Knight, Stringer Recognized With Top Staff Awards at UCM

Heather Stringer, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, left, and
Carol Knight, director of Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation, are the 2026 Staff Council award recipients.

 

The 欧美视频 (UCM) has recognized two staff members for their dedication and service to the university. Carol Knight received the 2026 J.P. Mees Award for Outstanding Professional Staff, and Heather Stringer received the Outstanding Staff Award.

Knight and Stringer were recognized during the annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast hosted by the UCM Staff Council on May 14 and the UCM Board of Governors meeting on June 18. 

To determine the two recipients, the award selection committee reviews nominations submitted by campus members.

J.P. Mees Award

The J.P. Mees Award is named in honor of John Paul 鈥淛.P.鈥� Mees, a longtime and respected UCM staff member who died unexpectedly in 2000. He began working at UCM in 1988 as the executive assistant to the president and a professor of Education. In 1994, Mees was appointed provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and in 1998, he assumed the roles of vice president for planning and policy and executive assistant to the president. Mees鈥� wife, Joan, honored his legacy by establishing an award in his name. It is given annually to a staff member who is classified as exempt and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to UCM, the community, professional activities and service to students.

Knight is the director of Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation, and she has become an essential leader in supporting the university through some of its most complex and rapidly evolving challenges. She is described as 鈥渢he quintessential team player,鈥� helping whenever she can without hesitation, and is known for her expertise, responsiveness and steady presence.

鈥淐arol is an exceptional leader in educational technology on our campus鈥︹�� one of her nominators shared. 鈥淪he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that faculty, staff and administration have the tools, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in an ever-evolving digital landscape.鈥�

Knight鈥檚 impact has included leading the transition from Blackboard to Brightspace, supporting faculty as they shift courses to online learning, and helping UCM navigate emerging technologies like AI. More recently, she has played a critical role in helping faculty and staff meet Title II accessibility requirements. As another nominator said, 鈥淭he last four months have been extremely demanding, and Carol has been an amazing ally to this work.鈥�

While much of Knight鈥檚 work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt across the institution. As her nomination stated, 鈥淐arol鈥檚 work is easy to overlook precisely because she does it so well and so quietly 鈥� but the impact she has had鈥� is truly profound.鈥�

 

From left, UCM Board of Governors President John Collier, J.P. Mees Award recipient Carol Knight
and UCM President Roger Best at the Board of Governors meeting on June 18.

Outstanding Staff Award

The Outstanding Staff Award is given annually to a non-exempt employee who has worked at the university for at least one year and has demonstrated superior service to students, staff, faculty and community. They must also have modeled professionalism and a commitment to going above and beyond their normal duties, as well as to promoting teamwork and collaboration.

Stringer is the administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As her nominator said, she 鈥渟ets the standard for excellence for all staff in the college and helps them attain their goals.鈥� Stringer has taken the initiative to streamline key processes, such as lectureship fund tracking. She created tools that help department chairs manage requests and stay within their budgets.

Her impact extends well beyond her own responsibilities. Stringer organizes professional development sessions for the college鈥檚 office professionals and creates opportunities for connection, strengthening relationships across the college. As one nomination noted, 鈥渇aculty members from across [the college] and the university consult her about processes and information.鈥�

Stringer鈥檚 commitment to others is especially evident in her work with student employees. Her nominator said that she 鈥済oes above and beyond in training and mentoring our student workers, matching their tasks to the skills and interests as much as possible.鈥�

Known for her strong communication and relationship-building skills, Stringer collaborates seamlessly with offices across the university. Her nominator said she is 鈥渁 tremendous asset to the college and broader institution.鈥� 

 

From left, UCM Board of Governors President John Collier, Outstanding Staff Award recipient Heather
Stringer and UCM President Roger Best at the Board of Governors meeting on June 18.

Staff Educational Awards & Years of Service

The Staff Council also presented Staff Educational Awards to Erin Miller and Justin Womack. Each year, the council presents scholarships to two staff members pursuing degrees at UCM. Miller, coordinator of business and fiscal operations for Online and Extended Studies, is pursuing a Master of Business Administration. Womack, a senior financial aid coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Services, is pursuing a Master of Science in Career and Technology Education-Industry Training Option.

Additionally, the Staff Council recognized staff members for milestone years of service.

Five Years of Service: Scott Alvested, Alex Backhaus, Connie Baker, Kordell Ballard, Geoffrey Boedeker, Elizabeth Bollmeyer, Samantha Bradley, Scott Bulloc, Rich Decker, Patrick Harness, Dave Heiner, Darice Heishman, Steve Hodge, Sarah Irwin, Chelsea Miyashiro, Josiah Nyangau, Beth Swanson, Alicia Todaro, Edward White, Dawn Willbanks and Geoff Wright.

10 Years of Service: Matthew Chiesi, Nellie de Laurier, Candis Edington, Jacqui Faria, Justin Harrington, Stephanie Hedglin, Jessica Johnson, Jennifer Krahenbuhl, Heather Lawson, Carson Mills, Sheree Moody, Emily Rhoad, Julie Schlueter, Karla Seigfreid, Leah Sobba and Brian Turner.

15 Years of Service: Stacey Beasley, Raymond Bollmeyer, Andrea Dieckman, Alice Jarman, Shelly Keys, Joni Porter, Travis Seigfreid and Kelli Woodson.

20 Years of Service: Robert Adams, Shelly Bachus, Ian Billingsley, Daniel Britton, Jamie Driskill, Mona Duncan, Brian Espen, Robert Koepke, John Malone, Steve McGathy, Kevin McVey, Tia Milburn, Stuart Rohr and Tony Turner.

25 Years of Service: Kenneth Baker, Stephanie Beers, Kristie Brinkley, Laura Goodwin, Kristine Nichols, Cynthia Rogers and Kelly Waldram Cramer.

30 Years of Service: Roger Best, Julie Brooks, Charissa Davis, Ronald Holmes, Roy Millen, Chris Port, Mark Schlueter and Victoria Voland.

35 Years of Service: Tim Poe.