Vega Receives Academic Affairs Staff Award
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Maricruz Vega, Director of Research Administration for the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Academic Affairs Staff Awards by the Office of the Provost in partnership with the Academic Affairs Staff Advisory Council (AASAC). She is one of 16 staff members from across Academic Affairs to receive the award for demonstrating excellent performance in their work and service to their stakeholders, and for contributing to the overall success of their unit, school or college, and/or the university as a whole.
"Mari has re-invented the SPHHS post-award budget management processes and systems for external research awards," writes Professor and Interim Chair of Health Promotion and Policy Elizabeth Evans in her nomination letter. She notes the many improvements that Vega has led over the past year, including streamlining workflow, increasing efficiency and educating faculty about post-award services, among other improvements. "She has immensely improved the experiences of myself and that of all our faculty in managing external grants. I think of Mari as a 'secret resource' that has helped us to retain faculty, especially those faculty with large funding portfolios, which has in turn reduced faculty stress levels and helped us to do the research, teaching, and service that makes it all worthwhile. We are so lucky to have Mari!"
Chosen from more than 100 nominations, the staff members were recognized at the Provost Awards luncheon celebration in the Student Union Ballroom on Feb. 13 for their contributions in the categories of Positivity in the Workplace, Teamwork and Dedication, DEIB/JEDI Champion and Change Agent.
“The exceptional work of this year’s recipients embodies our commitment and the dedication of our staff members to promoting inclusive excellence, advancing research and scholarship, and supporting a culture of both innovation and well-being,” said Provost Fouad Abd-El-Khalick. “Our deserving staff members have a monumental impact on our campus, and they have my deepest gratitude for the dedication and hard work they contribute to our community.”