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 Mahon  

Excellence in Project Management:
Mary Mahon

"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 Field   Tracie Rogers

Top Notch Customer Service:
Sharie Field and Tracie Rogers

"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."

Es Amiri

Ingenuity:
Katie Frost

"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 Black   Tracey EasonHarriet Paule

Sunshine:
Ruth Black, Tracey Eason, and Harriet Paule

"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

Jun Navarro  Katie Walker

Excellence in Teamwork:
Junland Navarro and Katie Walker

"[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."

Jenifer Leigh

Shining Star:
Jenifer Leigh

"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 Amiri

Resilience:
Esmatullah Amiri

"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 Jane Park

Rising Star:
Emma Jane Park

"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)."