‘You make campus a pleasant and welcoming place’

December 1, 2025

At the Chancellor’s Staff Recognition Awards ceremony, the university community shared a meal, camaraderie and thanks for a job well done.

As the UM-Dearborn community prepares for commencement and the holiday season, university leadership took time to recognize staff across campus for going above and beyond for UM-Dearborn students and the community.

The Chancellor's Staff Recognition Awards honors the achievements of staff members across campus whose hard work, dedication to excellence and push for innovation make significant contributions to the mission of the university. It also recognizes staff who have milestone service years — from five to 40 this year. The event took place Nov. 19 in the Renick University Center. Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta welcomed the crowd to the breakfast award ceremony, recognizing staff as the backbone of the university.

“Many of you work directly with our students — advising them, mentoring them, counseling them, ensuring they have all the support they need throughout their educational and personal journey. Many others of you keep our operations running smoothly — making sure our prospective students and the broader community know all we offer,” she said. “You make campus a pleasant and welcoming place to be.”

A group of well-dressed men and women sit on a stage while a man in a suit speaks at a podium

Two women hug while laughing at a recent campus event

A. smiling woman with brown hair and a yellow sweater shows an glass award to a group of people

A large crowd of people gather in a room and sit at white table-clothed tables

A group of staff members gather together while holding awards

Two people stand and clap for their colleagues at a recent staff awards banquet

Seven awards honored UM-Dearborn staff, selected from a pool of nominations that were up 25% from last year. As awardees' names were read, young children cheered for their parents, supervisors wiped away happy tears and colleagues stood and clapped.

“It always brings me great joy helping others shine. However, being on the receiving end of all the congratulatory emails and chats feels nice as well. Our campus knows how to make me feel like George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’,” said Human Resources Coordinator Jessica Calderón, as she accepted the Essential Support Award.

Scarlatta also noted that staff service longevity is a reflection of a strong campus community. Scarlatta — who has worked on campus for nearly three decades herself — said the combined years of service among the staff receiving recognition was 790 years.

Here are the 2025 award winners.

Advancing the Mission Award

Environmental Interpretive Center team Dale Browne, Laura Mallard, Dorothy McLeer, Mike Solomon and Rick Simek

A group of six people stand together for a portrait — From left to right: Dale Browne, Laura Mallard, Dorothy McLeer, Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta, Mike Solomon and Rick Simek

Here’s what a nominator said:

“Since the EIC opened in 2001, over a quarter million people have visited our space or participated in our programs. I have watched the staff tackle a diversity of problems, streamline processes and exhibit a willingness to contribute to change. As individuals, the staff have received a number of regional and national awards for excellence in environmental interpretation and education, shining a bright light on UM-Dearborn's impact on southeastern Michigan."

Dearborn Victor Award

Brandon Wulf, business administrator senior, CASL Dean's Office

A man and woman stand together with an award trophy — Brandon Wulf and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

Here’s what a nominator said:

“By going beyond formal orientation processes and fostering individual connections, Brandon ensures every new staff member feels seen, included and truly valued as part of the university community. He demonstrates an unwavering dedication to creating a truly inclusive campus atmosphere where everyone feels they belong. Numerous new hires have remarked on how Brandon's kindness, patience and willingness to share his knowledge made a meaningful difference in their transition."

Essential Support Award

Jessica Calderón, human resources coordinator, Office of Human Resources

Two women stand together with an award for excellent service to the university — Jessica Calderón and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

From Jessica's nomination:

"She has a remarkable gift for making people feel valued, seen and heard, whether they are new employees, student workers or long-standing colleagues. Jessica takes the time to get to know individuals personally, learning about their interests and aspirations — and then uses that knowledge to connect them with opportunities and communities on campus. Her support does not stop at the office door; she is present at student events, academic milestones and campus and community gatherings, showing encouragement and celebrating the successes of others."

Innovation Award

Kathryn Bourlier, digital marketing manager, External Relations

Two women stand next to each other holding a blue-tinted glass award — Kathryn Bourlier and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

From Kathryn's nomination:

“Social media is one of the foremost ways prospective students and others learn about, and stay connected with, UM-Dearborn. Kathryn continues to drastically improve our presence across social media channels, devising new, creative and strategic methods for engaging audiences. She monitors trends and comes up with new ideas based on what she's learned, as well as offers informed guidance to others. She continues to expand her role as an invaluable resource and co-strategist to others on campus, ensuring that not just the main UM-Dearborn channels, but the college, unit, department and program channels, all reflect a coherent brand and strategy."

Keystone Service Award

Lisa Remsing-Hall, academic advising director, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Two smiling women stand next to each other with a glass trophy that honors staff excellence — Lisa Remsing-Hall and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

What a nominator said about Lisa:

"Lisa has been the driving force behind transformative and lasting improvements to undergraduate advising and student support in CECS. Through her vision and leadership, she reshaped the very identity of the unit, reframing its mission and renaming it the Office of Advising and Academic Success (from Office of Student Records and Advising) to reflect a broader, more student-centered purpose. When Lisa joined CECS in 2012 as director of advising, her office was a small operation. The Office of Advising and Academic Success now supports nearly 1,900 undergraduate CECS students and held more than 2,800 one-on-one student meetings in 2024-2025."

Rising Star Award

April Marvin, marketing and digital content specialist, CASL Dean's Office

Two women take a photo together while holding a blue glass trophy for staff excellence — April Marvin and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

Here what April's nomination said:

“April's impact on the CASL team has been transformative. She serves as a communication bridge between internal teams and external campus units, translating expectations clearly and advocating for CASL's interests. The college's social media accounts are more active and engaging under her direction. Follower counts are up, engagement has increased and the content stands out as fresh, consistent and innovative. April elevates CASL's visibility and identity on social media and in our physical spaces, contributing directly to the university's broader outreach goals and making our work environment more welcoming."

Student Success Award

Rick Morrone, instructional learning assistant, CASL’s Department of Language, Culture and the Arts

A man in a blue shirt and a woman in a cream-colored suit smile for a photo together while holding a blue-hued glass trophy — Rick Morrone and Chancellor Gabriella Scarlatta

From Rick’s nomination:

“In addition to sharing his knowledge and experience with students, he is warm, fun and sensitive. He will often participate in student projects as an actor or join in class activities with students to demonstrate the spirit of collaboration, but also because he enjoys the experience. It's been remarkable to have Rick as a student at UM-Dearborn and then bring him back as a staff member and see how he has grown and continues to grow. I can't say enough positive things about him, and he is incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

Here are the staff service milestone honorees.

5-year milestone anniversary

A group of well-dressed professionals hold a sign that says "5 Years of Service"

Samyka Aloyo, Daniel Blacker, Violet Dashi, Erin Huckestein, Delon Jackson, Andrew Kruley, Horia Marcu, Michelle Rahman, Jessica Riviere, Vessela Vassileva-Clarke

10-year milestone anniversary

A group of professionals stand together and hold a sign that says "10 Years of Service"

Bailey Ayers-Korpal, Laurie Bedigian, Dan Clark, Kelly Cronin, Jacklyn Dani, Courtney Duffy, Zachary Eversole, Amanda Hill, Claudia Lugo-Meeks, Kerri Madeleine, Jaclyn McBride, Sean Murphy, Stacy Poole, Justin Popov, Vahe Sahakyan, Pajtim Shparthi, Tasha Smith, Liz Swaynie, Erin Vickey, Adam Zehel

15-year milestone anniversary

A group of professionally dressed. staff stand together with a sign that says "15 Years of Service"

Lorie Domingue, Waleed Issa, Ken Kettenbeil, Kevin Lewtschanyn, Anita Miller, Marsha Miller, Lori Ormsby, Lorri Proudlock

20-year milestone anniversary

A group of well-dressed staff stand together with a sign that reads "20 Years of Service"

Rebekah Awood, Rachel Buzzeo, Lusine Hambardzumyan, Jonathan Larson, Gary Pastiva, Joanna Tennant, Robin Wagner

25-year milestone anniversary

A group of well-dressed staff stand together with a sign that reads "25 Years of Service"

Rima Berry-Hung, Shelly Harris, James Raredon

30-year milestone anniversary

Well-dressed staff members stand together with a sign that reads "30 Years of Service"

Kurt Cafini, Gerald Ottenbreit, Jr.

35-year milestone anniversary

Katharine Markotan, Ronald Przybylski

40-year milestone anniversary

Bonnie Southerland

The Staff Recognition Committee coordinates the nominating process, recommends recipients for each award and arranges the ceremony. Members of the committee include chair Jackie Kortes, co-chairs Rachel Buzzeo, Sheryl Kubiak and Diane Sigler, consultant Michelle Barnes, Jessica Calderon, Nick Capul, Julie Faust, Kari Kowalski, Shari Marshall, Sherie Modelski and Celia Robinson.

Story by Sarah Tuxbury; photos by Matthew Stephens

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters College of Business College of Education, Health, and Human Services College of Engineering and Computer Science Human Resources Awards Faculty and Staff Faculty & Staff Distinction