Outstanding Staff Award

Anna D'Amato - Executive Director - Student Health and Wellness Center

As the Executive Director of the Student Health and Wellness Center, Anna is known for tirelessly working to support students in their health and wellness needs as well as being an extremely caring supervisor of her staff.  During the pandemic, Anna served as the university’s liaison with Jackson County Public Health and was instrumental in disseminating critical information as a member of the incident response team which ensured a safe learning and working environment for all.  Anna is described by her peers as a flexible and resilient leader and a phenomenal team player with a “we, not me” style.  Her character and worth ethic is to be admired and modeled. 

Terry Knowles - Office Specialist 2 (Division Assistant) - Social Sciences

In her 30+ years with the university, Terry is described by her peers as indispensable, extraordinarily knowledgeable, and highly dedicated to the mission, vision, and core values of the university.  She is referred to as “the rock of Taylor Hall” and when a challenge arises, the reoccurring phrase is “go ask Terry!”  She is praised for always being two-steps ahead, extremely organized, and a diligent division assistant who goes above and beyond to help students and her colleagues in an unfailingly cheerful and positive way.

• 
• Allyson Beck
• Assistant Director for Leadership, Retention, and Marketing
• University Housing

• 
• Nicole Blodgett
• Benefits Officer
• Human Resources

• 
• Karen Bolda
• Divisional Academic Advisor, Recruitment, and Retention Coordinator
• Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University

• 
• Leon Crouch
• Assistant Director of Operations/Acting Director of FMP
• Facilities, Maintenance, and Planning

• 
• Tracey Culbertson
• Assistant Director of International Student & Scholar Services
• International Programs

• 
• Samantha Eaton
• Advisor
• Success at Southern/TRIO Student Support Services

• 
• Jane Hickinbotham
• Stage Production Coordinator/Staff Technical Manager
• Theatre Arts

• 
• Don Hill
• Classroom and Media Services Manager
• Information Technology

• 
• Katie Johnson-Noggle
• Archaeological Research Assistant
• SOU Lab of Anthropology

• 
• Ashley King
• Purchasing Agent 2/Senior Purchasing and Contracting Specialist
• Service Center

• 
• Willie Long
• Assistant Director, Outdoor Programs and Climbing Center
• Campus Recreation

• 
• Josh Lovern
• Director of Budget & Planning
• Budget Office

• 
• Mary Katie Marcotte
• Office Specialist 2
• Pre-College Youth Programs

• 
• Greg Martin
• Graphic Artist III
• Marketing and Communications

• 
• Mame Niang
• Administrative Program Specialist
• Business Services Bursar Office

• 
• Jason Piazza
• Benefits Navigation, Communication, Outreach, and Financial Aid Office Support Manager
• Financial Aid Office

• 
• Nancy Shough
• Science Lab Preparator
• Biology Department

• 
• Kay Swader
• Administrative Program Assistant
• Student Activities and Leadership/Stevenson Union Operations

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• David Raco - Operations Systems/Network Analyst 2 - Information Technology

• Since his 2012 hire, David has served as a Computing Coordinator (Information Technology Consultant 2) and more recently as a System Administrator (Operations Systems/Network Analyst 2).  David is known as an IT guru who is always available and constantly looking to the betterment of the campus.  In addition to excelling in his profession, David is a member of the process improvement task force and recently took part in the design and implementation of the inaugural Staff Assembly which will give administrators and classified employees a voice in how the university is governed.  David currently serves as the SEIU Local 503 Sublocal 084 President and his unique partnership with the university allowed for the quick application of the Oregon Work Share Program during the pandemic and prompt dissemination of critical information and resources to victims of the Almeda and Obenchain fires.  David is a paragon of leadership, followership, and stewardship.

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• Robin Williams - Student Success Coordinator - Business, Communication, & the Environment 

• Since her 2012 hire, Robin has served as a Counselor in Success at Southern/TRIO Student Support Services and more recently as the Student Success Coordinator in the Division of Business, Communication, and the Environment.  Her vast experience relating to and understanding the needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, coupled with her knowledge of academic advising and the Raider Registration program, has been instrumental in helping our students succeed and triumph in their endeavors.  Robin was instrumental in implementing and marketing Navigate to the BCE student and faculty audiences.  In addition to her many contributions to the institution, Robin’s volunteer work with the Ashland Independent Film Festival created a partnership where SOU students have numerous opportunities to gain experience, connect with the community, and take part in films that are committed to the diversity of human experience.  Robin is known as a true team leader and supportive, selfless, servant leader who gives her all.

• 
• Max Brooks
• Career Prep Coordinator
• Office of Career Connections

• 
• Anita Caster
• Graduate Administrative Services Coordinator
• Education, Health & Leadership

• 
• Anna D'Amato
• Director of Student Health & Wellness Center

• 
• Edward Derr
• Student Success Coordinator
• Humanities & Culture

• 
• Miaya Dombroski
• Placement Coordinator
• Education, Health & Leadership

• 
• Helen Eckard
• Administrative Program Assistant
• Oregon Center for the Arts

• 
• Cindy Garboden
• Registered Nurse 2
• Student Health & Wellness Center

• 
• Brady Hogan
• Information Technology Consultant 3
• (Computing Coordinator)
• Information Technology

• 
• Kristy Johnson
• Head Athletics Trainer
• Athletics

• 
• Terry Knowles
• Office Specialist 2
• (Division Assistant)
• Social Sciences

• 
• Stephen Lanning
• Operating Systems / Network Analyst 2
• (System Administrator)
• Information Technology

• 
• Josh Lovern
• Director of Budget & Planning
• Budget Office

• 
• Lizzie Parkhurst
• Information Technology Consultant 2
• (Alternate Technology Specialist)
• Disability Resources

• 
• Josh Rolphing
• Head Volleyball Coach / Assistant Atheltic Director for Compliance
• Athletics

• 
• K.C. Sam
• Distance Learning Specialist
• Education, Health & Leadership

• 
• Jill Smedstad
• Equity Coordinator for Sustainability & Basic Needs Resourcing
• Student Life

• 
• Ulrich Somerauer
• Operating Systems / Network Analyst 2
• (Lab & Student Computing Coordinator)
• Information Technology

• 
• Miranda Stiles
• Senior Admissions Counselor
• Admissions

• 

• Gordon Carrier

• Information Technology Consultant 3

• Information Technology

• In his ten years with SOU and in his current role as Information Technology Consultant 3, Gordon Carrier has shown exemplary class and is a model figure for what an IT professional should be. Gordon is a self-motivated employee, good-natured, humble and a mentor to his peers. He’s highly respected for his knowledge and work ethic. He displays a deep dedication to the SOU mission and our campus community. He’s a team leader and right-hand man for many. As his director stated, “Gordon is adaptable, flexible and willing to do anything for anyone at any time. He’s one of the most giving people I’ve ever met. He wants to serve and see SOU people happy. The guy never has a bad day.” With an undergrad degree from SOU and currently working on his master’s at SOU, he’s one of our customers while working full time to support his SOU customers. In the words of his nominator, Brady Hogan, “He continues to outperform all expectations and is a model figure to mold oneself after. I continue to look to Gordon as a role model for what an IT professional looks like and I would like to thank him for helping me be a success at my job. Of all the IT techs I’ve worked with, in businesses large and small, I can honestly say that Gordon stands out above all.”

• 

• Hart Wilson

• Instructional Designer

• Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

• As an Instructional Designer for the Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Hart Wilson’s work touches nearly every corner of the university. The ripple effects from that work touch the lives not just of SOU students and faculty, but of colleagues throughout the community, region, and the world through effective use of technology. The impact of Hart’s effort is felt now more than ever. She has been instrumental in easing SOU’s response to the tremendous challenge of transitioning all classes to remote learning in the face of a world pandemic. However, Hart’s invaluable contributions were obvious long before this.
• Extremely creative and passionate about what she does, Hart’s commitment to excellence enables everyone she comes in contact with to elevate their work. She is meticulous about staying current with best practices, making her ready and able to support whatever needs arise. A born teacher, Hart is the person that well-educated people go to for her knowledge. She is confident and capable and wants everyone to achieve their full potential. She inspires faculty to accomplish things they did not think were possible. Her use of innovative strategies and big ideas help transform instruction and improve the learning experience for all SOU students.
• The depth of her commitment to her work laid the groundwork to help SOU transition to remote learning this spring. Hart’s development of an online student orientation based on best practices for ALL students has proved very useful in our current situation.
• Responsive is a word that comes up repeatedly in regard to Hart. She is always willing to make herself available, responds rapidly at all times of day or night, and always does so with professionalism and grace. In addition to her expertise and the high quality of her work, what shines through when talking with anyone about Hart is that she is a wonderful colleague on a personal level. Helping new members of the SOU community settle in, supporting her CATL team to be their best, providing tips on lap pools and mystery book recommendations, Hart enriches the SOU campus community in many ways.
• As one colleague stated, “Her name is so perfectly suited for her; one of the biggest hearts you’ll encounter at SOU.”

• 
• Kitty Cable
• Information Technology Consultant 2 (Registration Systems Analyst)
• Raider Student Services

• 
• Anna D'Amato
• Executive Director
• Student Health and Wellness Center

• 
• Helen Eckard
• Administrative Program Assistant
• Theatre Arts

• 
• Brady Hogan
• Information Technology Consultant 2 (Computing Coordinator)
• Information Technology

• 
• Paige Jensen
• Administrative Program Assistant (OLLI Assistant)
• DCE Outreach & Engagement

• 
• Ashley King
• Purchasing Agent 2 (Senior Purchasing and Contracting Specialist)
• Service Center

• 
• Terry Knowles
• Office Specialist 2 (Division Assistant)
• Division of Social Sciences

• 
• Josh Lovern
• Director of Budget and Planning
• Budget Office

• 
• Jim McNamara
• Projects & Planning Manager
• Facilities Management and Planning

• 
• David Raco
• Information Technology Consultant 2 (Computing Coordinator)
• Information Technology

• 
• Lisa Sherrill
• Administrative Program Specialist (Division Assistant)
• Business, Communication & the Environment

• 
• Patrick Stubbins
• Executive Assistant to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Office of the Provost

• 
• Jessica Valenzuela
• Administrative Program Assistant (Evaluation Specialist)
• Admissions

• 
• Robin Williams
• Academic Advisor, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator (Student Success Coordinator)
• Business, Communication & the Environment

• 
• Marvin Woodward
• Multicultural Resource Coordinator
• Student Life and Leadership

• 

• Rachel Jones

• Division of Continuing Education

• Director of Pre-College/Youth Programs

• Since joining SOU in January of 2015 as Director of Pre-College and Youth Programs, Rachel’s success and further development of existing programs has been phenomenal. Rachel developed a new vision for outreach to underserved populations, partnering with the Education Department to support enormous growth in Latino outreach programs and partnering with Native American Studies to develop a new vision for the Konaway-Nika Tillicum program. That growth has been made possible by the solid partnerships she cultivates with organizations who have entrusted our Pre- College and Youth Programs, to put together outstanding courses they depend upon to serve their students. This growth happens because she demonstrates repeatedly that she is competent, caring, trustworthy and runs effective programs. Additionally, while it’s her intelligence, hard work and vision for developing college pathways for thousands of our regional youth, it’s her heart and genuine warmth that inspires us all and reflects so well upon our university. Please join me in honoring Rachel Jones!

• 

• Deborah O'Dea

• Financial Aid, Counselor

• Program Representative 1

• Since joining SOU in January of 2015, Deborah has shown not only her commitment to supporting our students, but to the overall strategic direction of the university. Deborah has a collaborative, team-player spirit, and consistently looks for ways to get involved on campus both within her role as a Financial Aid Counselor, and through volunteer roles and professional development. Deborah consistently works with the Resource Centers across campus to create outreach opportunities and establish rapport with students so they feel the Financial Aid Office is a resource, not a barrier. Representing the institution in a positive light extends beyond the SOU campus, where Deborah regularly works with area high schools to provide education of the financial aid process to parents and students. Deborah was elected to the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Executive Council as the Vice-President for Public Four-Year schools for the 2018-2019 year. Her commitment to SOU students is seen through her caring and compassion and how she seeks out ways to connect with students, whether it’s reviewing award letters at Raider Registration or helping carry boxes into the residence halls during Move-In Day. Students, staff and Faculty have come to know Deborah as a valuable resource and her commitment to student development and SOU as a whole is truly commendable. Please join me in honoring Deborah O’Dea!