Excerpt from nomination:

“Christopher partnered with the Faculty Senate to launch the first-ever faculty/staff mixer, marking a historic collaboration between the two groups. He also initiated a partnership with UTA Athletics, securing SAC’s first cash sponsorship from a UTA vendor. Additionally, he collaborated with TCE to implement the Maverick Momentum Program, UTA’s first mentorship initiative aimed at guiding staff in their career paths or achieving excellence in their current roles. . His efforts have led to significant collaborations and initiatives that benefit the UTA community."

Excerpt from nomination:

“Jecoliah has done an extraordinary job in her outreach to collaborate with music, athletics, engineering, college preparation, and mathematics program directors to understand how she can improve support for their summer and youth programs.  Based on the feedback she received Jecoliah implemented process improvements to streamline delivery of services and increase efficiency of all youth program operations.  Jecoliah’s innovative solutions included the development and delivery of training in the use of a new centralized camp registration system, partnering with peers at other system institutions to identify and implement best program management practices, and updating communication streams to improve accuracy in program marketing.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Mistie has played a pivotal role of the Staff Advisory Council in encouraging and empowering her colleagues. Through her positions as Communications Chair and Vice Chair, she has facilitated open and inclusive communication channels, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Her efforts have significantly contributed to a more engaged and cohesive staff community.

In addition to her work on the Staff Advisory Council, Mistie runs a highly successful book club for the University. Her ability to bring people together through literature has created a vibrant and inclusive space for dialogue and connection. Mistie also served as the Co-Chair of the Women’s Faculty and Staff Network (WFSN), where she broadened knowledge, awareness, and empowerment among her peers.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Dariela has led an initiative this year to help some of our most vulnerable students find a home at UTA. She created the Blaze Forward Network in order to help our Blaze Forward students identify resources and find community at UTA. She has worked hard to select current Blaze Forward students as ambassadors in the peer-to-peer program so new students have an opportunity to find friends and feel part of the Maverick family. She has worked creatively with these ambassadors to market the group, and the different functions they host, so as many students as possible have the chance to attend and feel part of something bigger than themselves. Under her leadership, the ambassadors have created a newsletter that is emailed to all Blaze Forward students so even if they don't attend a function, they can still benefit from the information that is shared.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Toyi manages the essential compliance training program for all UTA employees. She has developed and implemented highly effective training methods that have become a cornerstone of our program.  By creating comprehensive training materials and establishing open lines of communication, she has ensured all employees are well-informed of the compliance standards and expectations of the institution.  Her dedication to simplifying and streamlining the annual training has provided a solid foundation for our entire program, ensuring consistency and clarity across the whole campus. Her effectiveness is best demonstrated in annual compliance training completion rates consistently around 96% for an estimated 7000 employees.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Ms. Jackson serves as an Academic Advisor III for the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. She also serves as a Course Instructor for one UNIV 1101: Career Preparation and Student Success course as well as an inSTEM Coach for a cohort of 15 minority students at UTA majoring in STEM fields. In 2024, Ms. Jackson was honored with a scholarship from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for her significant contributions to higher education. She also received one of six awards at the NACADA Academic Advisor Institute. For ten consecutive years, Ms. Jackson has been nominated for Academic Advisor of the Year, reflecting her unwavering passion and dedication to supporting countless students. Additionally, UTA's Division of Student Affairs acknowledged the positive impact she made on the fall 2024 graduating class. A recent UTA graduate shared, "As my advisor, Ms. Jackson guided me through my course selections, ensuring I stayed on track to complete my degree. I truly appreciate her dedication and the support she provided whenever I needed it. Surprisingly, her efforts do not end there. She actively serves as a mentor to new advisors for both the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN) and National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Along with that, she is an active supporter of UTA's first-generation college students. Collectively, the information that has been shared in this nomination illustrates how Ms. Jackson has positively impacted both students and staff.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Katie consistently demonstrates forward thinking and implements new ways to manage the data she is responsible for in the payroll department. Katie is responsible for Teacher Retirement System (TRS) reporting and employee benefit deductions, which are two very important areas of our department. A couple of years ago, TRS came out with a new portal that completely changed the process and timing of the process, so they allowed grace periods for late reporting. Those grace periods are now over, and many other UTShare schools are panicking about getting penalties, due to the cumbersome system. However, we are submitting timely each month and have nothing to worry about. This is all because of the process Katie developed and the dedicated work she has done to ensure timely and accurate reporting for our employees. Katie has also been a key component to ensuring the reconciliation process for employee benefits runs smoothly when using the benefit focus program for employee deductions. These contributions have not only improved efficiency but has also set a new standard for excellence within the UTShare institutions.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“McKenna Dowd is the program coordinator of the planetarium. She brought a lot of innovative ideas to the program that was instrumental to improve the special events of the planetarium. Last year, she applied NASA Artemis Moon Tree program that led UTA campus to seed a Moon Tree that is now growing in front of the Planetarium building. She worked with a Physics student who is also a musician to get in the network of local bands and artists that allowed us to launch Music Under Stars program. She also created space themed visuals for the local bands that complemented their music. This program is now a unique program that UTA offers monthly to public. McKenna was also instrumental to launch UTA Observatory and offer public programs through UTA's newest telescope. She also created lots of materials to educate public for the DFW total eclipse in 2024.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Lily is the true example of integrity. As a graphic designer, noticing the little things is her thing, but she goes above and beyond in making sure nothing is left undone. She takes others' concerns into account with every design and decision she makes. For example, part of her job is working with the many departments within COLA on their design needs. Whether an administrative assistant or a department chair, Lily shows the highest level of integrity when communicating about edits or steering concepts in a more UTA-branded direction. Regardless of what she is doing, she will be resourceful at finding answers first and foremost. Lily is the one that will take initiative on gathering inspiration on an upcoming project or getting feedback from others.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Qays embodies the principles of integrity and dedication in every aspect of his role. As a Technical Lab Assistant, his responsibilities are pivotal to the smooth functioning of our department's labs, yet his contributions go far beyond his job description. He consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to supporting faculty, staff, and students, always making himself available to help with any task, big or small. His integrity is evident in his consistent adherence to safety protocols and his meticulous attention to detail. These qualities ensure that the lab environments are not only functional but also safe and conducive to learning and research. Qays’s respectful and approachable demeanor fosters a sense of trust and collaboration within the department, making him an invaluable team member.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Vice President Hall consistently goes to bat for his department, advocating for our needs with remarkable tenacity. He understands the intricacies of our challenges and has always been a strong voice in securing the necessary resources. His recent efforts to garner funding for innovative projects and software improvements are prime examples of his dedication. Under his guidance, we have implemented technologies that have streamlined our processes, enhanced productivity, and ultimately improved the quality of service we provide to our others. Moreover, Vice President Hall is genuinely invested in the well-being of our team. He takes the time to listen to concerns, fostering an environment of openness and trust. His proactive approach in addressing issues raised by faculty and staff reflects his commitment to creating a supportive workplace. His leadership style is characterized by collaboration and innovation. He has championed several departmental initiatives that have not only addressed immediate concerns but have also set a strategic vision for the future. His ability to foresee potential challenges and act decisively to mitigate them has positioned departments as a model for excellence within the university.”

Excerpt from nomination:

“Liz has helped to transform the operations of the Division of Student Success in implementing a vision for how we should be conducting business efficiently and strategically. She has onboarded and managed several new positions and we are now completing a strategic planning process internally thanks to her team. Her staff are leading the way on campus creating an assessment professional development series in collaboration with IER. Within her own staff, she is conducting team building for employee engagement through a shared read on assessment and problem solving. Liz is among the most productive staff I have ever worked with in over a decade at UT Arlington. She is not afraid of new challenges and she recognizes the importance of filling in when needed. Her work ethic is unmatched as are her skills in balancing productivity with strategy. She is an excellent manager and practices a philosophy of developing her staff members while empowering them to take ownership of their work. In addition to the items above, Liz has been the campus leader for several enterprise-wide projects. She started and led the effort to launch Experiential Major Maps on campus, documents instrumental in our advising process as well as our degree audits, career engagement, and even seat projections. Liz also was the project lead on MyUTA, the desktop and mobile app interface. This work will continue to transform the campus as it is enhanced.”

• Kierra Godfrey, Accountant III
• Holly Zander, Senior Financial Analyst
• Kimberly Van Arsdale, Project Manager

Excerpt from nomination:

“I am honored to nominate Kierra Godfrey, Holly Zander, and Kimberly Van Arsdale for the Outstanding Maverick Teamwork Award in recognition of their exceptional collaboration on the Regents Research Excellence Program (RREP). The UT System Board of Regents created the RREP to enhance research by funding additional faculty positions. Instead of directly allocating funds to UTA, the Board introduced a funding promise that required a detailed series of steps and multiple approvals for each candidate. Once hired, UTA is responsible for billing the UT System for the exact salary and benefits. If an RREP faculty member departs, funds must be returned, necessitating a restart of the approval process.
 
The Provost enlisted the ARP team to successfully implement this complex program, which included over $13 million in recurring funds and $24 million in one-time funds. Kierra, Holly, and Kim rose to the challenge, developing new forms and processes to collect, document, and track data. They worked with TCE and Accounting Service to develop an effective billing process and protocols for returning funds, all while ensuring compliance with stringent regulations. Their teamwork extended beyond their roles, as they collaborated with various academic and administrative units. For example, Kierra’s analytical skills complemented Holly’s attention to detail, while Kim’s organizational expertise helped streamline workflows. Together, they fostered clear communication and mutual respect, creating an environment where all voices were heard.
 
Their commitment to excellence has allowed them to meet and exceed strategic operational goals, building trust with both the UT System and the Board of Regents. Kierra, Holly, and Kim's collaborative efforts and dedication to improving the University’s research capabilities make them deserving candidates for this award. Their teamwork is truly outstanding!”