UMBC Honors and ACHIEVEMENTS

STAFF Achievements
UMBC staff demonstrate exemplary leadership and dedication on campus and in the community.

UMBC was awarded by the State Employee Risk Management Administration (SERMA) for reducing the amount of employee accident claims reported in 2008. UMBC’s reduction in claims was 46%, the highest reduction across the University System of Maryland (USM).

Lisa Akchin, assistant to the president and associate vice president of marketing and public relations, received the 2009 Robert Janes Award from the University of Maryland, College Park Urban Studies and Planning Program. The award is presented to a graduate of the program who has drawn on multiple intellectual disciplines and exercised leadership in planning with disadvantaged communities. Akchin is also vice president of the Baltimore Collegetown Network (BCN) Governing Board. BCN's mission focuses on advocacy, marketing and partnerships that help the Baltimore region attract, engage and retain a robust student population.

UMBC’s Creative Services received an Award of Excellence in the 39th Annual University and College Designers Association Design Competition for UMBC Magazine, and the Undergraduate Viewbook was a winning entry in the In-House Design Competition presented by Graphic Design USA. In both cases, thousands of entries were received. The Design team includes Jim Lord ’99, Michelle Jordan ’93, Erin Ouslander ’03 and Melissa Van der Kaay.

Ellen Hemmerly, Diane Lee and Diane Flanders (Erickson School) were among “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” in 2009 by the Maryland Daily Record. In 2008,Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer was selected to the Record's Top 100 Women list. The award recognizes successful female professionals from many career paths who give back to their professions and their communities by mentoring others and by personal community involvement.

Coordinator and Assistant to the Chair of Psychology Elaine O’Heir ‘81 received the Applied Sociology/Language, Literacy, Culture Outstanding Staff Award from the Graduate Student Association.

Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC Research Park Corporation, was named one of 25 winners of the 2009 SmartCEO Brava! Women in Business Achievement Awards. The program recognizes 25 female CEOs who have been able grow successful companies and actively give back to the community.

The Office of Residential Life received the Association of College and University Housing Officers’ Outstanding Service Award, presented each year to one institution for its contributions to the profession.

Director of Undergraduate Admissions Dale Bittinger was named one of “10 Admissions Deans Who Are Shaping Their Field” by the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2007.

The Office of Institutional Technology’s New Media Studio received the 2008 Center of Excellence award from the New Media Consortium (NMC). The NMC is an international, not-for-profit consortium of over 260 learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies. The studio is led by Bill Shewbridge, and staff includes Video Producer Paul Iwancio and Multimedia Designer Aaron Weidele.

UMBC Upward Bound Director Corris Davis was elected president-elect of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP), which is UMBC’s regional association of TRIO professionals in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. In December 2008, she will officially become a member of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Board of Directors.

Head Basketball Coach Randy Monroe was one of ten finalists for the 2008 Hugh Durham Award, given to the nation’s top Mid-Major coach. He was also named 2008 America East Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

Swimming and Diving Coach Eric Skrabacz received America East’s 2008 Coaches’ Award.

Head Lacrosse Coach Don Zimmerman was Named 2008 America East Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

Baseball Head Coach John Jancuska was Named 2008 America East Baseball Coach of the Year.

The 2009 UMBC Presidential Distinguished Staff Award winners are Sandra Campbell, director of Advancement Operations in the Office of Institutional Advancement, and Suzanne McMillian, executive administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost. The 2008 UMBC winners were Danita Eichenlaub, associate director in the Goddard Earth Sciences & Technology Center and the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology, and Ethel Haskins-Cotton, Insurance Program Specialist in University Health Services.

Earnestine Baker, executive director, Meyerhoff Scholarship program, received the 2007-08 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Award for Extraordinary Public Service to the University and Greater Community, Professional Staff.

Catherine Bielawski, director of undergraduate student services in the College of Engineering and Information Technology, received the 2007-08 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Students, Professional Staff.

Dennis Cuddy, manager of administration and facilities in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, received the 2007-08 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Award for Exceptional Contribution to the Mission, Professional Staff.

Patricia Martin, program management specialist, Student Support Services, received the 2007-08 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Mission, Non-exempt Staff.

Karen Sweeney-Jett, executive assistant, Office of Institutional Advancement, received the 2007-08 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Award for Extraordinary Public Service to the University, Non-Exempt Staff.

Lorie Logan-Bennett, associate director for recruiting and marketing in the Career Services Center, received the 2009 Jakubik Family Endowment Award. Sondheim Program Assistant Director Delana Gregg received the award in 2008. The award was created to recognize outstanding UMBC staff who have made a significant difference in the lives of students and have contributed meaningfully to the campus.

*Last updated 6/16/2009