richard Cole, Department of Plant Biology

2017: Elizabeth Hunter, University Communications

2016: Crystal L. Marlow, Graduate School

2015: Rachel Shurtz, Department of Zoology

2014: Ronald A. Dunkel, is Coordinator of the Student Center Craft Shop and is often found, according to Tena Bennett, Student Center director, “in the middle of all the classes, workshops and fun that goes on at the Craft Shop every day.”

Dunkel has been craft shop coordinator since September 1994; he began at the university in 1985 as the assistant craft shop coordinator, wood shop manager and instructor. Through more than 50 annual workshops and private lessons, Dunkel and his team “have created an opportunity for everyone to find their inner artist,” Bennett writes. 

Dunkel is heavily involved in everything from a hand-carved casting of an SIU Saluki gnome to teaching a class on how to make sushi, build a kayak or help students fix their bikes through “Saluki Spokes.” He also works with various community groups including the Girl Scouts, Rainbow’s End, Carbondale Boys and Girls Club and numerous campus-related organizations, Bennett writes.

Don Castle, Student Center associate director, writes that Dunkel is focused on students’ learning, success and wellbeing and “continues to motivate and educate students about the benefits of being productive and becoming involved in their chosen profession.”

Kay Pick Zivkovich, professor and associate director in the School of Art and Design, writes that Dunkel inspires people on a daily basis to “become more aware of themselves through the creative process.”

2013: Philip Reed , or “Chef Phil,” the chef production manager for residence hall dining with University Housing, makes the “culinary experience of SIU students a truly great experience.”  But that is just one of his attributes, writes Darrell Porter, a housing maintenance inspector.

Working for University Housing since 1992, Reed works at Trueblood Hall, the largest dining hall on campus. He is responsible for approximately 6,000 meals per week to an average of 900 students each night, and oversees more than 30 kitchen staff, and more than 100 students. Known for his monthly dining hall theme meals, Reed earned a national award in 2010 from the National Association of College and University Food Services for his theme meal, “A Night in New Orleans.”

Debra J. Nesbitt, a food production manager, also writes that Reed, through research and trial, “came up with menu adaptations that allowed a variety of choices for students who thought Celiac Disease would limit forever.”

“His due diligence in formulating recipes, preparation methods, staging areas, and staff training has made a significant impact on our ability to recruit students with allergy and intolerant conditions,” she writes.  She also notes Reed was instrumental in determining menus and food production in the aftermath of the May 8, 2009, wind storm that occurred in the midst of spring semester finals and anticipated commencement ceremonies.  She writes that the staff served lunch to 3,500 patrons daily May 8-12, 2009.

Reed also provides hands-on training for students in the University’s Food and Nutrition program; is involved with the University’s Iron Chef competitions, and numerous community outreach programs.  That includes raising donations for a homeless shelter in the St. Louis area; donations for special education students in Cairo, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

2010-2012: Patricia Caporale, Administrative Assistant to the Admissions Director at the SIU School of Law, has been the "backbone of the law school's recruitment and retention mission" since her start there in 1988, writes Alice M. Noble-Allgire, law school professor.

2010-2011: Jean Elder, who is the Office Manager for the Department of Radio-Television, is the administrative assistant to the department chair. Her responsibilities include keeping track of the department's business and financial accountings, but colleagues say Elder plays even a more pivotal role within the department and the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

2009-2010: Clarence E. “Clancy” White is an Arena Technician at the SIUC Student Center. He joined the University in 1998 and is responsible for sound at the many events held at the facility, as well as events held outside and off-campus. White, of Du Quoin, also repairs and maintains sound and video equipment and is a back-up technician for other major campus facilities, such as Saluki Stadium, Shryock Auditorium and the SIU Arena.

2008-2009: James E. Hancock came to SIUC in September 1997 and is a University Safety Officer with the Center for Environmental Health and Safety. His duties include ensuring the University is in compliance with state and federal regulations pertaining to a safe and healthy work environment for employees, students and visitors. That includes conducting campus health and safety inspections, investigating incidents and injuries, developing health and safety programs, and conducting health and safety training and advising departments on health and safety issues. Prior to working at SIUC, Hancock held various positions in the coal mining industry with AMAX Coal Co.’s Delta Mine in Marion. He earned his bachelor’s degree from SIUC in university studies, with a concentration on environmental studies and occupational health and safety. His master’s degree from SIUC is in education with a concentration on occupational health and safety training.

2007-2008: Karen Gibson came to SIUC in 1976 as a Central Sterile Supply Technician and then moved on to work in General Stores and Physical Plant Services. In 2000, she became the Storekeeper in the Department of Zoology, where she has garnered praise from co-workers, faculty and students.

2006-2007: Michael A. Shelton (right), Network Engineer V, Information Technology.

2005-2006: Rhonda Hooper, Administrative Assistant I, Institutional Research and Studies.

2004-2005: Ruth Pommier, Clerk, University Housing.

2002: Carole Young, Program Administrative Assistant, Rehabilitation Institute.

2001: Bradley “Jay” Brooks, Superintendent, Building Services.

2000: Jamie Corr, Assistant Program Director, Office of Family Housing.

1998: Carolin Harvey, Accountant II, Division of Continuing Education.

1994: Pansy Jones, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, College of Liberal Arts.

1993: Bonnie Long, Program Administrative Assistant, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

1990: Henrietta Miller, Administrative Assistant, Library Affairs.

1989: Gladys Gassaway, Payroll Clerk IV and Student Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Office.

1988: James Gulledge, Supervisor of Residential and Custodial Operations, University Housing

1987: Louise Golliher, Chief Clerk, Graduate School