2011 Summer Excellence Awards Recipients Announced
Soaring to Excellence
Valarie Robinson, 1st Place – Career Services
Ms. Robinson communicates and interacts with students in a way that expresses her genuine concern for their career
success. This view is supported by the vast amount of praise, recognition and gratitude expressed through “thank
you” cards and emails that she continuously receives from students she has career counseled. Valarie was one of
two Career Services’ staff members mentioned by name in the Spring 2011 Strategic Planning On-Line Survey.
Student comments included; “Career Services is great, and so is Ms. Robinson at Arts and Sciences, she was very
helpful and extremely knowledgeable.” “Valarie Robinson is extremely helpful, always makes time for requests that I
have made; She seems genuinely interested in helping and making herself available.” Valarie not only serves UNF
students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences, she contributes her time and talents to the UNF community
through the following activities: Career Services’ Presenter for the Summer Transfer Student Orientations, Judge for
the Mr. & Mrs. African American Student Union Pageant, Presenter and participant with students as a part of the PreLaw Program Advisory Board, Presenter for the Jacksonville Commitment Program, represented UNF and Career
Services as Co-Presenter for the Duval County Teen Court and she has served on the Theodore & Vivian Johnson’s
Scholarship Committee for students with disabilities. Valarie’s high level of professionalism extends to her relations
with students, faculty, staff and employers.
Bruce Turner, 2nd Place – Academic Center for Excellence
Bruce’s student focus and dedication to offering the best service possible is evident in his everyday work
performance and is inspiring to others. As an Assistant Director in ACE, his work effects both students and staff
throughout the campus on a daily basis. This year he served on the Scholarship Appeals Committee and worked with
Admissions during recruiting events in Boca Raton and Tampa. He provided oversight of the communication process
focused on improving the academic success of the lower division final probation students. He has served on the
University Curriculum Advising and Program Planning Team, the General Education Task Force, presented at the
SunGard Higher Education Summit with Director of Roadmaps, Rachel Broderick, in addition to serving as the
Assessment Officer for the Academic Advising Council. Bruce’s leadership, willingness to share his knowledge and
his commitment to the CAPP team have been instrumental in the nurturing of the academic advising culture on the
UNF campus. ACE Executive Director Karen Reedy said that regardless of what tasks or projects he is working on,
he works outside scheduled work hours to be sure deadlines are met and projects are completed in a timely manner.
Outstanding Achievement
Justin Glennon, 1st Place – Physical Facilities, Landscape and Grounds
Justin came to UNF in December 2008. He brought a new level of professionalism to the irrigation staff and
immediately began to raise the standards of the irrigation system and his team. Most significant is the reduction in
UNF’s irrigation water use and waste. Despite expansion of landscaping on campus, additional buildings and new
properties, the University’s irrigation water consumption was reduced by forty percent in the past five years. Justin’s
attention to detail and self- motivation have led to a rapid team response to problems and a better organized
preventative maintenance program. Justin has taken ownership of UNF’s irrigation system. He takes its successes
and problems very personally.
Trudy Cochrane, 2nd Place – Academic Center for Excellence
Trudy exemplifies the spirit of the Outstanding Achievement Award. She is someone who works extremely hard to
provide great customer service and support for the UNF students and staff. She is not a clock-puncher. She is the
first person to arrive at the office and will stay late as needed. Trudy has been basically performing the job functions
of two full-time staff members, covering for the office assistant vacancy (since February of this year) and her own job
responsibilities. Trudy was the person to volunteer to cover the Night Supervisor hours for the Residence Life/ACE
Pilot of an Evening Tutoring Program from 6PM-11PM, until they could hire for that position. Overall Trudy is very
team spirited and supportive of the UNF and ACE mission.
Quality Customer Service
Child Development Research Center
The Child Development Research Center serves UNF students, faculty and the general public. Children are always
their first priority and their safety is very important. They want the parents utilizing their services to feel secure when
leaving their child at the CDRC, while they work or attend classes. They also offer opportunities on site for parents to
build their parenting skills. This past year, CDRC implemented a new check in system, Pro-Care. It has made
check-in more convenient for parents and improved communication between parents and staff. One Parent wrote, “I
have seen a huge improvement in our son’s overall capabilities. He know loves to read, is always asking questions
on how to spell words, and is very keen to learn new things.” The CDRC Staff promotes positive outcomes for all
children with thoughtful assessment, well implemented curriculum and effective teaching practices.
Spot Award
The following award recipients were “spotted” providing quality service, internal or external to their departments,
which will have a lasting positive effect on students, faculty, staff or visitors:
Pam Niemczyk, Brooks College of Health Dean’s Office
Jocelyn Heck, Career Services
Sherri Charles, Controller’s Office
Jen Muller, Enrollment Services Processing
Laura Fox, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Alison Cruess, Information Technology Services
Oleg Fortun, Information Technology Services
Sophia Estrada-Lucey, Institutional Advancement
Jonathan Vaughn, Institutional Advancement
Ryan Fairbrother, Library
James Rowley, Life Safety Department
Padre Beachem, Physical Facilities
William Carbaugh, Physical Facilities
Jesse Chewning, Physical Facilities
Ernest Gamble, Physical Facilities
Chad Nodine, Physical Facilities
Jim Reid, Physical Facilities
Joe Schermann, Physical Facilities
Michael Trotter. Purchasing
Congratulations to all award recipients. The Excellence Awards Committee will soon announce a call for nominations
for the next award cycle. If you have any questions, please contact Kellie Woodle at kwoodle@unf.edu or 620-1012.
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