Announcing the 2024 SBS Outstanding Staff Award Winners

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Congratulations to the 2024 SBS Outstanding Staff Award Recipients! This award was instituted in 2015 to recognize the contributions and impact of staff members across the College. This year’s recipients are:   

• Lindsay Kruzlic, human resources assistant, SBS Dean’s Office 
• Mark Landeryou, graduate programs manager, Department of Economics 
• Sophie Williamson, department administrator, Department of Journalism 

 Each awardee is nominated by their supervisors and peers. Those who receive this award show a commitment to growth in responsibility and professional development; an ability to improve work processes and systems for increased efficiency; and the willingness to foster a collaborative, positive, and motivating work environment.  

 Known for her positive attitude and sense of humor, Lindsay Kruzlic has brought creative problem-solving skills to her role of human resources assistant in the SBS Dean’s Office. Her good-natured team spirit has been invaluable while handling the ever-shifting campus HR policies. Quick to tackle any new challenge, Kruzlic is known for her ability to solve difficult problems while also pursuing training in new areas like budgeting and finance. In short, she is willing to step in and help, even for projects that are not in her job description. “Lindsay is a ray of sunshine in the office. She goes above and beyond to create a fun work environment and contribute to the Dean’s Office team…her positivity is infectious!”  

 According to his colleagues, Mark Landeryou’s “willingness to assist, even when tasks fall out of his purview, makes him special.” Since joining the Department of Economics as the graduate programs manager, Landeryou has worked hard to improve Department systems, including taking records from physical files to digital storage and assisting faculty and staff with IT needs. Graduate students within the Department have expressed thankfulness to Landeryou for his patience and assistance with everything from the application process to the graduate program to offering guidance on finding employment post-graduation. According to a current student, “Mark is an amazing support to grad students…I just appreciate how he shows up for students and the Department every day.”  

 As the department administrator for the Department of Journalism, Sophie Williamson is known for her ability to seamlessly handle a multitude of difficult tasks with an unflappable sense of expertise and control. In addition to organizing and facilitating the recent search for a new faculty member, Williamson stepped in to support accounting and financial needs after the unexpected departure of the Department’s accountant. She is also known for her organizational skills, ensuring that full-time faculty, adjuncts, and staff members all have the information they need to succeed in their roles at UMass. Her colleagues note, “We are incredibly proud and fortunate to have her. Without her presence, our Department wouldn’t be what it is, which means our students wouldn’t be getting the education they deserve. It is a privilege to be her colleague and her approach to work is more than inspiring – it is unquestionably worthy of formal recognition.”  

 SBS is pleased to recognize the outstanding work of these three staff members. The SBS Outstanding Staff Award is presented annually to those nominated by their peers. Please visit SBS Staff Awards for the complete nomination requirements and a list of all past winners.