The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Staff Senate recognized outstanding work by staff with its 2025 awards.
The Staff Senate Recognition Committee developed and implemented the staff senate recognition awards and recognized 16 staff with eight different award categories at the All-Staff Conference in July.
The following is a list of the awards presented:
Student Experiences Award
The UNL Staff Senate Student Experiences Award honors a staff member who prioritizes innovating student experiences. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to innovating student experiences that prepare graduates to be life-long learners and contributors to the workforce and/or their community.
Dan Hudson, Housing and Residence Life
Lisa Rohde, Graduate Studies
Research Impact Award
The UNL Staff Senate Research Impact Award honors a staff member who prioritizes research impact. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to establishing a culture committed to increasing the impact of research and creative activity.
Allyn Pella, Office of Research and Innovation
Tyler Frederick, Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center
Problem Solver Award
The UNL Staff Senate Problem Solver Award honors a staff member who prioritizes solving critical challenges. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to focusing research, scholarship, creative activity, and/or student experiences to foster innovative, interdisciplinary endeavors and solve critical challenges.
Phyllis Schwab, College of Business
Lydia Coulson, Undergraduate Education and Student Success
Engagement Award
The UNL Staff Senate Engagement Award honors a staff member who prioritizes engagement. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to building relationships with stakeholders for opportunities in partnership and impact.
Christa Rahl, College of Business
Julie Reiling, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Inclusive Excellence Award
The UNL Staff Senate Inclusive Excellence Award honors an individual staff member who prioritizes inclusive excellence. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to creating a climate that emphasizes, prioritizes, and expands inclusive excellence and diversity.
Bill Struckmeyer, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Kim Smith, College of Business
Professional Development Award
The UNL Staff Senate Professional Development Award honors a staff member who prioritizes professional development. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to personal professional development.
Natalie Becerra, College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Morgan Green McConnell, Housing and Residence Life
Staff Advocacy Award
The UNL Staff Senate Staff Advocacy Award honors a staff member who prioritizes staff advocacy. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to consistently encouraging and advocating for staff excellence by contributing to the advancement, benefit, and well-being of staff. The recipient of this award is a leader who views staff members as valuable and whose interactions within the university foster a positive workplace culture,
Haley Hamel, College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Eva Bachman, Graduate Studies
Customer Service Award
The UNL Staff Senate Customer Service Award honors a staff member who prioritizes customer service. The recipient is recognized for their commitment to providing exceptional customer service to internal and external customers of the University.
Lynnette Sallinger, Center of Academic Success and Transition
Kim Wellsandt, Nebraska Extension
Nominations for next year’s awards will open in early 2026.
