Staff Achievement

James Even, Clinician, Center for Students with Disabilities

Student Affairs Excellence Award:  From the time of Jim’s interview with the CSD, it was clear that his personal and professional philosophy of life, community service, and education aligned perfectly with DePaul University’s mission and values. One of Jim’s first students had significant challenges navigating the campus environment. Jim took his own time to guide the student around campus to important offices and classrooms. At the end of this specialized tour, Jim bought the student lunch at Chipotle with his own funds. Jim has extended this radical hospitality to a great number of students, families, guests, staff, faculty, and administrators.

The Office of Student Involvement and Residential Education

Collaboration Award:   Student Involvement and Residential Education demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively together towards a singular goal that brought  benefit to the campus community.   Days before DemonThon, several unforeseen issues put the annual children’s hospital fundraiser in jeopardy.  The departure of the staff advisor, change in venue and related financial resources cast serious doubt on the 2019 program.  Student Involvement and Residential Education were able to come together and develop creative solutions and shared ownership in the design and execution of the program.  In addition, both departments made a commitment to have staff present throughout the 24 hour program.

Vanessa Martinez, Coordinator, Office of Multicultural Student Success

Outstanding New Staff Professional:  As the OMSS PATHS Coordinator, Vanessa has been a great advocate for supporting students of color, students who demonstrate financial need, first-generation college students, undocumented immigrant students, and students with marginalized genders and sexualities. She has worked diligently to spearhead new OMSS initiatives and relaunch former programs to ensure students have access to career and graduate school resources upon graduating.  Through Vanessa’s leadership and expertise, she was able to make connections with campus partners and develop quarterly institutes for our students. Each quarter, students are able to connect with DePaul partners and external organizations to discuss career goals and graduate school options.

Carrie Don, Business Manager, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Lou O’Brien Spirit of Student Affairs Award:  Carrie is tireless, dedicated and fun to work with. Even when her work is challenging, she has a quick smile and a hearty laugh that is disarming and infectious.  She is accessible, incredibly helpful and a champion for the division, able to see both the bigger picture and the small, important details that help the division move forward in a cohesive way. Her work is often “unseen,” but the impact is significant. Carrie is an extremely hard worker, often putting in extra hours to help staff and departments in times of need. Outside of her daily responsibilities, Carrie is always giving of her time to the division and the university, be it proctoring in the Center for Students with Disabilities, assisting with graduation ceremonies, helping with welcome week, sorority recruitment, FEST, Midnight Breakfast, or even the staff and faculty choir at the tree lighting ceremony - she is often one of the first to volunteer when asked.

Bill Johnson, Staff Psychologist, University Counseling Services

Innovation Award:  Bill Johnson was instrumental in planning, preparing and laying the groundwork for the launch of "Let's Talk" in the OMSS space/Black Cultural and Resource Center in spring 2019 and served as the inaugural "Let's Talk" consultant and counselor. "Let's Talk" is a program that provides drop-in consultations outside of the UCS space.  It's a unique outreach and consultation program designed to make the idea of speaking with a counselor more accessible, especially for students with marginalized identities who may be less likely to reach out for care. Bill did excellent work with the initial launch of this new service, which we expect to continue to grow to meet the needs of traditionally underserved populations -- making counseling and support services more accessible and available.