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Provost Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, in partnership with the Academic Affairs Staff Advisory Council (AASAC), has announced that 17 staff members from across Academic Affairs have been named recipients of the 2026 Provost’s Staff Excellence Award.

Selected for demonstrating exceptional performance in their work and service to their stakeholders and for their contributions to the overall success of their unit, school or college, and/or the university as a whole, the winners will be honored at the Provost’s Staff Excellence Awards luncheon and celebration in the Student Union Ballroom on Wednesday, March 25.

“This year’s slate of recipients is a truly inspiring group of UMass Amherst community members,” says Abd-El-Khalick. “It has been an honor for me, as well as those involved in the selection process, to learn more about their contributions. I encourage everyone to thank them for the ways they have improved our operations and processes, supported our students, faculty, and staff, and made our community a warmer, more equitable and excellent place to learn and work.”

The winners were selected from a pool of over 160 total nominations to be recognized for their contributions in one of four categories: Positivity in the Workplace, Teamwork and Dedication, DEIB/JEDI Champion and Change Agent.

The Provost’s Staff Excellence Award Winners for 2026 are:

• Tien Bui, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Marc Cameron, Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures
• Wesley Dunham, iCons Program
• Ian Eggleston, Stockbridge School of Agriculture
• Alice Feldman, Commonwealth Honors College,
• James Foster, Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences                  
• Pamela Haskins, Department of Art
• Kristin Jensen, Department of Theater
• Mohammad Amjad Khan, Department of Earth, Geographic and Climate Sciences
• Lauren Lamica, Financial Aid Services
• Tricia Loveland, W.E.B Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies
• Amanda Major, Undergraduate Student Success
• Michael Marr, School of Public Policy
• Beverly Morrison, Department of Anthropology
• Amelia Sutton, University Libraries
• Liz Theroux, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
• Colleen Wetzel, College of Humanities and Fine Arts