Dean Kroetz presents the 2026 Staff Awards
On May 22, 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.
Laboratory Research Staff Award
This award is given to a laboratory staff employee in recognition of their significant contributions to the research mission within the College of Pharmacy. This individual consistently exceeds expectations, shows initiative and creativity, fosters a cooperative and supportive work environment, and is dependable and self-motivated. The award carries a $500 one-time bonus and a personalized engraved award.
Eman Ahmed, PhD
Senior Researcher - Experimental Cancer Pharmacology Laboratory (ECPL)
“Since joining our lab, Eman demonstrated initiative and creativity on every aspect of her job responsibilities: maintain/operate two LC/MS, assay development, and sample measurement. She also mentors ECPL trainees and staff with diverse background and experience, drafts manuscript/revision, presents and participates in scientific meetings to keep current with new developments in the field. She took ownership of everything she does and strives for the best quality.”
- Shuiying Hu
Administrative Research Staff Award
This award is given to an administrative staff employee in recognition of their significant contributions to the research mission within the College of Pharmacy. This individual consistently exceeds expectations, shows initiative and creativity, fosters a cooperative and supportive work environment, and is dependable and self-motivated. The award carries a $500 one-time bonus and a personalized engraved award.
Joslyn Materna
Administrative Assistant
“Joslyn Materna plays an essential role in organizing the College of Pharmacy’s PhD recruitment process. She not only gathers and compiles all applications for faculty review but also coordinates the entire recruitment weekend. Her work is critical, as PhD students contribute significantly to advancing scientific research and upholding the strong reputation of the college’s research program.”
- Liz Clemens
Esprit de Corps Staff Award
This award recognizes an individual or group of College of Pharmacy staff member(s) who demonstrates an ongoing spirit of unity and dedication to strengthening the relationships among all members of the college community. This award honors those who go above and beyond the course of their usual duties to develop and support initiatives that build meaningful connections, promote collaboration and open dialogue, foster a strong sense of belonging and strengthen bonds between all members of the college community. Recipients of this award demonstrate a sustained commitment to creating a vibrant and supportive college culture.
This award includes a $500 one-time bonus and a personalized engraved award or plaque for each person (up to team of four); for teams including more than four individuals, the monetary amount will be determined by the dean and CAO.
Tonya Fletcher
Administrative Associate - Division of Pharmacy Education and Innovation
“As the administrative assistant to two divisions, Tonya is very busy, but she is never too busy for her colleagues. She is always first to lend a helping hand, often taking on extra work to help anyone who needs it. She is always positive, and everyone I know loves working with Tonya. She is a bright spot within our staff and treats everyone as a friend and equal.”
- Katie Summers
Innovation Staff Award
This award is given to a College of Pharmacy staff employee or work group/team who developed and/or participated in an innovative project initiative/process improvement, in which the results of the project initiative/process improvement enhanced the College of Pharmacy in supporting its mission. This award includes a $500 one-time bonus and a personalized engraved award or plaque for each person (up to team of four); for teams including more than four individuals, the monetary amount will be determined by the dean and CAO.
Tanya Bomsta, PhD
Curriculum Project Manager - Office of Educational Innovation and Scholarship
“Tanya Bomsta played an instrumental role in creating, developing, and implementing EdiPhy Week at the College of Pharmacy. Her leadership helped transform EdiPhy from a traditional professional development event into an innovative learning experience in its own right. EdiPhy Week itself is an innovative concept in the realm of faculty development. The programming Tanya has promoted within it is equally cutting edge.”
- Victoria Williams
Rising Star Staff Award
This award is given to an individual staff employee who has worked in the College of Pharmacy for less than three years who demonstrates and contributes to ongoing and exceptional growth above and beyond the scope of their position; makes a positive difference in their work environment and inspires a collaborative workplace with colleagues; and demonstrates a willingness to learn and eagerness to contribute to the success of the College of Pharmacy. This award carries a one-time $500 bonus and a personalized engraved award.
Alexis Badgett
Pharmacy Skills Lab Coordinator
“As her supervisor, I have been extremely impressed with the speed at which she learned her role and gained a thorough understanding of the IPCaL course sequence and all the responsibilities that come with it. She wears many hats - educator, coordinator, inventory manager, education technologist, and more. Learning the ins and outs of any one of these roles can be intimidating but she was eager for the challenge. She is executing her role while taking on additional roles far beyond my expectations for her.”
- Colleen Dula
Outstanding Staff Award
This award is given to a staff employee of the College of Pharmacy for three or more years who provides outstanding and ongoing excellence in services to faculty, staff, students, alumni and/or others outside of the college; performs at a level that often exceeds the expectations of one's position; demonstrates initiative and creativity in carrying out one's responsibilities; exhibits a cooperative and supportive approach to others in the college community; and possesses the qualities of being dependable, reliable and self-motivated. The award carries a one-time $750 bonus and personalized engraved award.
Stacy King
Program Manager - Integrated Patient Care Lab (IPCaL)
“Stacy King is a true asset to the College of Pharmacy. She supports her colleagues in IPCaL and cares deeply about the success of her students. She has demonstrated true leadership through her work with the Staff Advisory Council. She has led group efforts with excellent communication and a style that encourages others to participate and be engaged. This work goes beyond her required responsibilities but truly contributes to a more positive work environment.”
- Kristin Casper