Eighteen University of Iowa staff members were honored with this year’s Staff Council Awards for achievements ranging from excellence in service to accomplishments that significantly benefited the university. Read more about each award and this year’s winners.
Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award
This award recognizes staff members in conjunction with colleagues from Iowa’s other state institutions. Their accomplishments have significantly benefited the university, brought honor or recognition to the university, and had a positive impact on the state of Iowa.
Omar Ahmad serves as deputy director of the Driving Safety Research Institute within the College of Engineering. He has more than 25 years of experience in driving safety and simulation research. Ahmad has led several significant projects, including the groundbreaking $7 million rural automated driving initiative. He is also a leader within the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board and is sought internationally for his expertise in simulation technology. Ahmad plays a significant role in supporting the university’s mission of advancing scholarly endeavors through leading-edge research.
Michele Lyn Countryman is the director of the UI Human Research Protection Program and Institutional Review Board within the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). She has more than two decades of experience in human subjects research administration. Since 2016, she has led the Human Research Protection Program in achieving five successful reaccreditations with the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. Through her collaborative with local organizations and health care providers, Countryman has helped bridge the gap between academic research and community needs that extends through Iowa City and the state of Iowa.
Adam Pyatt is the lead application developer at Information Technology Services–Administrative Information Systems. He has led the technical team in implementing significant changes to the Office of Student Financial Aid’s MAUI system for the 2024-25 award year. His leadership on the project ensured that the UI was the first university in the state of Iowa and in the Big Ten to process and distribute financial aid offers. Pyatt’s efforts on this project helped fall 2024 enrollment exceed expectations.
Keith Schilling is a state geologist and director of the Iowa Geological Survey within the College of Engineering, a position he has held for more than a decade. Under his leadership, the Iowa Geological Survey has completed more than 180 projects statewide and is currently leading an $11.3 million carbon sequestration project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Schilling’s work helps complement existing programs, such as the Iowa Flood Center and Iowa Nutrient Research Center, with effectively communicating the need to manage natural resources in the state for long-term sustainability and economic development.
David Tingwald is the licensure and standards coordinator in the College of Education. With more than 30 years of experience supporting students, Tingwald oversees licensure for educator preparation programs, manages state approval processes, and ensures compliance with policies. Tingwald played a key role in developing the Counseling and Behavioral Health Studies program and revising academic and professional standards policies.
Judy Warth serves as program manager at the Center for Disabilities and Development in UI Health Care. With more than 30 years of experience supporting employment for people with disabilities, Warth’s work includes high-intensity support, job coaching, and collaboration with state-level boards and committees. She is a nationally recognized expert and serves on the Iowa Coalition for Integration and Employment, both the local and national chapters of the Association for People Supporting Employment First, and a subcommittee of the Statewide Disability Access Committee.
Richard E. Gibson Merit Staff Award for Innovation and Excellence in Customer Service
This award recognizes an employee’s outstanding creativity and innovation in process improvement or exceptional achievement in providing customer service. Accomplishments must be outside the employee’s normal job responsibilities or must go above and beyond a position’s standard requirements.
Anna Ahlberg is an intra-oral craniofacial surgery technician in the UI’s Oral Surgery Clinic. She has been with the clinic since 2015 and played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting with testing. Ahlberg manages clinic supplies, serves as the central sterilizing liaison, and has significantly improved the organization and efficiency of the clinic’s operations.
Edwin West serves as manager of the Devlin Family Café in the Lindquist Center. Since the café’s opening in 2020, West has provided excellent customer service, fostered a sense of community, and advanced a welcoming culture while developing future leaders. His leadership extends to managing student employees and participating in the College of Education’s strategic priority group on employee engagement.
David J. Skorton Award for Staff Excellence in Service
This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions and have shown exceptional imagination and dedication to improving the university community. Service must include activities of high quality in staff governance, committee work, policy improvement, program creation, etc., and must be outside normal job duties.
Brooke McKeon is an institutional review board application analyst in the Human Subjects Research Office in OVPR. Throughout her eight years working in the office, McKeon has led operational improvements, created comprehensive manuals, and trained numerous employees. McKeon co-founded the Pre-Health Medical Conference and served as president of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, significantly contributing to student and community engagement.
Angela Melsa Worrell serves as clinical program coordinator at the College of Nursing. She has been in her role for 10 years, overseeing clinical placements, matching more than 200 students with preceptors each semester, and managing affiliation agreements with more than 75 health care organizations. Melsa Worrell has developed a regionalized approach to clinical placements and played a key role in creating the Notable Preceptor of the Year Award and the Preceptor Conference.
UI Outstanding Staff Award
This award recognizes staff who have made outstanding accomplishments and contributions that significantly benefited or brought honor or recognition to the university. Contributions must extend beyond those normally expected or required by job responsibilities.
Keith Becker is the senior director of talent acquisition in University Human Resources. In his nearly 20 years of service, he has transformed the talent acquisition unit by modernizing hiring processes, creating a centralized recruiting model, developing a staff employee value proposition, and collaborating on a faculty employee value proposition. Becker also improved recruitment and retention strategies for UI Health Care and was instrumental in the transition of the UI Health Care downtown campus into the UI Health Care system.
Donna Dolezal is the nurse manager in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. She has more than 30 years of experience in nursing, management, clinical teaching, and research. Dolezal has implemented evidence-based practices in areas such as obstructive sleep apnea, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and aromatherapy. Dolezal has received several awards, including the Daisy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024 and the 100 Great Iowa Nurses award in 2012.
Renea Jay serves as director of PhD programs at the Tippie College of Business. With more than 20 years of service, she advises graduate students, supports job placements, and organizes key events, such as the PhD Annual Fall Picnic and the PhD Alumni Conference. Jay also collaborates on program development and serves on various university committees, significantly contributing to the Tippie and UI communities.
Jennifer Jones is the Optimal Aging Initiative Program coordinator at the Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence. Jones has significantly enhanced the center’s outreach and visibility by building statewide relationships, creating an Adult Child Caregiver Support Group, and hosting the Embracing the Journey of Aging podcast. Jones’ efforts have expanded the center’s network and increased community engagement.
James Niemeier serves as research staff at IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering in the College of Engineering. He has been instrumental in designing, building, and deploying an extensive stream sensor network for the Iowa Flood Center. His expertise in electrical engineering supports critical flood, drought, and water quality monitoring. Niemeier’s problem-solving skills and dedication have significantly contributed to reducing flood risks and maintaining the integrity of the sensor network.
Keaton Rossman is a charge pharmacist in the IV Admixture Pharmacy at UI Health Care. Serving with UI Health Care since 2010, Rossman has navigated national fluid shortages, developed new medication protocols, and ensured compliance with revisions to national standards. Rossman’s leadership and dedication have significantly impacted patient care, pharmacy operations, and the overall health care community in the state of Iowa.
Welcoming and Respectful Environment Award
This award is given to staff members who work toward achieving a welcoming and supportive working environment. It is intended to celebrate those who work to engage with and respect all viewpoints, recognizing how it helps set the UI apart.
Laurie Haag serves as program developer at the Women’s Resource and Action Center. Haag has organized numerous events and volunteer opportunities, including Iowa City’s annual Pride event and Take Back the Night. She leads the Wractivist volunteer group, and has been instrumental in many welcoming and inclusive initiatives.
Betsy Justis is a licensure and standards associate in the College of Education. She supports nontraditional students in the Regents Alternative Pathway for Iowa Licensure program and fosters community within the Office of Student Services. Justis organizes events, such as “First Friday” meals, plant swaps, and birthday celebrations, enhancing the sense of community and support among staff and students.