More than 675 staff members attended the 2025 Spring Staff Assembly in person at Langford Auditorium on May 15, listening as Chancellor Daniel Diermeier lauded Vanderbilt staff’s resilience and achievements amidst significant challenges facing higher education.
Watch the full 2025 Spring Staff Assembly. >>
Higher education more broadly, however, is facing uncertainty, and Diermeier acknowledged that challenge. He encouraged staff to “keep doing your extraordinary work” and to be ambassadors for the university and for the value of higher education in American society. He cited Vanderbilt’s generous financial aid programs that offer students life-changing opportunities, and research that leads to lifesaving advances in treatment for cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more.
The chancellor emphasized unity and resilience, with a reminder that challenges are the moments when we are at our best. “Moments of uncertainty and challenge are when we grow the most. Setting off into the unknown demands our best. It demands creativity and heart. The foggy road ahead can stop us in our tracks or it can inspire us to light the way.”
“I promise you, the moments when you walk into the unknown and improvise, using all your skills and knowledge—these are the moments you will look back on and say, ‘That was my proudest moment,’” Diermeier concluded.
UNIVERSITY STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The assembly included remarks by Sara Putnam, president of the University Staff Advisory Council. Putnam, who has served on the council for five years, talked about her journey with USAC and how her involvement with the group has changed her relationship with the Vanderbilt community.
“What I found in USAC … was something invaluable: connection,” she said. “A meaningful link to colleagues across campus and, through that, a deeper sense of belonging at Vanderbilt.”
Putnam highlighted some of the council’s recent achievements and efforts toward enhancing the staff experience at Vanderbilt.
“When I joined USAC, I found connection and community during a time of uncertainty,” Putnam concluded. “And what I’ve come to believe is, staff are not just a part of the Vanderbilt story—we are essential to it.”
Sydney Savion—the university’s first vice chancellor for people, culture and belonging—also addressed staff, highlighting PCB’s recent achievements and the future of work at Vanderbilt.
“Everything you’ve seen today—every idea, every step forward—has one thing in common: you. You power our progress with your voice, your courage and your willingness to try,” Savion said. “Every time you grow, help a colleague, or share an idea, you move Vanderbilt forward—not through perfection, but participation.”
STAFF AWARDS
The assembly culminated with the presentation of staff awards by Diermeier and Savion.
Early Impact Award
The Early Impact Award recognizes staff members who have worked at Vanderbilt for a minimum of one year and less than five years and who have exhibited excellent performance that shows promise for future growth. This year, two recipients received the award: Michael Coley, an instructional technologist in the Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, and Jonathan Santana, the reasonable accommodation manager for the Equal Opportunity and Access office.
Coley helps to demystify the digital tools that support teaching and learning at Vanderbilt, working with faculty and students to open the possibilities of Brightspace—from building or viewing courses at the beginning of the semester, to posting or viewing final grades at the end. He’s also working to build AI literacy through workshops that explain how generative AI works.
Working as the reasonable accommodation manager, Santana explains complex laws—like the ADA—in a way that makes people comfortable asking questions and gives them a better understanding of their role in handling requests from employees and students. Through collaboration and expertise, Santana continues to ensure that all members of our community have opportunities to grow.
Mentorship Excellence Award
The Mentorship Excellence Award goes to a full-time staff member who inspires colleagues and promotes professional development by being a role model. Joey Simmons, lab manager for Professor Ken Lau’s lab in the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, received this award.
From the nomination, “Joey is infectiously excited about science.” He loves to talk about new ideas and discoveries with anyone who will listen, and he and the grad student researchers bounce ideas off each other. From guiding the students as they navigate new roles, to introducing new techniques and cutting-edge ideas, he helps them develop their scientific skills and increase their confidence.
One Vanderbilt Excellence Award
The One Vanderbilt Excellence Award recognizes a staff team, department and/or group that has demonstrated collaborative excellence on behalf of the university community. This year, the award went to the team that developed the new Immersion Vanderbilt dashboard on YES, or Your Enrollment Services, the primary online portal for student access to academic records and registration.
The team members recognized are:
Carolyn Roberts (Immersion Vanderbilt)
Alissa West (Immersion Vanderbilt)
Braylon Junior Lundergan (Office of Undergraduate Education)
Andrew McClenney (Process and Solution Implementations)
Zach Inman (Data and Strategic Analytics)
Aaron Villarreal (Process and Solution Implementations)
Cathy Whitlow (VUIT)
Tina Sevier (VUIT)
Daniel Murphree (VUIT)
Peyton Hall (VUIT)
Shawn Xu (VUIT)
From the nomination, “This team represents the radical collaboration of five departments to transition Immersion Vanderbilt from the costly external software that had been used since the program launched in 2018, to systems already in place at Vanderbilt that students and faculty were already using.” The team saved money and improved efficiency with a centralized tool, while transforming the way the campus community engages in experiential learning.
Belonging Excellence Award
The Belonging Excellence Award recognizes staff members who have demonstrated exceptional efforts in nurturing a sense of belonging within the Vanderbilt University community and shown dedication to creating an environment where all members feel valued, respected and empowered. Romy Frank, senior language teaching specialist and outreach coordinator at the English Language Center, is this year’s winner.
Frank, who grew up in Germany and studied in the U.S. as an international student, has special insight into the challenges international students face. It inspired her to create environments where they feel valued and supported. Among those efforts: working with the Career Center to create a resource that helps international students navigate the complexities of interviewing; bringing together almost 100 domestic and international students for cultural exchange during “Let’s Spill the (Bubble) Tea: Small Talk 101”; and taking her ELC courses to spots like Elliston Place Soda Shop to introduce them to life in Nashville and help her students build a sense of belonging on and off campus.
Commodore Award
The Commodore Award goes to staff members who have made significant contributions to Vanderbilt’s pursuit of excellence in education, research and community service. Two people are being honored with the Commodore Award this year: Melissa Wocher, director of faculty affairs in the College of Arts and Science, and Jawarece Koja, a custodian for the Greek Houses in the West End Neighborhood.
From the nomination for Wocher: She has shepherded faculty from their inaugural steps at Vanderbilt to their culminating accolades and has led many through the thicket of college and university policies. She is “the anchor that holds steady and keeps you pointed toward the lighthouse while you weather the storm. The Commodore himself would have appreciated such an anchor.”
From the nomination for Koja: “Jawarece and his colleagues keep our beautiful campus clean so that every day it will be an inspiring environment for all members of our community. In fact, Jawarece is so dedicated to this mission that he has to be reminded to take PTO! But he brings more than just reliability to work each day—he brings joy. His contagious happiness and sense of humor lift everyone’s spirits.”
Dare to Grow Prize
The Dare to Grow Prize recognizes individuals and teams who embody the university’s motto, Crescere aude, “dare to grow.” This award celebrates agility, creative solutions and a willingness to embrace challenges in the pursuit of excellence within the Vanderbilt community. This year, the Dare to Grow Prize was awarded to the members of the Office of the General Counsel:
- Michelle Tellock
- Amber Payne
- Heather Perry
- Monica Chmiel
- Crystal Nguyen
From the nomination: “With guidance from this group, our university has been able to sail with a steady hand, despite potential headwinds and rough waters. They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to navigate our way through change and complex legal and regulatory challenges with dedication and expertise. Through their tireless advocacy and diligent efforts, they have played a vital role in ensuring our campus community can continue to thrive.”
