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UC engineering celebrates staff excellence

Three staff members from the College Engineering and Applied Science honored

headshot of Diana Riggs By Diana Riggs
4 minute read August 21, 2020

Sherry Liao, PhD, was chosen for the 2020 Mary McCormick Distinguished Staff Award. Liao is the program coordinator for the college’s Joint Cooperative Institute, a partnership between UC and Chongqing University (CQU) that offers the first mandatory cooperative engineering education program in China.  

“I am so humbled and honored to have received the Mary McCormick Distinguished Staff Award,” Liao said. “I appreciate [the college] giving me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful faculty members, staff and students.”  

The McCormick Staff Award honors a member of the college staff who has demonstrated exemplary service that has significantly contributed to and furthered the mission of the college by demonstrating dependability, dedication, supporting and encouraging community spirit, consistently going above and beyond ordinary job duties, demonstrating initiative and innovation in work.  

Liao says she is extremely grateful to Paul Orkwis, PhD, Special Assistant to the Dean for International Programs, and Co-Director of the Joint Co-op Institute Tom Huston, PhD.  

“[They] enabled and trusted me to develop creative solutions for the challenges JCI presented,” said Liao. 

This May, 88 JCI students received their degrees. This is the third cohort of graduates for the institute. 

“Ultimately, I feel that this significant award is for everyone on our JCI team,” said Liao.  

A headshot of a women with long red hair, wearing glasses, an aqua cardigan, and a white shirt.

Carol Ross was recognized for her service to the college.

 Carol Ross, associate director of the Pre-Award Office, was honored for Employee Excellence. 

“I like helping faculty be successful with securing external funding,” said Ross. 

The office assists faculty with preparing and submitting about 450 grant proposals annually. 

“It’s very interesting to read cutting edge science from so many different fields,” said Ross.  

Her team processes proposals to a large variety of sponsors to gain external support for research and educational projects, most recently some related to COVID-19 detection, handling and protection.  

“I was quite surprised to hear and see my name called,” said Ross. “It’s very nice to be appreciated for what I contribute to those submissions.” 

Gretchen Hart, director of undergraduate advising for the college, was also recognized for Employee Excellence. 

“[I feel] completely surprised and humbled,” said Hart, who leads a team of 14 academic advisers. “[In the midst of] trying to keep aligned with the constant change and chaos that COVID-19 has brought to higher education, this was a moment to pause to reflect a bit.”  

Hart’s team has been working hard to devise creative, safe, responsive ways to inform and guide students as they continue their education throughout the pandemic and the resulting rapid changes in circumstances and policies.

“I have felt that the last six months have been reactionary and a constant state of ‘emergency. It is difficult to think I have been there for anyone in the way I would prefer,” said Hart. “This filled me up a bit…particularly as I sorely miss the in-person contact with faculty, staff, and students.” 

“We have amazing staff members throughout the college. Certainly Sherry, Carol, and Gretchen are wonderful examples of the great dedication I’ve witnessed throughout my first year at UC,” said John Weidner, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.  “The proactive approach they take to their jobs keeps three important areas of the college running smoothly.”

Featured image at top: The Engineering Research Center. Photo/UC Creative+Brand

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