Outstanding Staff and Program Awards

• Describe how this Civil Service nominee has gone above and beyond the primary duties of their job to support students and/or co-workers.
• Describe how this Civil Service nominee has consistently provided excellent service to students and/or Student Affairs.
• Please provide two (2) examples of how this Civil Service nominee has exemplified Student Affairs' organizational values.
  • Student Affairs values include Student Centered, Justice, Learning, Wellness and Integrity. Your answer does not need to address all of the values listed above.

• Describe how this Academic Professional nominee has gone above and beyond the primary duties of their job to support students and/or co-workers? Your response to this question should include details of at least one specific example.
• Describe how this Academic Professional nominee has consistently provided excellent service to students and/or Student Affairs. Your response to this question should include details of at least one specific example.
• Please provide two (2) examples of how this Academic Professional nominee has exemplified Student Affairs' organizational values.
  • Student Affairs values include Student Centered, Justice, Learning, Wellness and Integrity. Your answer does not need to address all of the values listed above.

• Describe how this Outstanding New Staff nominee has gone above and beyond the primary duties of their job to support students and/or co-workers. Your response to this question should include details of at least one specific example.
• Describe how this Outstanding New Staff Member Award nominee has delivered innovative, creative and exceptional service to students and/or Student Affairs. Your response to this question should include details of at least one specific example.
• Why do you feel this individual should be recognized as a promising future leader within Student Affairs at Illinois? Your response to this question should include details of at least one specific example.

• In what ways does this program reflect and strengthen Student Affairs' values? (Student Affairs' values include Student Centered, Justice, Learning, Wellness and Integrity. If you would like to view the new 2021–2026 Strategic Plan, please follow the link above).
  • Provide two specific examples in your answer. The examples do not need to address all of the listed values.
• Please list the goals of the program and describe any evidence or data that shows how effective the program was at meeting its goals.
• Describe how this program has had a positive impact on student and/or staff learning, transitions, retention or success at Illinois. Please provide at least one specific example, citing evaluation data if you have it.

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Chris Schlarb

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
GENDER & SEXUALITY RESOURCE CENTER 

Chris has delivered innovative, creative, and truly exceptional service to students and Student Affairs through their visionary leadership, deep commitment to equity, and ability to translate identified student needs into impactful, collaborative action. As a new staff member, Chris has already demonstrated a level of initiative and strategic thinking that has resulted in meaningful, sustainable improvements to LGBTQ+ student health and wellness at the University of Illinois. A standout example of Chris’s innovation is their authorship of the successful proposal for the Innovative and Inclusive Excellence Collaboration Grant. Chris independently conceptualized, researched, and wrote the proposal that was awarded $5,000 for the 2025–26 academic year to support LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Initiatives. This achievement reflects not only creativity, but also an exceptional ability to align student needs with institutional priorities and funding opportunities.

Chris is a promising future leader within Student Affairs at Illinois because they consistently lead with values, vision, and action. Their work reflects a deep commitment to being student centered, advancing justice, fostering learning, supporting wellness, and operating with integrity—all hallmarks of effective and ethical leadership in Student Affairs. Even early in their career, Chris has demonstrated the ability to assess needs, design meaningful solutions, and implement sustainable practices that elevate both student experiences and departmental effectiveness.

One of the clearest examples of Chris’s leadership is their work redesigning the LGBTQ+ Ally Training. When Chris was hired in 2024, the GSRC was not facilitating its own LGBTQ+ Ally Training; instead, a different course was being led by counselors and staff across campus. Chris was tasked with assisting in a revamp of the training, and they approached this responsibility with initiative, creativity, and a clear leadership mindset. After reviewing existing materials, Chris did not simply revise the content, they created an entirely new training. The redesigned LGBTQ+ Ally Training features a new curriculum, updated learning outcomes, and a refreshed presentation format grounded in current best practices. Importantly, Chris integrated a robust assessment component to measure participant learning and program impact. This work reflects Chris’s commitment to learning and integrity, ensuring that educational efforts are both meaningful and accountable, and demonstrates their capacity to lead large scale educational initiatives.

Award Criteria

The Outstanding New Staff Award recognizes individuals for exceptional service or special accomplishments in Student Affairs at the University of Illinois. This award will be presented to a new staff member who:

• has been employed full time as a staff member (Academic Professional, Open Range, or Civil Service) in Student Affairs at Illinois for three years or less
• goes above and beyond to support students and/or co-workers
• is innovative, creative, and delivers outstanding service to students and/or Student Affairs
• is viewed as a promising leader within Student Affairs

Reviewed and scored by: OSPA Committee Members

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Sarah Miller

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 
STUDENT AFFAIRS  

Sarah genuinely cares about the students we serve and firmly believes in the impact of our work. I have countless examples of how Sarah went above and beyond to support students, but perhaps the most telling is this: no matter what she was doing—even if she was in the middle of a conversation with her director—if a student approached the front desk, she would immediately pause, walk over, greet them, and ask how she could help. Her guiding principle was “students come first,” and she demonstrated that consistently.

Sarah is a consummate learner who has dedicated herself to excelling in every role she holds. Too often, administrative support staff do not take full advantage of professional development opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills. Sarah, however, is one of the most enthusiastic learners I have ever encountered and is always striving to “know more.” The university and Student Affairs offer many opportunities for professional growth, and Sarah sought to engage in all of them. She enrolled in additional trainings, attended conferences, submitted proposals to present, and worked continuously to strengthen not only her administrative skill set but also her understanding of mental health and diversity. As a result, her professional development extended far beyond job advancement; it deepened her ability to help build a community of care for students.

Sarah exemplifies the very best of Student Affairs professionals. She consistently centers students in her work and sees herself not as a bystander, but as someone who plays an essential role in their success and in strengthening the campus community. Quite simply, Sarah makes a difference.

Award Criteria

The Outstanding Staff Awards recognize unique contributions and achievements of individuals who advance the mission of Student Affairs at the University of Illinois. One to a Civil Service award will be presented this year to a recipient who:

• go above and beyond to support students and/or co-workers
• consistently provide excellent service to students and/or Student Affairs
• exemplify the Values of Student Affairs: student centered, justice, learning, wellness, and integrity

Reviewed and scored by: OSPA Committee Members

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Jerry Ogbudimkpa

DIRECTOR OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS COORDINATOR
MCKINLEY HEALTH CENTER 

Jerry Ogbudimkpa consistently goes above and beyond the primary duties of his role, earning widespread respect across Student Affairs, the campus, and the broader community. As Director of Health Education at McKinley Health Center, Jerry provides genuine, active, and compassionate support to both students and colleagues. His commitment to exceptional service is evident in every aspect of his work. Jerry works closely with his staff, the Special Populations’ Student Advisory Committee, and the Special Populations Advisory group to ensure high-quality services, strong advocacy, and continual program improvement. He is tireless in his efforts to ensure that underrepresented students have access to the health services, education, and advocacy they need not only to succeed at the University but to maintain their long-term well-being.

Through this work, Jerry has established himself as a leader within McKinley Health Center, throughout Student Affairs, and across campus. A passionate advocate for student voice, Jerry is deeply committed to shared governance. He involves students in decision-making and in the planning and execution of initiatives, empowering them to take ownership of their health and leadership development. Jerry provides guidance and leadership for major programs such as the annual campus health fair, as well as for events organized by student groups. In his mentorship and supervision, he instills values of excellence, honesty, and integrity—values his students admire and consistently rise to meet because they know he believes in their potential.

Jerry is an outstanding staff member whose work aligns seamlessly with the mission, vision, and values of Student Affairs. His commitment to inclusion and wellness has been evident for more than 20 years. Through his leadership, he established a network of programming, services, and outreach efforts for special populations, supported by a student-led group and advisory committee. He works closely with the cultural houses and identity-based centers to deliver critical health information, resources, and support tailored to the needs of underrepresented students.

Throughout his career, Jerry has created and supported numerous programs that advocate for the health concerns of minority, first-generation, international, and other underserved student populations. His passion for ensuring that all students have access to preventive health education goes far beyond the formal expectations of his role. He is relentless in ensuring every student—especially those who face systemic barriers—has the tools and knowledge needed to thrive.

Award Criteria

The Outstanding Staff Awards recognize unique contributions and achievements of individuals who advance the mission of Student Affairs at the University of Illinois. One Academic Professional award will be presented this year to a recipient who:

• go above and beyond to support students and/or co-workers
• consistently provide excellent service to students and/or Student Affairs
• exemplify the Values of Student Affairs: student centered, justice, learning, wellness, and integrity

Reviewed and scored by: OSPA Committee Members

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Study Buddy

THE JEFFRIES CENTER

Monica Brigham, Advising & Mentoring Student Success Advisor, recognized a gap in student support after speaking with students who were enrolled in the same courses but struggled to study effectively and understand course concepts. In response, she created Study Buddy—a program designed to elevate academic performance through structured peer collaboration, shared problem-solving, and community building. The program focuses on high-demand, high-support courses such as CHEM 101 & 102, STAT 100, and MATH 115, 220, 221, 231, and 241. Each week, students gather on Tuesdays at the Academic Service Programs building for guided sessions supported by Advising & Mentoring staff. This program strengthens Student Affairs’ values in several meaningful ways.

First, Study Buddy reflects the value of being Student Centered. Monica listened closely to students’ needs, recognized that they lacked collaborative study support, and responded by creating a space where they could learn from one another and build confidence in challenging courses. Her approach demonstrated a commitment to meeting students where they are and designing solutions based on their lived experiences.

Second, the program embodies the values of Learning and Wellness. Through peer-to-peer teaching, students deepen their understanding of course concepts while developing essential academic skills. At the same time, the collaborative environment reduces stress and isolation by giving students a supportive community where they can openly discuss challenges, seek encouragement, and celebrate progress together. This holistic approach strengthens both academic growth and emotional well-being, aligning directly with Student Affairs' mission to support the whole student with integrity and care.

Let’s take a moment to listen to our students in their own words about the impact of Study Buddy:

• Student #1: “I have developed better study habits with help from my friends at Study Buddy such as new ways to study for exams. I have met a couple of new people at Study Buddy which I like because I get to interact with more people.”
   
• Student #2: “Ms. Monica is like a school mom, she helps me academically and socially, so TJC is like my home away from home.”
   
• Student #3: “I was able to meet Ms. Monica, and she has helped me so much with not only academic success but also personal problems as well. I felt welcome whenever I came.”

Award Criteria

The Outstanding Program Award will be presented to a Student Affairs program that demonstrates creativity, innovation, and appeals to a diverse body of students or staff. The program must be offered in 2022-2023. (since funds awarded are for the upcoming year). The primary goal of the program must be Student Affairs-related. Individual academic courses are not eligible, however, the program may have an academic component. The program can be for students or staff; can be ongoing or an event; offer a service and be of any size. The program must impact University of Illinois students. In order to be considered, the program should:

• have had a positive impact on student and/or staff learning, transitions, retention or success at Illinois.
• exemplify the Values of Student Affairs: student centered, justice, learning, wellness, and integrity
• be effective with relation to its stated goals

Reviewed and scored by: OSPA Committee Members

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First Year Training Experiences

WOMEN'S RESOURCES CENTER & DIVERSITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

The Women's Resources Center and Diversity and Social Justice Education each oversee an expected program for incoming undergraduate students (FYCARE & I-Connect, respectively) that are designed to promote healthy behaviors and a cultivate a welcoming campus community. Through anonymous pre & post tests, students are able to provide both qualitative and quantitative feedback about their knowledge, previous experiences, and perceptions of the programs. While FYCARE & I-Connect are separate programs, the coordinating staff work closely together to create collaborative datasets that enable comparative benchmarks and more comprehensive storytelling about students' experiences at the University of Illinois.

Furthermore, the staff work closely together to make data-informed decisions about assessment strategy. For example, when DSJE was seeing a much higher response rate for their post-tests, the WRC adapted their strategy of completing the post-test live in the workshop, rather than following up via email. This change led to an increase in completion rate from 5% to 93%.

In addition to using the data internally to make informed decisions about curriculum and training updates, WRC and DSJE staff also share their findings with key partners, including peer educators (to share feedback on their performance and address areas of concern), with campus partners (with individual partners and more broadly at conferences), and with participants themselves (in the form of a social norming campaign, highlighting to students that their perceptions of others' experiences may not in fact be the reality). Utilizing pre-test data for a social norming campaign and then sharing it back with participants is an innovative strategy to use data to open up conversations and change perspectives.

Award Criteria

The Student Affairs Assessment Champion award recognizes an individual who uses assessment practices to productively build a culture of assessment in their area. An Assessment Champion may accomplish this in a variety of ways, all of which are worthy of recognition.

An Assessment Champion may do one or more of the following in the course of their work:

• Craft new and exciting ways to gather and analyze assessment data.
• Use assessments to inform strategic decision-making.
• Share data insights to inform others and prompt action.
• Encourage others to always use data-informed decision-making.
• Serve as a resource for others in developing assessment resources.
• Collaborate with other units and departments to expand data insights.

Reviewed and scored by: Assessment Committee Members

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MK Kim

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ADVOCACY
WOMEN'S RESOURCES CENTER

As the Assistant Director of Advocacy at the University of Illinois’ Women’s Resources Center, MK is a leader in the development and implementation of survivor/victim support services and resources. MK serves as one of the University’s designated campus Confidential Advisors, often referred to as survivor advocates, and provides trauma-informed case management, crisis intervention, and survivor-centered advocacy for student, staff, and faculty survivors of sexual misconduct.

In her role, MK coordinates confidential advising appointment intake and scheduling. She navigates survivor rights and options within University and community systems and serves as a hearing advisor for survivors choosing to participate in campus disciplinary processes, and appeals. The WRC has navigated this past academic year without a 3rd Confidential Advisor. We have seen an astronomical increase in the number of students seeking services from our office. During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, WRC staff provided 428 hours (a 73% increase from FY24) of confidential advising to 171 unique clients (a 36% increase from FY24). MK individually supported 50% of these students. MK has ensured our students do not feel the impact of the WRC being short confidential advising staff. She prioritizes access to services and our students’ need to meet with a Confidential Advisor as promptly as possible and is the first to set down another task to meet with a survivor who walks into the WRC without an appointment.

As a tireless advocate for survivors of sexual violence, she has helped hundreds of individual students navigate the complex, intimidating and difficult worlds of legal and medical institutions and the University of Illinois, all while centering the needs of the survivor. She is quick to support students in crisis. MK is consistently dedicating countless hours into research on safe housing options, working with campus partners to provide academic support, advising students through the disciplinary process, and providing emotional support to clients. She is a fierce advocate for her students and is not afraid to demand better of the systems our survivors interact with.

The Outstanding Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes individuals for exceptional advocacy, service, or accomplishment advancing social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging activities in Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Award Criteria

• Individual goes above and beyond to promote, create, or support experiences which center diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for students and/or staff.
• Staff member delivers outstanding service to students and/or staff related to equity, inclusion, belonging, or social justices.
• Individual is viewed as a leader on social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or belonging within Student Affairs at Illinois.

Reviewed and scored by: Inclusive Excellence Committee Members

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Inclusive Solutions 

UNIVERSITY HOUSING

The Inclusive Solutions program was created to ensure students with severe dietary restrictions, including but not limited to food allergies, celiac disease, and other medically linked conditions that impact diet, have access to safe food at every Dining location. The program has two components: a top 9 allergen- and gluten-friendly micro restaurant and buffet (available at the two largest Dining Halls, Ikenberry and Illinois Street), and a custom orders program (available for all University Housing Dining Halls, including a custom orders allergy kitchen embedded within LAR's Certified Kosher kitchen for students with these intersecting needs). Staff receive several tiers of training, and are trained regularly, and ingredients used are verified by University Housing's Registered Dietitians directly with the manufacturers prior to approval for use in either program.

The Inclusive Solutions program creates a welcoming campus climate for these students by highlighting that their safety and meal satisfaction is not just a priority, it's the norm throughout our spaces. The buffet-style options in the largest all-you-care-to-eat Halls is available to all of our diners (not just those with significant dietary restrictions), and the Chef-designed menus are popular enough to be served to a significant volume of our diners daily--all while maintaining strict safety precautions and utilizing a we-serve-you model. And for those DRES-registered students who may not find the buffet option appealing or appropriate for their needs on a given day, they are also welcome to choose from a custom orders menu where they build their own meals through an app on their phone and submit orders directly to the Dining Hall. The accessibility of these resources, and volume and extent of staff training, aims to create a Dining environment where students do not feel burdened by their restrictions, and do not feel singled out or like a burden themselves if they have additional needs.

The Outstanding Inclusive Excellence Program will be presented to a student-centered program which inspires learning related to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, or belonging in Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Award Criteria

• The programmatic experience should contribute to (1) a welcoming campus climate, (2) a sense of belonging or inclusion, and (3) a socially just and equitable UIUC community.
• The programmatic experience should be well-aligned with at least one core Student Affairs value (i.e., student-centered, justice, integrity, and learning).
• The programmatic experience should provide evidence demonstrating how it achieved its intended outcomes (i.e., include a statement of the program’s intended outcomes and evidence showing how it achieved those outcomes).

Reviewed and scored by: Inclusive Excellence Committee Members

Nominees for Civil Service & Academic Professional

Civil Service

• Stephanie Cardoza-Cruz
• Glenda Sue Dalton
• Valerie Williams

Academic Professional

• Jazmyne Kellogg
• Jeffery Lindsey
• Yolanda Williams-Goliday

Nominees for New Staff Member & Program

New Staff Member

• Kelli Blanden
• Rebecca Hodson
• Xiangyi Liu
• Amy Thoren
• Sean Wilson

Assessment Project

• Counseling Center — Client Feedback Surveys

Program

• Inclusive Solutions

Nominees for Inclusive Excellence Staff & Program

Staff Member

• Yolanda Williams-Goliday
• Kellie Blanden

Program

• Fall Break Cooking with Chefs
• Inclusion & Leadership Spring Break Trip
• LGBTQ+ Welcome / Queers on the Quad