Models of Excellence 2025 Gallery
Penn Models of Excellence
FAFSA Simplification Act Pilot Team
Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act Pilot Team educated and trained students, families, staff, and faculty on the impact of changes to the FAFSA application process and federal funding. The team developed and presented educational sessions throughout campus, resulting in a seamless application process for students and families and achieving a positive revenue stream of over $250 million in federal funding for the University.
Diana A. Johnson
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Graduate School of Education
Diana A. Johnson, Executive Assistant for the Dean’s Office at GSE, exemplifies dedication as a steadfast supporter of multiple deans. She handles intricate schedules, sensitive matters, and cross-functional projects with grace. A cornerstone of the school’s culture, Diana shares a wealth of institutional knowledge. Her reassuring, approachable presence is highly valued by faculty and staff.
Joint Research Practices Working Group
Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Joint Research Practices (JRP) Working Group is a collaboration between the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) and the Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center. The JRP develops and disseminates best practices for conducting research that welcomes people from all backgrounds and represents the community we serve. The working group also provides free online resources and hands-on training on how to practice research in ways that build trust, promote fairness, and respect the experiences and contributions of all patients. The goal of the JRP is to make academic research more accessible to everyone.
Leslie M. Levin
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Graduate School of Education
Leslie M. Levin, Vice Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs in GSE, unified all centralized student services under one cohesive umbrella. She created systems and processes to maintain strong enrollment and provide the highest-quality experience to students. She plays a crucial role by prioritizing a culture of service to ensure that GSE offers students appropriate guidance and support.
Mental Health Co-Responder Program
Model of Excellence Award Winner
The Mental Health Co-Responder Program is designed to enhance the University’s response to urgent student mental health emergencies during overnight and weekend hours. The program reduces stigma and potential barriers to accessing necessary emergency care for students in crisis. The team successfully expanded upon the virtual co-responder model to incorporate professional, in-person mental health services to provide a safe, efficient experience for students as well as emergency responders.
Cindy Nguyen
Model of Excellence Award Winner
School of Arts and Sciences
Cindy Nguyen, Information Technology Support Specialist in School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), is the go-to person for institutional knowledge and serves as a pivotal member of the Knowledge Management team within SAS Computing. Cindy has solidified many new standard processes and stands out as an excellent example of genuine dedication to the community. She embodies the goal of helping researchers get their work done.
Bob Paul
Model of Excellence Award Winner
Wharton School
Bob Paul, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Wharton School, inspires his team to exceed fundraising targets through collaboration, integrity, and strategic vision. His leadership has been pivotal in advancing interdisciplinary initiatives, including Wharton’s AI and Environmental, Social, and Governance efforts. With over a decade of service, Bob's empathy and trust-based relationships with stakeholders have set him apart, while his mentorship has fostered team growth and development.
Anthony DeValerio
Pillars of Excellence Award Winner
Facilities and Real Estate Services
Anthony DeValerio, Chargeperson in Facilities and Real Estate Services, oversees the operation and maintenance of all campus cooling and refrigerant‐based systems. He ensures reliable performance across the University's infrastructure, which includes two centralized chilled water plants and an extensive 16‐mile underground distribution network. Anthony's outstanding implementation of corrective, preventative, and predictive maintenance strategies has maximized system performance and reliability, which supports the University’s mission by providing a comfortable, efficient, and sustainable environment for learning and research.
Weining Guo
Pillars of Excellence Award Winner
Student Services
Weining Guo, Senior Application Developer in Student Services, is a driving force in redesigning the technical infrastructure for departments across the University Life division. Her work has drastically increased the capacity and efficiency of the division and improved the user experience for both students and staff. Weining was vital in developing University Life’s account management portal, a critical tool that provides technical access to new and existing staff, automating several essential processes to free up the technical team for other initiatives. Weining has increased the technical security and stability of the University Life division.
Hitomi Yoshida
Pillars of Excellence Award Winner
Student Services
Hitomi Yoshida, Financial Administrative Coordinator at the Penn Women's Center (PWC), manages the Center’s financial activities. She was instrumental in re‐engaging the Penn community after COVID impacted the center's initiatives, to create a space where students and colleagues feel comfortable coming to the center for programs and individual support. Hitomi created more leadership opportunities for work‐study students, empowering them to organize programming aligned with their passions and the PWC mission. Hitomi also streamlined financial processes to help student organizations revitalize and grow their programs.
Edwin Berrios
Model Supervisor Award Winner
Residental and Hospitality Services
Edwin Berrios, Associate Director for Building Operations in Residental and Hospitality Services, leads a team that directly supports 6,000 on-campus residents. He is a patient mentor who strengthens the community by promoting well-being and work-life integration. He empowers conversations by encouraging his team to explore ways to better serve our students, families, and peers with empathy and care.
Adrian Madison Cario
Model Supervisor Award Winner
Wharton School
Adrian Madison Cario, Executive Director of Wharton San Francisco, transformed Wharton’s West Coast campus workplace by cultivating deep relationships and fostering greater collaboration. Adrian empowers their team by creating an environment where everyone feels truly valued and respected. Among other initiatives, Adrian launched the internal Fog Lifter Award, which recognizes colleagues who bring clarity and insight to discussions.
Melissa Kelly
Model Supervisor Award Winner
Provost's Center
Melissa Kelly, Deputy Managing Director at the Penn Center for Innovation, transformed the Corporate Contracts and Licensing teams through comprehensive mentorship and collaborative relationships. She is intentional and thoughtful about how individuals can grow and contribute. Melissa's strategic vision and dedication have enhanced the morale of her teams and the quality of services they provide to the Penn community.
Katia Strieck
Model Supervisor Award Winner
University Library
Katia Strieck, Goldstein Director in the Information Processing Center and Library Research Annex in the University Library, is a visionary leader who advances strategic initiatives to build dynamic resources, tools, and expertise that inspire critical inquiry and creative expression. Katia manages change with finesse, ensuring smooth transitions for staff within the evolving landscape of library services. Katia approaches each challenge with a consistently calm demeanor and focus on achieving the best outcome for her staff and the institution.