College of Health
COH STAFF APPRECIATION AWARDS
The staff appreciation awards celebrate our staff who showcase exceptional performance
and commitment to UAA College of Health (COH) programs throughout the academic year.
All COH staff in active positions during the award period are eligible (regular, term,
temporary, part-time, full-time).
2025 Award Types
- Excellence in Project Management Award: Recognizes an employee who has organized, coordinated, and/or managed a project, program,
or process in an exceptional way.
- Top Notch Customer Service Award: Recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service.
- Ingenuity Award: Recognizes an employee who has innovated a new system, process, or program.
- Sunshine Award: Recognizes an employee who brings life, light, and energy to the people around them.
2025 Award Recipients
"Mary demonstrated outstanding project management in organizing and executing the
SMH Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, ensuring every detail was handled with precision and
professionalism...Her ability to implement efficient processes and foster collaboration
among departments resulted in a seamless, well-attended event that reflected organizational
excellence and community engagement."
"Sharie consistently demonstrates exceptional customer service by going above and
beyond to support students, faculty, and staff in the School of Social Work. Sharie’s
expertise and dedication make a significant difference in the success of our students
and the smooth operation of the program...I know I can depend on Sharie to provide
accurate information in a timely manner, which allows me to complete my own responsibilities
effectively."
"Not only did Tracie provide timely and thoughtful customer service, I can see that
she is consistently guided by her ethics and a high degree of caring related to the
experience of both candidates and employees...She does not shy away from difficult
conversations...she reached out and described the need, seeing things from both the
University perspective and from the experience of the employee....I am grateful not
only for Tracie’s assistance, but also for her guidance and compassion."
"Katie's effective and approachable School of Nursing information sessions do wonders
for communicating accurate and concise program specifics to potential nursing students
who attend via Zoom statewide, as well as nationwide...She has built a network of
advisors throughout the state and from every campus so that we all can do our best
to get nursing students where they want to be."
"Ruth is often the first person students, staff, and faculty meet when they enter the
School of Allied Health office, and she immediately sets the tone with her warm smile,
cheerful greetings, and welcoming presence. She goes out of her way to greet everyone
and make them feel comfortable. This small but powerful gesture creates a sense of
belonging and connection for students who may be anxious or uncertain, as well as
for faculty and staff who appreciate her friendly and supportive nature."
"Tracey is consistently a source of support, humor, and kindness. She goes above and
beyond to make others in the COH feel included (especially new employees) through
mentorship and being a resource for questions...She is exceedingly considerate and
hospitable...when someone new in our location starts, you can expect Tracey to make
them feel welcome. And while I am consistently impressed with her relationship building
amongst UAA staff and faculty, she also establishes important connections with those
out in the community, much to the benefit of our work."
"Harriet treats everyone with respect, patience, and care, no matter their station...Harriet
is a mentor to me in how to approach life with life, light, and energy. No matter
the hardship...she is constantly looking for a positive thread to share about the
experience. She reminds me to do the same. Chatting with her is uplifting and inspiring.
She helps me find the good in people, things, and experiences. I hope one day, I can
learn to pay it forward too, just like Harriet."
2024 Award Types
- Excellence in Teamwork Award: Recognizes an employee who collaborates in an outstanding way to achieve excellence.
- Shining Star Award: Recognizes an impactful employee who consistently performs above and beyond expectations.
- Resilience Award: Recognizes an optimistic employee who demonstrates excellence in adapting to change.
- Rising Star Award: Recognizes an employee with five or fewer years of experience in their field whose
accomplishments distinguish them as an emerging leader.
2024 Award Recipients
"[Junland Navarro] has consistently been willing to step up and take on responsibilities
not typically in his role, as he understands the need to provide high quality service
to our students. Jun is an efficient communicator, and frequently greets everyone
with a smile and kind service."
"In the four months that I have been employed by UAA, [Katie Walker] has assisted
me with onboarding, BB development, gradebooks, computer technology, learning outcomes,
syllabus development, and adjusting to life in academics. Katie is literally the jack
of all trades. She makes people feel valued, seen, and heard."
"So very impressive is Jenifer's persistence in the face of obstacles, and her resourcefulness...Her
involvement in finding a technological solution for capturing the many nuances of
accreditation requirements is seen as a model by the accreditation body, the Accreditation
Council on Human Services Education."
"Ms. Leigh reaches out to faculty, students, and peers in proactive ways involving
them in major projects tapping into their strengths. She works at the highest level
of performance and follows through on assignments providing regular updates and information
about the status of projects."
"Es demonstrated excellence in critical thinking to resolve the multiple challenges
of this expense report and engaged in positive communication... Throughout the process,
Es was very responsive and helpful!"
"I think of him [Esmatullah] when challenges and change comes my way because he faces
life with humor and humility. He is an inspiration."
"Emma has consistently demonstrated initiative and sought out opportunities for increased
responsibility since her date of hire. Emma served as building manager for PSB for
academic year 23-24 and handled things in an efficient, professional way while maintaining
timely communications."
"[Emma's] deep commitment to learning about and advancing Alaska Native knowledge,
language and culture is reflected in her efforts as co-chair of the Access and Belonging
Committee (ABC)."