Dean Kroetz presents 2025 Staff Awards
Following her 2025 State of the College Address on May 23, Dean Deanna Kroetz proudly presented the annual College of Pharmacy Staff Awards. The ceremony recognized the outstanding dedication, innovation, and service of staff members who have made exceptional contributions to the college community over the past year.
Outstanding Staff Award
Marco Finocchi
Education Coordinator
“In all the years I’ve worked with him, I’ve always been impressed with his quiet dedication to his work, his unfailing kindness and generosity, and his exemplification of the college’s shared value of a personal commitment to professionalism, integrity, and accountability. Though his role is one of the less visible ones of the college, Marco makes a big impact on those he works with and those he supports.”
- Tanya Bomsta
Education coordinator Marco Finocchi has been honored with the College of Pharmacy Staff Excellence Award, a recognition given to a staff member with three or more years of service who exemplifies outstanding dedication, creativity, and support within the college community. Known for his professionalism, reliability, and kindness, Marco is often described as the “glue” of the instructional team—an essential force behind course success and a positive student experience.
His contributions go far beyond expectations. When a faculty member took medical leave, Marco seamlessly stepped in to manage course logistics, group assignments, and Carmen content for the P2 CIPC3 course. He has led key innovations, including redesigning the exam question collection process and developing a new EchoExam template, both of which significantly improved efficiency and clarity.
Marco also initiated a course coordinator meeting to foster collaboration, mentored new education coordinators, and consistently volunteers for tasks outside his role, from undergraduate course support to gamified training design. His proactive approach and pursuit of a Master’s in Learning Technologies reflect his commitment to continuous improvement and student success.
This award includes a personalized engraved plaque and a one-time $500 bonus, well-deserved recognition for someone who truly embodies excellence in service.
Rising Star Award
Joslyn Materna
Administrative Assistant
“Joslyn consistently looks ahead, actively working to develop solutions and make a positive impact not only in her own work but also in the work of others. Her demeanor and outlook are always positive, and she strives to be a source of support and inspiration for her colleagues.”
-Rori Taylor-Goldsmith
Administrative assistant Joslyn Materna has been awarded the Rising Star Award. This honor is given to a staff member with fewer than three years of service who demonstrates exceptional growth, fosters collaboration, and contributes meaningfully to the success of the college.
In her newly created role focused on graduate student recruitment, Joslyn has shown remarkable initiative and adaptability. With minimal guidance, she streamlined and modernized the recruitment process, successfully managing both in-person and virtual recruitment weekends, including complex travel and event logistics.
Joslyn’s efforts have created a more cohesive and welcoming experience for prospective students. She has built strong, collaborative relationships across departments and programs, and is consistently recognized for her positive attitude and proactive support of colleagues. Always eager to learn, she actively seeks feedback and uses it to improve processes.
Her willingness to take on responsibilities beyond her formal role, such as coordinating student flight arrivals, supporting other student programs like Pills, Potions, and Poisons, and quickly mastering new systems, has earned her consistent praise from supervisors and peers alike.
This award includes a personalized engraved plaque and a one-time $250 bonus, celebrating Joslyn’s outstanding contributions and bright future at the College of Pharmacy.
Rising Star Award
Brooke Keber
Continuing Education and Community Engagement Specialist
“Brooke has become a trusted resource at the college. I cannot believe she has only been with the college such a short amount of time. I can go to her with questions about any process, and she is knowledgeable and actionable in interpreting a request and making it happen.”
- Jen Rodis
Continuing education and community engagement specialist Brooke Keber has been awarded the Rising Star Award. This recognition is presented to a staff member with fewer than three years of service who demonstrates exceptional growth, fosters a collaborative workplace, and contributes meaningfully to the college’s success.
Brooke’s rapid advancement and promotion reflect her outstanding initiative and impact. She manages all logistics for continuing education (CE) accreditation, leads impact reporting and website updates for Generation Rx, and oversees major programs such as Pharmathon and the Nicole Kwiek Scholarships. She also coordinates logistics for international learners, including visitors from Taiwan.
Her innovative mindset led to the development of an Outreach & Engagement outcomes dashboard, replacing traditional annual reports. Self-taught in web design and grant writing, Brooke has expanded her skill set to meet team goals. She transcribed all CE presentations to meet accreditation standards and took over residency program administration during peak season—ultimately assuming the role permanently after a staff departure.
Brooke is known for completing tasks ahead of deadlines, enhancing team productivity, and fostering collaboration. Her proactive, mission-driven approach and eagerness to learn have made her a trusted resource across departments.
This award includes a personalized engraved plaque and a one-time $250 bonus, recognizing Brooke’s exceptional contributions and bright future at the College of Pharmacy.
Innovation Award
Office of Recruitment and Admissions & Office of Marketing and Communications
- Steve Barrish, Director of Marketing and Communications
- Jordan Reilly, Senior Graphic Designer
- Molly Teller, Marketing and Media Specialist
- Kristen Torrence, PharmD Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
- Katie Watkins, Director of Recruitment and Admissions
“This was an outstanding example of two college offices (one being entirely new) working together seamlessly to not only do what was needed in this space but do it so effectively. The innovation that both teams brought to the table yielded stellar outcomes.”
- Nicole Kwiek
The College of Pharmacy recognized the Office of Recruitment and Admissions (ORA) and the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) with the Innovation Award, honoring their collaborative efforts in transforming student recruitment through strategic innovation. This award is presented to a team whose initiative significantly enhances the college’s ability to fulfill its mission.
From the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, Katie Watkins (Director of Recruitment and Admissions) and Kristen Torrence (PharmD Recruitment and Admissions Specialist) played key roles in launching a centralized, data-driven recruitment strategy in December 2023. They partnered with the Office of Marketing and Communications, represented by Steve Barrish (Director of Marketing and Communications), Jordan Reilly (Senior Graphic Designer), and Molly Teller (Marketing and Media Specialist), to execute a comprehensive campaign.
Their efforts utilized Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, paid advertising, compelling storytelling, and personalized outreach, aligning with university-wide best practices such as email automation.
The results speak volumes:
- 2023–2024 cycle: A full Doctor of Pharmacy class with 20+ students on the waitlist and a 63% increase in BSPS enrollment (106 students).
- 2024–2025 cycle (in progress): Another full P1 class with a waitlist and record BSPS applications, yielding 122 students—a 34% increase from the previous year.
This cross-functional collaboration has not only elevated recruitment outcomes but also advanced the college’s mission in a measurable and meaningful way.
Each team member receives a personalized engraved award and a one-time bonus in recognition of their outstanding contributions.