Nickie Green - Housing and Residence Life, Stamps Health Center and Campus Services Sustainability
Tineke Battle writes - I’d like to recognize and celebrate Nickie Green for her exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to our HR community. Nickie consistently goes above and beyond, not only for her division but when involved in other initiatives where her leadership, insight, and collaborative spirit shine. Nickie brings a wealth of expertise to every conversation. Whether she’s offering thoughtful recommendations, identifying considerations others may overlook, or aligning our practices with USG and GT policies, she does so with precision and care. Her understanding of talent acquisition is unmatched as she seems to have a knack for building strong, effective teams and always seems to find the right fit for her areas. What truly sets Nickie apart is her approachability and team spirit. She creates a welcoming environment where colleagues feel heard, respected, and valued. Her infectious laugh and warm smile is contagious, as she is always fostering a sense of unity and togetherness that makes working with her a joy. Nickie, thank you for being a roll-up your sleeve and trusted partner, a thoughtful leader, and a bright light in our HR family. You make a difference every day!
Jennifer Leach - GTRI SSD
Lisa Wells writes - As always, Jennifer has my back. She backs me up on the helpdesk when I am out and she also steps in and helps me when things get busy.
Staff Council Appreciation Day Committee
Their nominator writes - To whomever selected/packaged/gave away those cute mini backpacks as gift swag! It's been my little lifejacket for RTO. It's just big enough to hold all the things. Way to engage and advocate, always being aware of what staff might need.
Valerie Larkin - Stamps Student Health Services
Nina Thoman writes - Valerie Larkin has been a valued member of Stamps Health Services for the past year and a half. Throughout her time here, she has consistently supported both her colleagues and the students we serve. Even during challenging times, Valerie maintains a calm and positive presence. Most recently, during this year’s Week of Welcome, she stepped outside of her pharmacy role to assist with the immunization process—a major annual effort.
Jocelyn Wood - Learning and Development
Tiffany Baltazar writes - Jocelyn consistently brings positivity, joy, and energy to every project she undertakes. She is a breath of fresh air, an ultimate professional, and an asset to our organization
Elena Himmelstein-Rivera - Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success
Her nominator writes - Elena was crucial in the execution of a few new initiatives during the Ignite program this past summer. Each year, the Ignite team strives to make improvements based on student feedback and Elena jumped in head first to take lead on a few things that really helped the '25 cohort have a great summer.
Jackie Adams - Campus Recreation
Laura Liz Bryan - Jackie was a rock during all of our Week of Welcome events, either utilizing the students staff she had at her disposal or doing the tasks herself. She did everything with grace and poise all while getting us record numbers at our events.
Jennifer Collins - Office of Graduate Education
Nazanin Tork writes - Jennifer has been a beacon of kindness, flexibility, and focus—always putting students first while supporting her team's wellbeing. Her thoughtful leadership, paired with her exceptional crocheting and baking skills, truly makes a difference. Georgia Tech is lucky to have her!
Valerie McConico - Center of Academic Success and Engagement
Nominator writes - Valarie McConico has demonstrated exceptional leadership through the creation and rapid expansion of the Community Service Project (CSP) in ISyE. Within a single semester, she successfully scaled the program from 90 to over 300 students, providing structured, real-world opportunities for students to apply systems thinking and professional skills. By forging partnerships with community organizations, Valarie has positioned CSP as both an academic enrichment and a vehicle for meaningful community impact. Her strategic vision and operational excellence have significantly advanced student engagement, professional development, and Georgia Tech’s commitment to service.
Jennifer Harris - School of Physics
Nominator writes - Jennifer Harris is a pillar of support for everyone she encounters at Georgia Tech. Her willingness to go above and beyond isn't just a phrase—it's her daily practice. Whether it's a student struggling with a form, a faculty member needing a quick solution, or a staff colleague who needs a helping hand, Jennifer consistently provides the kind of thoughtful and thorough assistance that truly makes a difference. She doesn't just solve problems; she anticipates needs and ensures that the people she helps feel valued and supported. Her dedication makes Georgia Tech a better place for all.
Samantha King - School of Physics
Joesette Ivory writes - For Samantha King, "tireless" isn't an exaggeration; it's a testament to her incredible work ethic and dedication to the Georgia Tech community. Samantha gives her all, consistently pouring her energy into supporting faculty, staff, and students with unwavering commitment. Her contributions are the result of countless hours of hard work behind the scenes, ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly. She is an invaluable asset who embodies the spirit of dedication, and her efforts are deeply appreciated by all who benefit from her relentless pursuit of excellence.
Patrice Coleman - School of Physics, Finance Office
Joesette Ivory writes - Patrice Coleman is the quiet force that keeps the Physics finance team running smoothly. As a valuable asset, she provides essential support that is critical to the success of faculty and staff. Her expertise and meticulous attention to detail ensure that complex financial processes are handled with precision, allowing others to focus on their core responsibilities. Patrice's reliability and steady, dependable work are the foundation upon which so much is built, and her contributions deserve to be recognized and celebrated for the stability and efficiency they bring to the department.
Gary Longstreet - School of Physics
Joesette Ivory writes - Gary Longstreet is more than a staff member; he's a vital source of energy and enthusiasm for his team. His vibrant personality and positive attitude are contagious, making every interaction a brighter experience. Gary doesn't just perform his job; he truly "owns" his role, approaching every task with incredible passion and a proactive mindset. He elevates the work environment and sets an example of how to tackle challenges with a smile. Gary's amazing job performance and his infectious spirit are a constant reminder of the power of a great attitude.
Mark Wood - Infrastructure and Sustainability
Kelly Register writes - Mark is an exceptional leader who consistently provides unwavering support and advocacy for his team. He is a tremendous resource and wealth of knowledge, always willing to share his expertise to help others succeed. He consistently goes the extra mile for his team, leading by example and showing us what true leadership looks like.
Kristi Hesse - Career Center
Nominator writes - Kristi has been planning the All Majors Career Fair and navigating a tremendous amount of changes. It's our largetst event with over 7,000 in two days. I an grateful for her expertise and knowledge through out the process.
Linny Tran - Office of International Education
Mary Alice Allen writes - Linny consistently goes above and beyond with grace and kindness. Her approachable and positive demeanor makes her a joy to work with, and her service-oriented mindset ensures that tasks are not only completed efficiently—but with genuine care. Whether she’s helping a campus partner or supporting a student, she brings thoughtfulness, reliability, and a calm presence to everything she does.
Kay May - Office of Faculty Affairs
Alina Opreanu - Kay May went above and beyond to review GT-TRACS packages before August 1 this year. She excels at working collaboratively to ensure that HR processes and approvals move forward. With her attentive eye for detail, she knows what questions to pose and is willing to work very closely with colleagues throughout the process. Her institutional knowledge is matched by her willingness to share that information with her peers. I truly value working with Kay!
Christina Scott - Office of Undergraduate Admission
Kevin Dodson - Christina has been instrumental in planning the Peach State Tour for the past 3 years. Georgia Tech visits local counties with other Ga public R1 research institutions to provide information on our institution and the admission process. Through Christina's effort, Tech will visit 15 Ga Counties reaching over 2,500 students.
Robin Wilburn - Office of Undergraduate Admission
Nominator writes - Ms. Robin Wilburn is a GT staff member of over 30 years! She has borne witness to several decades of students, staff, and policy changes in her tenure. Her love and commitment to our students shines through in everything she accomplishes. She performs her role with joy, enthusiasm, love, and is the embodiment of our collective mission that "Students are our top priority". She is a true GT treasure and should be celebrated!
Amy Henry - Office of International Education
Ashlee Flinn writes - My supervisor, Amy Henry, will celebrate 30 years at Tech on Sept. 5! She's been exceptional by being Tech's first study abroad advisor, growing study abroad options and OIE, & being a resource for many. The staff recognition awards are fairly new, & she's never been recognized for her service at Tech for her many anniversaries.
Doshia Murray - Georgia Tech Human Resources
Yolanda McDaniel writes - Doshia is an outstanding team player and a fantastic collaboration partner. She has consistently gone above and beyond to support our team, especially during a challenging period of high attrition. Her dedication to assisting with hiring efforts has made a significant impact. We’re incredibly grateful to have such an amazing colleague and human being on our team. Thank you, Doshia!