Annual Year End Staff Awards
Service Honorees
(For service through June 30, 2026)
5 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Sara Whisler | Senior Administrative Assistant | Southeastern Grasslands Initiatives |
| Dyana Taylor | Senior Administrative Assistant | GIS Center |
| Kevin Fee | Coordinator, Academic - Teacher Licensure | College of Education |
| Kyle Christmas | Executive Director of Accreditation and Compliance | Office of Academic Affairs |
| Blaire Woodring | Director, Academic Support & Enrichment Initiatives | Center for Academic Support and Enrichment |
| Charde' Hudspeth | Director, Student Success | Academic Advisement |
| George Watt | Coordinator, Student Success | Academic Advisement |
| Arturo Corcoles | Specialist, Dual Enrollment | Dual Enrollment |
| Michele Tamayo | Academic Administrative Assistant | Criminal Justice |
| Elaina Russell | Director, Communications | Dean College of Business |
| Brittany Young | Head Coach, Women's Basketball | Basketball Women |
| JaCenda Robinson | Chief Human Resources Officer | Human Resources |
| Michael Knorr | Senior Electrician | Building Maintenance |
| Walter Lord | Vice President, Military Veteran's Affairs | VP Military Veterans Affairs |
| Melissa Martin | Specialist, VEB | Veterans Education Benefits |
| Scotty Martin | Coordinator, Academics - Veterans Upward Bound | Veterans Upward Bound |
| LaTara Pearson | Military Affiliated Student Success Professional | Office of Military Veterans Affairs |
| Edgar Maldonado | Communication Specialist, Military & Veteran's Affairs | Military VA Recruiting and Marketing |
| Lenora Jackson | Executive Assistant | Presidents Office |
| Mike Licari | President | Presidents Office |
| Michael Johansen | Specialist, Housing Support | Housing Administration |
| Emmanuel Mejeun | Program Director, Full Spectrum Learning | Full Spectrum Learning |
| Delaney Atkins | Coordinator, Student Success | University College |
| Tipnie Mack | Program Director, Veterans Upward Bound & Educational Opportunity Center | Veterans Upward Bound |
| Samantha Davis Jensen | Senior Administrative Assistant | Housing/Residence Life & Dining Services |
| Cassie Fitzpatrick | Coordinator, Academics - Study Abroad and International Exchange | Study Abroad and International Exchange |
10 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Jessica D'Alimonte | Executive Assistant | Office of Academic Affairs |
| Dana Alley | Administrative Assistant | Admissions |
| Jill Endsley | Financial Aid Assistant | Student Financial Aid |
| Veronica Prescott | Assistant Director, Education Opportunity Center | Educational Opportunity Center |
| Mary Biggers | Senior Academic Administrative Assistant | Dean College of STEM |
| Jamie McCrary | Director, Disability Student Success Center | Disability Student Success Center |
| Benjamin Pollard | Specialist, Accounts Payable | Accounting Services |
| Jarrod Jackson | Library Associate | Library |
| Greg Lane | Coordinator, Cadet Success | Military Science & Leadership (ROTC) |
| Matthew Cox | Sergeant | Public Safety |
| Michelle Fraley | Academic Administrative Assistant | Music |
| Brian Fairfield | IT Technician | Information Technology |
| James Green | Director, Physical Plant and Maintenance | Physical Plant |
| Blayne Clements | Chief Audit Officer | Chief Internal Audit |
| Sarah Clark | Database Administrator | Information Technology |
15 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Allie Michael | Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment | Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment |
| Vanessa Sanford | Specialist Admissions | Admissions |
| Randi Robinson | Executive Director, Financial Aid | Student Financial Aid |
| Kacie De Saint Georges | Executive Director, University Partnerships and Success Initiatives | University Partner and Success Initiatives |
| Matthew Smith | Specialist, Operations | Post Office |
| Margaret Douglas | Director, Student Success | Dean College of Business |
| Sage Disney | Academic Administrative Assistant | Political Science & Public Management |
| Karen Runyon | Grants Accountant | Accounting Services |
| Lois Culwell | Assistant Director of Procurement | Procurement |
| Fonda Fields | Director, Human Resources | Human Resources |
| Tom Hutchins | Executive Director, Physical Plant Department | Physical Plant |
| Khristopher Rittenberry | Horticulture Technician | Landscaping |
| April Williams | Legal Assistant | Office of Legal Affairs |
20 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Sibrena Merriam | Graduation & Degree Works Analyst | Registrar |
| Towanja Williams | Associate Registrar | Registrar |
| Melissa Conwell | Program Director, Tri-County Upward Bound & TRiO Student Support Services | Tri-County Upward Bound |
| Ana Ortega | Academic Administrative Assistant | Educational Specialties |
| Darci Bateman | Academic Administrative Assistant | Leadership |
| Jean Langley | Coordinator, Field Biology Operations | Biology |
| Amy Tanner | Supervisor, Accounts Receivable | Student Account Services |
| Thomas Smyth | Systems Administrator | Information Technology |
| Kathrine Bailey | Director, Strategic Initiatives | Office of Legal Affairs |
| Sharon West | Care & Conduct Coordinator | Community Care and Standards |
| Jasmine O'Brien | Coordinator, Curriculum | Office of Academic Affairs |
25 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Elizabeth Stonerock | Director, Veterans Education Benefits & Compliance | Veterans Education Benefits |
| Carol Clark | Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees | Chief of Staff |
| Sondra Hamilton | Associate Vice President for Budget & Finance | Associate VP Budget and Finance |
| Cecelia Mandrell | Academic Administrative Assistant | Psychological Science and Counseling |
30 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Debbie Shearon | Director of Academic Finance/Administration | Office of Academic Affairs |
| Amy Corlew | Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management | Admissions |
| Jan Suiter | Senior Specialist, Operations | Warehouse |
| Kathleen Evans | Administrative Assistant | Student Recreation Center |
35 years:
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Lynne Halliburton | Executive Assistant | Office of Philanthropy |
| Geraldine Garner | Specialist, Senior Travel | Accounting Services |
| Rose Austin | Director, Student Account Services | Student Account Services |
| Tammy Bryant | Director, Assessment, Planning, and Communications | Student Affairs |
40 years
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Denise Hemingway | Coordinator, Library Collections and Resources | Library Office |
Governors Excellence Award
Kyle Christmas
Sam Mynhier
Sara Robson
Phil Minshew
Jana Gilbert
Ana Pla Rosario
Donna Lucas
Presidential Leading through Excellence Award
Niesha Campbell
Presidential Leading through Excellence Award
As part of a joint collaboration between The Office of Human Resources and Staff Senate, this award will recognize full-time administrative/professional staff members who report directly to members of the Senior Leadership Team. The top three finalists will be submitted to the President and will result in the recognition of one employee.
Nominees must demonstrate excellence toward achieving the strategic initiatives of APSU in areas such as leadership, collaboration, commitment, and/or innovation as outlined in the award criteria.
Click here to view APSU Strategic Plan.
Nominations will be open from May 4 - May 15, 2026.
Nominations will not be accepted after May 15, 2026.
Nominations will be reviewed by the Staff Senate Awards Committee. Winners will be announced at the 2026 Staff Excellence and Service Awards on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Requirements:
- Nominee must report directly to members of the Senior Leadership Team
- Nominee must be a full-time administrative/professional employee
- Staff Senate Awards Committee members are not eligible for nomination
- Nominations must reflect contributions within the July 2025 – June 2026 time frame
- The Eligible Employees tab contains all employees who can be nominated for this award
- Nominee must be in good standing, and not received a performance improvement plan or disciplinary action within specified time frame
Employees Eligible for the Presidential Leading through Excellence Award
| Employee | Title | Department |
| Kimberly Adkison | Chief of Staff, Alumni, Engagement & Philanthropy Operations | Alumni, Engagement, and Philanthropy |
| Brad Averitt | Associate Vice President, Alumni, Engagement & Philanthropy | Alumni and Annual Giving |
| Kathrine Bailey | Director of Strategic Initiatives | Office of Legal Affairs |
| Jo Baldwin | Director, Title VI & Title VII Compliance | Chief Institutional Culture |
| Chad Brooks | Vice Provost and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies | College of Graduate Studies |
| Riley Bullen | Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Financial Officer | Athletics Business Office |
| Blayne Clements | Chief Audit Officer | Chief Internal Audit |
| Amy Corlew | Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management | Admissions |
| David Davenport | Assistant VP Health and Well Being | Student Recreation Center |
| Toni-Ann Derby | Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Chief of Staff | Athletic Administration |
| Ben Drummond | Executive Director, Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell | Fort Campbell Center |
| Brandie Duke | Executive Assistant | Chief of Staff |
| Brian Dunn | Senior Director, Communications | Public Relations |
| Hannah Eden | Senior Director, Marketing | Public Relations |
| Jana Gilbert | Senior Director, Brand and Creative Operations | Public Relations |
| Lindsey Gilmore | Associate Vice President for Campus Engagment | Campus Engagement |
| Jayme Glover | Assistant Director, Accessibilty Compliance | Chief Institutional Culture |
| Loretta Griffy | Dean of University College & Associate VP of Academic Affairs | University College |
| Lynne Halliburton | Executive Assistant | Alumni, Engagement, and Philanthropy |
| Sondra Hamilton | Associate Vice President for Budget & Finance | Budget & Finance |
| Corey Harkey | Associate General Counsel | Office of Legal Affairs |
| Jordan Harmon | Deputy Director & Chief Revenue Officer | Athletic Administration |
| Mickey Hepner | Dean of the College of Business | College of Business |
| Buzz Hoon | Dean of College of Arts & Letters | College of Arts & Letters |
| Tom Hutchins | Executive Director | Physical Plant |
| Sherry Lawdermilt | Chief Information Officer | Information Technology |
| Jasmin Linares | Assistant Vice President | Military & Veterans Affairs |
| Michelle Martin | Chief of Staff & Executive Director | Student Affairs |
| John McConell | Dean of the College of Education | College of Education |
| Jamie McCrary | Director, Disability Student Success Center | Disability Student Success Center |
| Kristal McGreggor | Associate Director of Athletics, Student Athlete Success | Athletic and Academic Support Services |
| Karen Meisch | Dean of the College of Science and Math | College of STEM |
| Lee Miller | Executive Assistant | Finance & Administration |
| Lori Moore | Director, Business Operations for Public Relations and Marketing | Public Relations |
| Breanna Morse | Director of Emergency & Risk Management | Emergency Management |
| Felicia Nagel | Assistant Provost & University Registrar | Registrar |
| Ashley Puskas | Coordinator, Institutional Culture | Office of Institutional Culture |
| Marisa Roberts | Executive Director, Veteran's Marketing, Recruitment, and Communications | Military and Veterans Affairs |
| JaCenda Robinson | Chief Human Resources Officer | Human Resources |
| Debbie Shearon | Director of Academic Administration and Finance | Academic Affairs |
| Lisa Sullivan | Senior Vice Provost and Senior Associate Vice President | Academic Affairs |
| April Williams | Legal Assistant | Legal Affairs |
| Dlynn Williams | Dean of the College of Behavioral & Health Sciences | College of Behavioral & Health Sciences |
| Kristie Winters | Chief of Police | Public Safety |
Governors Excellence Award
As part of a joint collaboration between The Office of Human Resources and Staff Senate, this award will recognize staff members who demonstrate excellence in areas such as collaboration, commitment, and/or innovation as outlined in the award criteria.
Click here to view APSU Strategic Plan.
Senior leadership will recognize recipients from several of the following areas: Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, Student Affairs, Legal Affairs & Organizational Strategy, Alumni Engagement & Philanthropy, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Athletics/Other.
Staff members eligible for the Presidential Leadership through Excellence award are not eligible for this award.
Nominations will be open from May 4 - May 15, 2026.
Nominations will not be accepted after May 15, 2026.
Nominations will be reviewed by the Staff Senate Awards Committee. Winners will be announced at the 2026 Staff Excellence and Service Awards on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
Requirements:
- Staff Senate Award Committee members are not eligible for nomination
- Recipients will be recognized from several of the following units: Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, Student Affairs, and Athletics/Other
- Nominations must reflect contributions within the July 2025 – June 2026 time frame
- Staff members eligible for the Presidential Leadership through Excellence award are not eligible
- Nominee must be in good standing, and not received a performance improvement plan or disciplinary action within specified time frame