The Staff Senate is pleased to announce the U of A Employee of the First Quarter Awards for 2023-24.

Winners for the first quarter are:

Category I - Professional/Non-Faculty - Academic
Danielle Dunn — As the director of operations and academic outreach, Dunn's initiatives in streamlining processes have significantly improved student retention. Dunn founded the Academic Support and Outreach Programs and created the Major Exploration Coaching Program, which received a $500,000 grant, to assist students in navigating their academic and career paths. Collectively, these initiatives have transformed the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, or the CORD, into a more accessible support hub.

Category I - Professional/Non-Faculty - Administrative
Jacob Hiatt — As fiscal support manager for the Department of Industrial Engineering, Hiatt has been instrumental in refining complex tuition reimbursement formulas and financial aid processes, significantly reducing faculty travel reimbursement time from over a month to just 2-3 weeks. Hiatt's meticulous tracking of complex funding models, collaborative efforts across various agencies, and innovative enhancements to financial systems have boosted the operational efficiency within the department.

Category II - Secretarial/Clerical
Lacie Bryles — Since joining communications last spring as a programming and media specialist, Bryles' efforts have led to record participation in events like the Internship Forum and our First Friday Speaker series, boosting interdepartmental and community interest.  Bryles' press releases have shed light on the department's research agenda, introduced new faculty members, and promoted graduate students and faculty.

Category III - Technical/Paraprofessional  
Juana Gilstrap — With more than 38 years of experience serving the University of Arkansas with distinction as a computer lab operator, application programmer, and systems analyst before being hired in her current role, systems specialist and Workday Student data & integrations specialist at the Registrar's Office, in 2014. Gilstrap's meticulous attention and extensive knowledge have been invaluable to the complex processes of conversion in the Workday Student project. Despite the challenging nature and long hours required for the work, Gilstrap has remained committed to ensuring the data transformation is as accurate and efficient as possible.

Category IV - Skilled/Service/Maintenance  
Johnmark Eneks — A power plant operator at Plant Operations & Maintenance for over seven years, Eneks is the department's main mechanic and an expert in handling duties related to high-pressure gas lines. Known for his reliability and commitment, he intervenes when needed, whether it's covering shifts, including the challenging night ones, or assisting new hires in understanding their roles.

Congratulations and thank you to these exceptional staff members for their hard work and service! They will receive a certificate and a monetary award for their selection. Employee of the Quarter recipients will also be submitted as candidates for the Employee of the Year. 

For more information about the Employee of the Quarter/Year program, please visit the Staff Senate website.

Monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 3-4:30pm and are open to the public both in-person and virtually.  Meeting details, lists of sitting senators, and additional information can be found at Staff Senate website.

About the Staff Senate: Created in 1976 by Board of Trustees Policy 810.1, Staff Senate and its elected senators have the responsibility of making recommendations to university leadership on any matter of staff concern, including quality of work life, the efficiency of operations, and staff service to the campus community. Staff Senate advocates in the areas of compensation, working conditions, health and wellness, fringe benefits, safety, parking, and other workplace issues. In addition, the Senate works to celebrate, recognize and give back to staff through programs such as Employees of the Quarter & Year, awards for Staff Team and Part-Time Employee of the Year, Staff Appreciation Week, the annual Staff Appreciation Picnic, Staff Senate Scholarships, and RazorGifts.