2026 Merit Award Recipients Announced

We’re pleased to recognize the 2026 Finance & Administration (F&A) and University Human Resources (UHR) Merit Award finalists and recipients. This year’s honorees were recognized during the annual Staff Recognition Ceremony held on May 13, 2026.

Each year, F&A and UHR honor staff members who go above and beyond in service to the University of Georgia. Through peer nominations, the Merit Awards highlight individuals and teams who demonstrate integrity, dedication, collaboration, and innovation in their everyday work.

These awards are among the most meaningful ways we celebrate one another—because the recognition comes directly from colleagues who witness outstanding effort and impact firsthand.

Click on the categories below to view this year’s finalists, recipients, and full award descriptions

 

Outstanding Team Award +

Awarded to a group of two or more Finance and Administration staff members who have come together to serve the mission of the University and have demonstrated how their collective accomplishments are far greater than what we can attain alone. Teams may include staff members and collaboration internal to or with units outside of Finance & Administration. These teams have quietly created meaningful and positive change in the way commitments are delivered. Nominees demonstrate how YOU + ME – WE ELEVATE THE G!

2026 Outstanding Teams
Campus Safety Ambassadors, UGPD
MLC Creative Engagement Wing Design & Construction Team, OUA/OSPM/FMD
Transit Maintenance Team, AS
University Budget Office Team, FD

Community Engagement Award +

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who engages in their community by unselfishly giving their time, services, and resources. Individuals are given a chance through the giving of their resources to leave their mark on the community they serve. Community service leaves an indelible mark that can transform many lives now and for generations to come.

Award Recipient: William Smith, Bolton Dining, AS

Finalists
Danielle Bouton, Auxiliary Services Administration, AS
Patricia Stephens, AVP Business Office, FMD
Chris Williamson, Project Management, OUA/OSPM

Customer Service Award +

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who is an example to others by providing continual outstanding service to our customers–coworkers, supervisors, students, faculty, staff or the public. This staff member goes above and beyond the call of duty to meet customers’ needs.

Award Recipient: Josalyn Clark, Parking Compliance, AS

Finalists
Alisha Collins, Student Account Services, FD
Stone McLeod-Waddell, Transaction Services, UHR
Ravisha Wijeweera, Starbucks Retail Dining, AS

Leadership Award +

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who positively impacts and influences others, who showcases the way F&A thrives on new ideas, who builds strong and productive relationships, who develops new methods to improve productivity and efficiency not only for their unit but for F&A and the University as a whole. To lead is to influence people. Leadership focuses on developing skills and relationships between people rather than focusing on the organizational chart. The F&A Leadership Merit Award recognizes that we have influential leaders throughout our organization in multiple roles and at all levels. A leader takes responsibility and, through everyday actions, collectively brings a unit or team together where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When a member of our division shows leadership, it influences others to be leaders as well, which happens more naturally when relationships (often unseen in an organization’s hierarchy) are created.

Award Recipient: Shanell Greene, Oglethorpe Dining Commons, AS

Finalists
Claire Boyd, Procurement Office, FD
Royce Dingley, Grounds Department, FMD
Stephen Moss, Transit Maintenance, AS

Newcomer Award +

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who, despite lack of time on the job, has significantly contributed to the organizational mission and showed outstanding initiative, reliability and dedication to the University. Nominees must have less than two years of continuous services with UGA as of the nomination deadline.

Award Recipient: Dayna Evans, Office of Emergency Preparedness, RR

Finalists
Sandi Basu, Bursar & Treasury Services, FD
James Braun, AS – Transit Admin, AS
Robel Negussie, Marketing & Communications, AS

Tough Dawg Award +

Honoring resiliency in the workplace; awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who has demonstrated exceptional professional resilience while navigating significant workplace challenges. This individual embodies strength, integrity, and empathy—meeting adversity with grace, positivity, and steadfast commitment to their role and their team. Their perseverance and exemplary performance serve as an inspiration to the F&A community.

Award Recipient: Hope Thomas, Safety Department, FMD

Finalists
Mary Huff, Bolton Dining Commons, AS
Keith Marable, O&M Plumbing Shop, FMD
Gary Peters, Parking Administration, AS

Unsung Hero Award +

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who works hard and does his/her job well, but seldom, if ever, is recognized publicly for his or her work. This person is continually both a real benefit to his/her coworkers and a stable, dependable resource for Finance and Administration as a whole.

Award Recipient: Katherine Green, Waste Reduction, FMD

Finalists
Aimee Cheek, Marketing & Communications, AS
Dawn Cowart, Procurement Office, FD
Alice Moreland, Transit Operations, AS

Nominations

Merit Awards are presented in two areas: individual and outstanding team.

Individual Merit Awards recognize F&A and UHR staff members who show outstanding performance, leadership, service, and creativity. The award categories are: Community Engagement, Customer Service, Leadership, Newcomer, Tough Dawg, and Unsung Hero.

The Outstanding Team Award honors collaborative groups that demonstrate strong teamwork and deliver meaningful results through joint efforts.


How Finalists Are Selected

All nominations are reviewed by a committee of peers from across F&A and UHR. The committee considers how each nominee reflects the core values of our units, including their impact, professionalism, initiative, and collaboration. From this review, a group of finalists is selected and invited to be honored at the annual Staff Recognition Ceremony, where the year’s recipients are announced. All individual and team merit award nominees receive a letter with an excerpt from their nomination(s) and are invited to a summer luncheon, hosted by F&A and UHR Senior Leadership.

For questions about the nomination process or award criteria, please contact your Recognition Committee representative.

 

In the News

A group of employees participates in emergency response training in a classroom setting. Several participants practice CPR on training mannequins placed on tables while instructors provide guidance. Others observe, take notes, or document the session. The room features large windows, round tables, and training equipment, including CPR mannequins and an AED trainer, supporting hands-on lifesaving skills instruction.
Close-up of a University of Georgia vehicle covered in fresh snow during a winter storm. The UGA Arch logo and “University of Georgia” lettering are visible on the white vehicle door, while snow accumulates on the window, side mirror, and door handle as flakes continue to fall.
A longtime UGA employee raises her arms in celebration as university leaders applaud her during the 2026 Staff Recognition Ceremony. The honoree is being recognized on stage for her years of service to the university.