April 10, 2015
Going the extra mile: Faculty, staff recognized for service and commitment to students
Three Kansas State University employees have earned a Putting Students First Award for outstanding work with students.
The award recognizes faculty and staff, particularly in the Division of Student Life, who go the extra mile in advising, teaching and service to students. Recipients are nominated by peers, supervisors and students.
Award recipients are Daniel Kuester, director of undergraduate studies and the Roger Trenary chair in the economics department, College of Arts & Sciences, faculty award; Madai' Rivera, coordinator of academic services and diversity/Hispanic recruitment, College of Human Ecology, staff award; and Glenn Spurlin III, apartment life coordinator, Housing and Dining Services, staff award.
"This award shines a light on the best and brightest of our campus faculty and staff in the Division of Student Life for dedicated service," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "I can think of no better way to say 'thank you' on behalf of our students."
Carla Jones, assistant vice president and senior associate dean of student life, leads the Student Life Staff Development Committee, which chooses the recipients of the award.
"These recipients bring such dedication to making the campus environment special for students. It is a pleasure to honor them," Jones said.
Kuester has served in his current position since 2008. In addition to teaching large lecture courses in economics, he is an academic advisor to approximately 50 undergraduate students, faculty advisor to the Economics Club, and he began a debate series.
Rivera has served as the College of Human Ecology's coordinator of academic services and diversity since 2007. Her duties include coordinating recruitment and retention of students, referring students to supportive services, providing general advising of curricula, representing the college at all campuswide recruitment events, coordinating college visits, translating college information in Spanish, and developing marketing plans for the college. Rivera has also serves as an admissions coordinator for Hispanic recruitment.
Spurlin has been a residence life coordinator since 2012. He is responsible for coordinating operations and processes for a 15-building apartment complex that houses 600 residents; supervision of the assistant apartment living coordinators and resident assistants; advising a hall governing board; tracking and collaboratively manage occupancy processes; and adjudicating student conduct hearings. He also is the co-chair of the Professional Development Committee and serves on the Professional Hiring Committee, International Student Services and Housing Advisory Committee and the K-State Book Network's Common Book Selection Committee.