Global Campus Presents Annual Awards at July Staff Meeting

Global Campus presented three annual awards at a recent July staff meeting that recognize employees whose work might otherwise go unnoticed.

The three awards — Rookie of the Year to Andrea Howard, Unsung Hero to Luke Gramlich and Cross-functional Collaborator to Justin Mazzanti — allow Global Campus to extend its appreciation as part of ongoing support of staff. Recipients receive a framed certificate designed by the Global Campus media production team as well as a monetary award.

"This year's recipients show us that meaningful contributions take many forms," Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education at Global Campus, said at the quarterly staff meeting in July. "Andrea brought energy, initiative and a willingness to learn from the moment she joined our team. Luke's creativity and steady work behind the scenes strengthen the learning experience we provide. And Justin's commitment to service and collaboration helps colleagues across Global Campus and the university succeed. Each of them makes an important difference quietly and humbly, without seeking recognition. Together, they represent the talent, teamwork and dedication that move our mission forward."

Rookie of the Year - Andrea Howard

This award spotlights staff who have worked at Global Campus for less than a full year but whose efforts in some way support, boost or enhance the services provided to Global Campus staff, as well as students, departments and the community at large.

The Rookie of the Year award for 2025-2026 goes to Howard, a financial affairs analyst in Financial Affairs and Human Resources.

"Andrea consistently steps in to help whenever needed, is a quick learner and is always willing to support others," said those who nominated her for the award. "She stepped into her role with an eagerness to learn and has excelled in her normal job duties while taking on many additional responsibilities. Andrea has established herself as someone people trust and rely on, and she deserves this recognition."

Since joining Global Campus in September 2025, having first joined the university in 2015, Howard supports Global Campus with budgeting and financial operations. She assists with non-credit administration, scholarship processing and billing, and helps wherever she is needed.

Transitioning into a finance-focused position after years of student-facing roles gave Howard a new perspective on the university.

"Every office gives you a different angle to look at the University of Arkansas from," Howard said. "This is a really different, behind the scenes, financial view—a money in, money out kind of thing rather than student facing."

Howard said receiving the Rookie of the Year Award came as a complete surprise and finds being recognized by her peers makes the honor especially meaningful.

"I literally didn't know there was an award until it started flashing up on the screen," she said. "You do your job because you're supposed to do it, but being recognized by others is a really great feeling."

Among the experiences she is most proud of during her first year with Global Campus are volunteering to review W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship applications and helping with the online graduation reception.

"Seeing the students get these scholarships...that was really cool," Howard said. "And graduation is such a happy time, with everybody in a good mood."

Howard credits the Global Campus culture for helping her quickly feel at home in her new role. She recalled hearing during her interview that Global Campus was a place where employees genuinely support one another, and she said that promise has proven true.

"Getting in here and seeing it in action, seeing everybody really support each other…when your co-workers do a good job, then everybody looks good," Howard said.

Looking ahead, Howard says she has no plans to leave the organization she has grown to appreciate.

"My main goal is just to 'stay global,'" she said.

Howard also expressed her gratitude to the colleagues who recognized her for the award and to the entire Global Campus community.

"I'd certainly like to thank the people who nominated me," she said. "Honestly, I really want to thank all Global Campus because everybody who works at Global is really great. It's not just my team or the fifth floor, it's great to be part of the whole Global Campus family."

Jamie Loftin is assistant vice provost for Distance Education Administration and Howard's supervisor.

"In her first year, Andrea has already become someone this team counts on," Loftin said. "She picked up her role quickly and brings the same dependability to everything she touches, whether it's her core financial duties or the extra responsibilities she's taken on without being asked. What sets her apart is how she builds relationships across campus; those connections have made a real difference when problems required collaboration across departments. Andrea earned this recognition through consistent, quiet excellence, and we're proud to see her honored as Rookie of the Year."

The other nominees for the Rookie of the Year award were:

• Jacob "Jake" McCullough, faculty support coordinator, Learning Technology Support
• Alexandra "Alex" Regenold, graphic design support, Marketing and Communications
• Megan Thompson, academic records management analyst, Partnership, Scheduling and Records

Unsung Hero Award - Luke Gramlich

This award recognizes staff whose duties are integral to the smooth running of Global Campus but whose routine, yet vital, tasks do not normally stand out.

The Unsung Hero Award goes to Gramlich, studio supervisor, senior videographer and editor in the Media Production team.

Gramlich has been part of the U of A community since 2008, joining Global Campus in 2016. Since becoming senior videographer/editor in 2022, he has played a key role at Global Campus by producing high-quality instructional videos that support online programs across the university. He also manages the day-to-day operations of the Global Campus media production studio, coordinates video production with instructional designers and faculty, oversees studio recording sessions and edits course content for online learners. He coordinates multiple video projects simultaneously, ensuring studio time, equipment and production resources are allocated efficiently, so projects are completed on schedule.

"What I find most rewarding is creating video content that helps people further their education," Gramlich said. "I enjoy developing and implementing new video production techniques that make our content better and more engaging for viewers."

When he learned he had been selected for the Unsung Hero award, Gramlich said, "I appreciate the recognition and see it as an affirmation that my work is one little part of helping Global Campus."

The award is especially meaningful because it comes from his colleagues, he said. While reviewing comments from those who nominated him, one phrase stood out.

"The words 'true master of his craft' were used in the comments," Gramlich said. "While I very much appreciate the compliment, I feel I still have much to learn and much more experience to gain to live up to that very generous description."

Over the past year, Gramlich and the media team continue to expand both the volume and quality of video content they produce while exploring new production techniques and collaborative opportunities across the organization. He pointed to his work supporting the recruitment team by producing interview videos and editing recorded webinars as projects that exemplify the collaborative spirit behind the award.

"Our media team has grown into a well-oiled machine," he said. "Everyone is a specialist in their respective area, and everyone is always ready and willing to help each other with their expertise. Our ability to collaborate allows us to continually make our work better."

Gramlich's supervisor is Jerin Crandell, media productions manager.

"Luke consistently goes above and beyond, seeking new ways to innovate and bring creativity to recordings while maintaining efficiency," Crandell said. "This summer was the studio's busiest to date, with Luke running back-to-back productions every day for months. Even with that record workload, he also partnered with recruitment to create webinars to reach hundreds of prospective students. Luke is always looking for ways to support everyone at Global Campus, so it is no surprise that he received the Unsung Hero Award for the meaningful work he does behind the scenes."

The other nominees for the Unsung Hero Award were:

• Alicia "Lish" Estes, eLearning developer, Learning Technology Support
• Heidi Wells, content writer and strategist, Marketing and Communications

Cross-Functional Collaborator Award - Justin Mazzanti

This award recognizes the spirit of cross-functional collaboration that helps Global Campus achieve its goals. It honors employees who exemplify teamwork across colleges and departments. Staff members who receive this award are acknowledged for work that strengthens the Global Campus community and helps advance the U of A mission.

To be eligible for this award, Global Campus staff must produce results that increase productivity and efficiency, boost morale, improve customer service, support retention or other accomplishments in alignment with Global Campus' strategic goals.

The Collaborator Award recipient for 2025-2026 is Mazzanti, building specialist for Global Campus.

Mazzanti has worked at Global Campus for more than four years. He oversees building security, maintenance schedules, vendor contracts and cleaning operations. He also provides technology support, ensuring faculty and staff have the resources they need to be successful.

"What I find most rewarding is knowing that our staff can do what they need to do without any barriers," Mazzanti said.

Nominators praised both the breadth of his campus partnerships and his willingness to step in wherever help is needed.

"If there's one person who exemplifies what it means to work across teams, it's Justin," the nominators said. "He regularly coordinates with groups all over the university…and is just as comfortable working with outside partners. He handles it all. Justin does this work for the good of Global Campus and the university as a whole, not for personal recognition."

Mazzanti said reading those comments reinforced just how interconnected his work is with colleagues across the university.

"What stood out to me was their knowledge of who all I work with across campus," he said. "Someone took the time to nominate me."

Throughout his time at Global Campus, Mazzanti has embraced opportunities to expand his knowledge beyond his primary responsibilities, which include managing contract renewals and learning additional technology to assist while positions were vacant. He credits his co-workers for much of his own success.

"I've learned from every person in Global Campus—what they do, what they need to do it and how to get what they need," Mazzanti said. "Strong teamwork is helping when needed."

That mindset has made Mazzanti a trusted resource for colleagues throughout Global Campus and across the university. Whether addressing facility needs, solving technology challenges or assisting campus partners, he approaches each day with a commitment to service.

"What keeps me engaged is learning new things every day," Mazzanti said. Looking ahead, he hopes to "keep learning how or where I can contribute" and continue making an impact by "not slowing down or being complacent with opportunities."

Mazzanti expressed gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his career, offering special thanks to Shelly Pryor, financial affairs specialist, and his colleagues across Global Campus.

Jamie Loftin is also Mazzanti's supervisor.

"Justin is the connective tissue for so much of what happens across Global Campus," Loftin said. "He moves seamlessly between internal groups like FAMA and UITS and outside partners such as HVAC teams, server support, landscaping and furniture vendors, and he manages every one of those relationships with the same level of care. What I appreciate most is that he does it quietly. He's not looking for credit; he just wants things to run smoothly for the university. That kind of consistency and selflessness is exactly what this award is meant to recognize."

This is not Mazzanti's first award from Global Campus. He was named Employee of the Second Quarter and Employee of the Year in 2023-2024. In that same year, he was named both Employee of the Second Quarter and Employee of the Year for the entire university in the skilled/service/maintenance category.

The other nominees for the Cross-functional Collaborator Award were:

• Abi Moser, Blackboard support coordinator, Learning Technology Support
• Uthara Unnikrishnan, data and innovation resource specialist, Professional and Workforce Development

The Global Campus supports the U of A academic colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online degree programs and courses, and workforce development programs. This unit provides instructional design services, learning technology support, media production services and assistance with financial administration, recruitment and marketing. 

The Global Campus also supports the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students studying in online degree programs.