The Model Supervisor Award

Congratulations,
2026 Models of Excellence Honorees!

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• 2026 Models of Excellence Honorees

The annual Model Supervisor Award, established in 2007, is given to Penn supervisors who demonstrate exemplary behaviors and serve as outstanding role models. They fulfill the University’s principles and practices through their leadership. 

Model Supervisor Standards

The Selection Committee identifies Model Supervisors based on their noteworthy ability to:

• Act as leaders who serve
• Grow opportunity and strengthen community through the promotion of well-being, work-life integration, and personal and professional development opportunities
• Cultivate leadership and service by sustaining a collaborative and constructive workplace
• Support their team by using fair and consistent procedures, and by treating everyone with dignity, respect, and integrity
• Lead on great challenges by creating solutions, removing unnecessary barriers to achievement, and communicating goals and expectations clearly to maintain staff accountability

2026 Model Supervisors

Marc Felice, Provost’s Center

Marc Felice, Associate Director of Imaging Physics and Radiation Safety, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, is a skilled leader who creates pathways for his team’s professional growth and provides exemplary mentorship to the diagnostic medical physicists he supervises. Marc played an integral part in the creation of the Imaging Physics Residency Program at Penn, which provides clinical training to the next generation of diagnostic medical physicists. Marc works diligently to ensure that radiation is used safely in research and clinical spaces throughout the University, Penn Medicine, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Elaine Papas Varas, Division of Finance

Elaine Papas Varas, Senior University Director of Student Financial Aid, is a visionary leader whose compassionate and student-centered approach has transformed financial aid and student support. She helped create Penn’s Highly Aided Initiatives. This program has expanded resources for students, providing essentials like laptops, health insurance, and internship funding. Program participation has grown from 800 to 1,450 students. Elaine also revamped the service model for Graduate Aid, improving performance and satisfaction across schools. Amid unprecedented federal changes, her proactive communication and steady leadership have upheld excellence, access, and affordability, making Penn’s financial aid program a national model of innovation.

Lily Zhang, Penn Global

Lily Zhang, Director of Advising, Compliance, IT, and Operations in the International Student and Scholar Services Office of Penn Global, is a driving force behind Penn’s success in immigration compliance and technological innovation. She has led transformative initiatives that modernized systems, streamlined regulatory processes, and enhanced service delivery for international students and scholars. Her strategic use of technology has improved efficiency and transparency, while her deep expertise in compliance ensures Penn remains a trusted institution for global engagement. Lily’s leadership consistently fosters collaboration, precision, and forward-thinking solutions.