Here’s what nominators have to say about this year’s Staff Awards recipients

Each year, the University of Denver’s Staff Senate and Human Resources and Inclusive Community recognizes three employees and one department for their outstanding performance and service to the University. The winners are nominated by colleagues and showcase the people who make DU a great place for students, staff, faculty and the community. 

Here’s what nominators had to say about this year’s recipients: 

Outstanding Service Award

Racheal Aragon 

Director of the Cultural Center, BIPOC Student Success, The Cultural Center, Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence 

The Outstanding Service Award is the highest award presented each year and recognizes a person who exemplifies the University of Denver’s mission. This year, Racheal Aragon exemplified integrity and dependability as she led the Joint Council, re-designed the Excelling Leaders Institute, improved processes and programming in The Cultural Center (TCC), and mentored many registered student groups on campus.

• “I appreciate Racheal’s ability to ask questions that are direct and to the point. It is these questions that show how inclusive Racheal is. She is student-focused and system-focused. She wants to positively impact students’ experience and support them.”
• “She is a strong student advocate and in all conversations that she is a part of, she asks how things will impact students.”
• “Students often seek her out and appreciate her support. This year, with what’s happening in the world, students sought Racheal out a great deal. She provided support by listening to students of color’s experiences, and by providing resources and support to students.” 
• “Students felt supported and seen by TCC. They named Racheal as someone who they trust and who is making a difference at DU.”

Quality Department Award

Financial Aid

The Quality Department Award honors the staff of a DU department for their outstanding service to the DU community. This year, the Financial Aid department rose to the monumental challenges presented by FAFSA delays and changes, which resulted in numerous pivots to support DU’s undergraduate and graduate students. While facing the relentless hurdles as widely reported in the press from the FAFSA rollout, the Financial Aid staff sought to maintain a positive and solutions-oriented approach with students, families and campus colleagues.

• “Their roles are some of the most thankless jobs on this campus, but they truly love what they do and do it all with smiles.” 
• “The new FAFSA rollout, even if done relatively error free, required the development of new data upload/download procedures and security access, the implementation of new database tables, and completely rewriting the rules and system processes that verify the financial aid application data and confirm student eligibility.”
• “Their positivity and extra efforts truly benefited students and the entire University in a time of great upheaval caused by the FAFSA rollout.” 
• “The staff exemplified service, patience and care in their work with students this year.”
• “The financial aid team is simply amazing in how they are handled all the FAFSA changes and developed solutions and contingency plans. They put in many hours to develop our responses, revise timelines, re-write communications and rewrite rules within Banner. Truly a team effort!” 

Crimson & Gold Civic Engagement Award

Kate Wyre 

Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The Crimson and Gold Award recognizes a DU employee who demonstrates outstanding commitment to and support of the University. In her role as a recruitment and admissions coordinator, Kate Wyre aims to support and cultivate connections for incoming graduate students within CAHSS and across DU. She volunteers extensively across DU with the CAHSS Staff Committee and Staff Senate as well as in the local community. 

• “Kate prioritizes the needs of our students and volunteers her time assisting Student Disability Services (SDS) during finals to help provide exam testing services. SDS is an on-campus program that works with students to provide accommodations to afford equal opportunity and full participation in University programs for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities.”
• “Kate shows up for current and potential graduate students in a way that is caring, heartfelt and knowledgeable—and those students she has worked with have expressed deep gratitude at Kate’s willingness to help, knowledge about DU and CAHSS, and dedication to their success and wellbeing.”
• “If she’s able or if there’s a need that needs doing, she unhesitatingly answers the call and gives 100%.” 
• “I’ve had employees come to my office to tell me about how they were having a difficult day until Kate stopped by their office to see how they were doing or to have a quick, lighthearted conversation that always seems to end with a laugh and smile.”
• “Through her leadership, involvement and excitement to meet and develop relationships with everyone she meets, Kate has consistently advocated for inclusivity, equity and student well-being, ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard and considered.
• “Her humble, caring and intelligent personality has made her a role model and a resource, both within the College and the greater DU community.”

Staff Innovator Award

Angela K. VanDijk, EdD 

Senior Director, First@DU

The Staff Innovator Award is given to a DU staff member who has demonstrated creativity and innovation in work that advances the University’s strategic plan. Angela VanDijk’s work to support first-generation students has resulted in a robust mentorship program, innovative support systems and, in collaboration with Dr. Melanie Kasparian, research to identify different student experiences that impact inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

• “Dr. Angie was able to map, support and expand where all first-generation mentoring needs could fall. This resulted in an expansion of first-generation mentors hired, the piloting of Crimson Constellation for first-generation, student-to-student interaction, and the use of assessment to evaluate continual impact and needs.”
• “Dr. Angie has worked to create a glossary of university terms or ‘jargon’ for all students to understand and held workshops for admitted students and their families to enhance their knowledge of the college-going process.”
• “I believe this data and work that Dr. Angie is doing will assist DU in breaking down DU silos to create more partnerships, collaboration and innovation.”

For a list of past recipients, visit the Staff Senate website.