The University Relations Video Production Team has been named the Outstanding Team of the Year by Staff Senate. The award recognizes outstanding staff members who work together as a team, applauds outstanding staff accomplishments, and encourages and promotes excellence in the workplace.

The nomination, submitted by Jennifer Holland, senior director of marketing communications, included three full-time staff members:

• Ben Goodwin, managing producer of video production
• Brian Petty, videographer
• Tyler Woessner, videographer

The video production team took on a multitude of projects in 2024 and continues to find new ways to showcase the university in a creative manner. Usually a team of four, they found themselves working with one fewer staff member in 2024.

In addition to fully supporting the video needs of University Relations — which includes the university's Short Takes and Discover RED video series and 30-second marketing spot — they also support video projects from across campus and play a significant role in both commencement events each year.

"Our video team provides outstanding work year after year," said Mark Rushing, associate vice chancellor for university relations. "One example: the current 30-second national spot, which is one of the most energetic and popular spots the university has ever produced. They do an amazing job showcasing our campus, people and the positive impact the university provides to individuals and communities, to Arkansas and beyond."

In 2024, the team produced the university's new 30-second commercial, "Imagine What's Possible," three Short Takes episodes, 12 podcast episodes for Short Talks From the Hill, four videos for Discover RED and a promotional video for the launch of the university's Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. They also produced three videos for the campus's United Way effort and a video for Faculty Appreciation Week, among other projects. Their Short Takes video "Restoring Touch," produced in collaboration with the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, won a silver Telly Award in science and technology.

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About 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, 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.

Monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3 p.m. 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.