Jersky, Nicholas, and Robinson Receive 2025 Outstanding Staff Award

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Congratulations to the 2025 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: 

Brandina Jersky
Director of Administration and Finance, Department of Sociology

Since joining the Department of Sociology in December 2022, Brandina has become an essential leader and stabilizing force. She stepped into a department facing staffing gaps, organizational challenges, and major transitions, including the relocation of programs and the launch of the American Sociological Review editorship. She handled it all with creativity, professionalism, and calm.

Colleagues across the department describe Brandina as indispensable. She has taken on nearly every administrative role at some point, learning quickly and offering support wherever needed. Her mentorship and leadership have transformed the department’s culture, helping to rebuild a collaborative, supportive, and efficient work environment following a period of significant staff turnover.

Brandina also led efforts to streamline complex processes, including coordinating a $1M+ NSF grant involving multiple campus units. Her ability to navigate university systems and resolve post-award challenges helped ensure a smooth experience for faculty, setting a new standard for efficiency.

Known for her integrity, kindness, and strategic thinking, Brandina is credited with “turning the ship around” and creating a department that staff and faculty are proud to be part of. Whether mentoring new hires, solving grant logistics, or helping the department thrive through change, she represents the very best of SBS.

Kellie Nicholas
Associate Director of Academic Programs, Department of Resource Economics

Kellie has demonstrated extraordinary versatility, initiative, and dedication in her role supporting academic programs and marketing within Resource Economics. Over the past year, she has managed a growing set of responsibilities with exceptional impact, handling everything from scheduling and graduate support to department communications and marketing strategy.

With a background in marketing and deep institutional knowledge, Kellie has brought creativity and efficiency to the department. She single-handedly upgraded the department’s website, coordinating new photography and content while continuing to manage core responsibilities. She also developed newsletters, posters, videos, and social media content that have energized the department’s outreach. Her work has filled a critical gap, essentially performing the duties of two staff roles and saving the university significant resources.

Kellie’s contributions extend well beyond her department. She temporarily supported the Department of Communication during a staffing vacancy, quickly overhauling outdated systems to improve scheduling and streamline processes. Her initiatives reduced faculty workload and enhanced transparency across stakeholders.

Colleagues consistently praise Kellie’s professionalism, quick turnaround times, collaborative spirit, and genuine care for students and coworkers. Her behind-the-scenes efforts, such as building surveys for a department name change that helped triple major applications, are matched by her generosity in mentoring peers and setting up long-term infrastructure for future staff.

Kellie’s work embodies the best of SBS: innovative, collegial, and deeply committed to student and departmental success.

Nancy Robinson
Office Manager, Department of Resource Economics

Nancy is an essential and beloved presence in the Department of Resource Economics. Known for her warmth, dependability, and dedication, Nancy supports students, faculty, and staff with care and professionalism that consistently goes above and beyond.

This year, Nancy was critical to expanding the department’s Tax School to the Mt. Ida campus. Though well outside her formal responsibilities, she volunteered to assist in planning and logistics, traveling to Mt. Ida and working on-site for three days. Thanks largely to her support, the program more than doubled its attendance, expanding access and impact.

Nancy is also credited with helping lead the department’s smooth transition to the Concur system, a feat not easily accomplished, and reflects her adaptability and initiative. From researching practical solutions to proctoring exams and mentoring students, Nancy is always willing to pitch in where needed.

Her office is more than a workspace. It is a welcoming hub that brings joy to the department community. Her playful and seasonal bird decorations are a favorite among students and colleagues alike, symbolizing the daily lighthearted spirit and positivity she brings to campus.

Despite facing personal challenges over the past year, Nancy has remained a steady and uplifting force. Her resilience, kindness, and can-do attitude make her a vital staff member and a source of inspiration.

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.