Thirteen Missouri University of Science and Technology employees and two students were honored for their contributions to the campus during the university’s Staff Appreciation Day celebration on Thursday, May 21.  

Candidates for the awards were nominated by faculty, staff and students. The winners were selected based on their job performance, contributions and dedication to Missouri S&T.   

Eight staff members received Staff Excellence Awards. Awardees were honored as bridge builders, for excellence in work, for their student-centric focus and demonstrating exemplary hospitality. The winners are: 

• Ashley Berry, assistant director of parking and transportation services 

• Kimber Crull, senior strategic communications consultant for marketing and communications 

• Matt Deckard, construction manager for design and construction 

• Amber Johnston, senior counselor for student well-being 

• Michael Pierce, photographer for marketing and communications 

• Samantha Avon Savoca, student service coordinator for career opportunities and employer relations 

• Lishia Stevens, signature event designer for marketing and communications 

• Derek Zboran, training and outreach coordinator for student well-being. 

Two staff members received the Outstanding Newcomer Award, given to a staff member who has made a positive impact in their first two years at Missouri S&T. This year’s winners are Jamie Barlow, senior counselor for student well-being, and Adelyn Wiggins, student success center coordinator. 

The Outstanding Faculty Award recognizes a faculty member who is actively engaged in supporting staff across campus. The 2026 award went to Dr. Katherine Grote, associate professor of earth sciences and engineering.  

In addition to the staff and faculty excellence awards, Staff Council presented the Jan Buhlinger Spirit Award to Tera Humphrey, senior student service coordinator for student involvement. The award is named for the late Jan Buhlinger, a former Missouri S&T employee and member of Staff Council. Recipients are selected by Staff Council based on their Missouri S&T spirit.  

Staff Council also presented the first Outstanding Student Employee Awards in recognition of exceptional dedication, professionalism and reliability. This year’s winners are Maathai Nneh Nnah-Ndobe, a senior in biomedical engineering from Rolla, Missouri, and Mya McClain, a recent graduate in  psychology from Fort Dodge, Iowa.  

Additionally, Dr. Joshua Schlegel, associate professor and undergraduate program coordinator of nuclear engineering and radiation science, was recognized for his service as a Faculty Senate liaison to the Staff Council. 

About Missouri University of Science and Technology 

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.