Models of Excellence 2024 Gallery
Penn Models of Excellence
Bill Dickson
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Facilities and Real Estate Services
Bill Dickson, Custodian in Facilities and Real Estate Services, has been a dedicated member of the housekeeping team for 35 years. He has consistently committed to innovation and improvement and has taken a lead role in developing the Enhanced Housekeeping Program and assisted in creating Sustainability training. William has also been a dynamic presence in assisting his team members with everything from rides to work and information on the Penn Commuter Program to supporting his co-workers with Workday.
Sharon Fleshman
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Student Services
Sharon Fleshman, Senior Associate Director in Career Services, exemplifies confident, compassionate, and thoughtful leadership, supervising a team dedicated to supporting students in helping professions. Sharon demonstrates a clear passion for social justice and DEI in her work. Her commitment to the professional development of staff on her team is evident from the success they enjoy in their careers.
Janell Wiseley
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Development and Alumni Relations
Janell Wiseley, Program Coordinator for Penn Alumni Lifelong Learning in Alumni Relations, is the ultimate example of what it means to be a colleague -- generous with her expertise and time, kind, thoughtful, and encouraging. She exemplifies effectiveness, efficiency, and continuous improvement in all she does.
Leslie Vallhonrat
Model of Excellence Award Winner
University Library
Leslie Vallhonrat, Web Developer and Designer for the Penn Libraries, shows a deep commitment to advocating for accessibility as a means towards inclusion and equitability in institutions of higher learning. She developed the Libraries-wide Accessibility Ambassadors program, coordinated time-sensitive website updates to relocate 1.5 million Van Pelt Library books, and contributed to the facilitation of the libraries' daily operations, supporting dozens of staff members and thousands of online visitors.
Mary Marcopul
Model of Excellence Award Winner
School of Arts and Sciences
Mary Marcopul, Lecturer Demonstration Coordinator in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has increased the academic support in the department, expanded the reach and scope of the lecture demonstrations, and championed the introduction of modern and inclusive pedagogical practices. Mary is a mentor and a vocal proponent of women and other underrepresented groups in physics and astronomy.
Kayla Clark
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Perelman School of Medicine
Kayla Clark, Project Manager in the Division of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, is an essential team member for the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Initiative. Kayla has overcome challenges, collaborated, built relationships across the Penn community, and made remarkable improvements to the research operations. Her work informed the development of the initiative's new centralized program, Penn Medicine Healthy Heart, which treats hypertension and hyperlipidemia, increases smoking cessation, and improves nutrition.
Adam Roth-Saks
Model of Excellence Award Winner
School of Social Policy and Practice
Adam Roth-Saks, Administrative Director of the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program, is a model leader who advocates not only for his team but also for the entire Penn community. He launched one of the first fully online master's programs. Adam encourages collaboration and innovation within and across teams and gives everyone a seat at the table.
Jane F. Holahan
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Student Services
Jane F. Holahan, Director of the Weingarten Learning Resource Center, has proven herself a transformative leader, developing the Weingarten Center into a unified department known as "Penn's Home for Academic Support and Disability Services" while showing deep care and dedication in supporting both staff and students through unprecedented challenges.
Erin Brown
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Division of Human Resources
Erin Brown, Director of the Penn Employee Solution Center, is a dedicated, encouraging, and heartfelt leader. Erin elevates every conversation and situation she touches by never losing sight of the human element in Human Resources. She has raised the profile of the Penn Employee Solution Center as an outstanding service while supporting the development, engagement, and well-being of the employees on her team.
Teri Scott
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Teri Scott, Director of Marketing at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, expertly led a major rebranding campaign, pushed for new, visitor-focused initiatives, focused on new and diverse markets and increasing media awareness of the Morris and its activities. She is determined to make everyone she encounters feel valued.
DEEPenn STEM Organizing Team
Model Supervisor Award Winner
The DEEPenn STEM Organizing Team orchestrated a grassroots graduate school preview event showcasing Penn's interdisciplinary research by promoting inclusivity. Tailored for undergraduates who have limited information and opportunities to pursue advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), this initiative bridged the information gap in STEM graduate recruitment efforts at the University of Pennsylvania.
Let's Talk Team
Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Let's Talk Team is a diverse panel of experts who provide culturally and linguistically appropriate emotional well-being services through informal, confidential drop-in counseling. Let's Talk provides easily accessible services that challenge the stigma around mental health and create a safe, non-judgmental environment. The innovative initiative actively engages with students to address their concerns and equip them with life skills.
The Penn Cooks Team
Model of Excellence Award Winner
To celebrate the diversity of the students, and to provide them with opportunities to explore and appreciate their own and others’ identities and experiences through food, the Penn Cooks team created Penn Cooks - Culture, Community, and Cuisine. This program features chefs and cuisines from various backgrounds, partners with campus groups and cultural centers to select the food and the chef, and invites students to join a special meal and a friendly discussion about the chef’s culture and history.
The PVP Consent Circles Team Members
Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Consent Circles Team at Penn Violence Prevention (PVP) designed a unique educational opportunity for all incoming Penn students during New Student Orientation. The team works collaboratively with orientation administrators, peer educators, and dozens of staff supporters to deliver peer-led consent education that moves beyond compliance and embraces an opportunity to build healthy relationship skills with new students in their first days on campus to create a safer and healthier Penn community.