USM Board of Regents Staff Awards

The represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents for achievements of exempt and non-exempt staff employees from institutions within the University System of Maryland.

Congratulations TU Finalists!

Andrew Rosenblum, Natasha Sweitzer, Tammie King-Kelly, Lauren Meredith, and Michael Franklin 

This is a staff award. Staff refers to personnel employed by the institution for roles other than teaching.

Award Criteria

For Non-Exempt Staff

The non-exempt staff nominee鈥檚 achievements should focus on the impact the individual has made on their department, institution, or community within one of the award categories specifically for non-exempt staff listed below:

This award showcases individuals who have impacted the broader campus community, reaching outside of their department
Impact could include contributions such as: improving the campus environment, fostering cross sectional collaboration, enhancing campus life, or initiating successful projects that benefit the campus as a whole.

This award highlights a staff member who has put forth effort to cultivate an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported, regardless of their position, status, identities, or other personal attributes.
Recipients of this award actively promote multicultural understanding, equitable practices, and a sense of belonging emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in achieving common goals.

This award highlights exceptional work specific to their position or department, demonstrated by effectiveness in job performance, resulting in significant contributions to their department's goals.

Recipients of this award consistently meet/exceed expectations, display a high level of professionalism, and set a benchmark for quality and excellence within their field.

This award celebrates an individual who consistently demonstrates outstanding collaboration, communication, and support within a team.
Recipients of this award go above and beyond to foster a positive work environment, contribute to collective goals, and uplift their peers. They strive in showcasing a commitment to the success of the entire team rather than just individual achievements.

This award recognizes individuals who not only embody admirable qualities and behaviors but also actively engage in formal or informal mentoring of others.
Recipients of this award embody the values and standards of the organization, inspire colleagues through their actions and attitude, and positively influence the workplace culture.

For Exempt Staff

The exempt staff nominee鈥檚 achievements should focus on the impact the individual has made on their department, institution, or community within one of the award categories specifically for exempt staff listed below:

This award showcases staff who have demonstrated a track record of specific accomplishments over the course of their time working in the University System of Maryland.

Recipients of this award excel in multiple areas such as, but not limited to:

  • implementing creative approaches to improving processes and/or contribute to the
    success of the home unit / institution;
  • staff in non-supervisory roles who provide leadership, team building and/or mentoring;
  • staff in supervisory roles who consistently grow their unit / institution by supporting, mentoring, and advocating on behalf of their direct reports.

This award highlights a staff member who has put forth effort to cultivate an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported, regardless of their position, status, identities, or other personal attributes.

Recipients of this award actively promote multicultural understanding, equitable practices, and a sense of belonging emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in achieving common goals.

This award recognizes exemplary staff with innovative ideas or approaches for leveraging existing resources that, when implemented, serve to further the Efficiency and Effectiveness (E&E) Initiative of the University System of Maryland (USM).

In 2015, USM launched E&E 2.0, which aims to enhance student success, continue innovation in teaching and learning, reengineer administrative processes, and reduce costs.

Complete nomination packets in this category must include (somewhere in the application materials): a brief description of the innovation and its potential benefits and magnitude (single institution, multi-institution, system-wide). The recipient may be invited to address the Board of Regents.

This award celebrates an staff member with a passion for and dedication to a project and/or cause and specific accomplishments that leverage the outreach and service priorities of the institution / system.

Recipients of this award have, throughout their USM career, sustained a collaborative commitment to improving the greater community. The award recognizes contributions in and through their role in the University System of Maryland rather than as a private citizen.

This award recognizes a staff member who has consistently prioritized student success throughout their USM career and has a track record of making a difference and impact in students鈥� lives.

Recipients of this award have consistently led or contributed to programs and initiatives that have positively impacted and/or transformed the student experience.

Along with recognition, final award recipients receive a $2,000 stipend from the USM Board of Regents and all Towson University finalists are honored by the TU president with a $1,000 stipend.

Eligibility

  1. Nominee must be a Staff employee of the University System of Maryland community, including all Staff employees in Regular and Contingent II status.
  2. Nominee must be employed within the University System of Maryland for at least five (5) consecutive years and in an non-exempt or exempt position at TU when the award cycle opens. Recipients of the awards must still be employed at TU at the time the award recipient names are announced.
  3. Chancellor, Presidents, Officers, and Senior Leadership are not eligible. At TU this applies to any staff employee ranked as Vice President or above.

Submit a Nomination

Using the links below, download the forms needed to submit a nomination. Initial nominations are due by a date to be announced, and must include a partially completed cover sheet, a completed and signed position description, and a nomination letter.

Send all three items as a single PDF document to

Well-qualified nominations will be invited to participate further after review by the TU Staff Senate Awards Committee.

Cover Sheet Non-Exempt Nominee (PDF)

Cover Sheet Exempt Nominee (PDF)

Position Description Form Non-Exempt Nominee (PDF)

Position Description Form Exempt Nominee (PDF)

Nomination Letter Template (WORD)

Recommendation Letter Template (WORD)

Past TU Recipients and Nominees

  • Lauren Tigue Meredith (2025)
  • Natasha Sweitzer (2025)
  • Anthony Rosas (2023) - Recipient
  • Jackie Gabrielian (2022) - Recipient
  • Julie Leary (2021) - Recipient
  • George Kram III (2018)
  • George Kram III (2017)
  • Marcie Weinstein (2015)
  • Marcie Weinstein (2014)
  • Steve Kolb (2013) - Recipient
  • Louise Miller (2012)
  • Barb Neal (2011)
  • Andrew Rosenblum (2025)
  • Michael T. Franklin (2025)
  • Kathryn Knaus (2023)
  • Felicity Knox (2022) - Recipient
  • Bobby Zengel (2021)
  • Kelly Ward (2021)
  • Debra Phillips (2020) - Recipient
  • Teresa Hardin (2019)
  • Teresa Hardin (2018)
  • John McKusiak (2017)
  • Karen Fulton (2016)
  • Jackie Gratz (2016)
  • Rick Walsh (2015)
  • Susan Willemin (2014)
  • Susan Weininger (2013) - Recipient
  • Felicity Knox (2013)
  • Jeffrey Klupt (2012)
  • Anne Dahne (2012)
  • Donna Guillot (2011)
  • Barbara Hufnagel (2011)
  • Gail Price (2010)
  • Louise Miller (2010)
  • Marilyn Dannefelser (2009)
  • Samuel Hannigan (2009)
  • Susan Turnbaugh (2007)
  • Jeffrey Klupt (2007)
  • Francine Musotto (2006)
  • Patricia Atkinson (2006)
  • Cyndi Zimmerman (2004) - Recipient
  • Angela Rehrmann (2004)
  • Warren Riefner (2004)
  • Deborah Leather (2004)
  • Laurie Jones (2004)
  • Henry O. Jackson (2024) - Recipient
  • Karen Pottash (2023)
  • Patricia Watson (2021) - Recipient
  • Antwaine Smith (2020) - Recipient
  • Antwaine Smith (2019)
  • Jackie Durbin (2018)
  • Greg Primrose (2017)
  • Katie Simmons-Barth (2016) - Recipient
  • Greg Primrose (2016)
  • Randy Peaker (2015)
  • Bobbie Laur (2015)
  • Jayne French (2014) - Recipient
  • Bobbie Laur (2014)
  • Susan Willemin (2013)
  • Heather Sorensen (2012)
  • Gail Price (2012) - Recipient
  • Bernie Gerst (2011)
  • Karen Fulton (2010)
  • Bernie Gerst (2010)
  • James Spivack (2009)
  • Randy Peaker (2009)
  • James Spivack (2006)
  • Gail Price (2006)
  • Nance Reed (2004)
  • Susanna Craine (2004)
 
  • Cynthia M. Baker (2024)
  • Mary K. Stapleton (2023)
  • Jennifer Stano (2022)
  • Jennifer Stano (2021)
  • Jayne French (2019) - Recipient
  • Susan Willemin (2018) - Recipient
  • Tammie King-Kelly (2025)
  • Tammie King-Kelly (2024)
  • Liz Shearer (2022)
  • Liz Shearer (2021)
  • Marjorie Tversky (2019)
  • Kanji Takeno (2017)
  • Jeannie Mauldin (2016)
  • Lisa Simmons-Barth (2014)
  • Jeffrey Klupt (2013) - Recipient
  • Pat Szymezak (2013)
  • Tracy Miller (2012) - Recipient
  • Mary Mauldin (2012)
  • Patricia Frawley (2011)
  • Stephanie Fowler (2010)
  • Raft Woodus (2009) - Recipient
  • Mary Leeper (2009) - Recipient
  • Barbara Neal (2006)