Staff Recognition

The Staff Council welcomes submissions about staff accomplishments to highlight on this web page and in the monthly Staff Council newsletter. Please use this form to submit information about yourself or a colleague (please make sure to get your colleague's permission first). Questions? Please email staffcouncil@usfca.edu.

Staff Award: Fr. William J. Dunne Award

In May 2024, Program Assistant IV and Program Assistant Lead Kimberly Garrett of the English & Comparative Literature and MFA in Writing Program departments won the Fr. William J. Dunne Award. This award honors an individual or team who has demonstrated excellence to USF, the extended university community, and the community at large through service, creativity, innovation, and leadership above and beyond the scope of regular job duties.

In particular, Kimberly was recognized for her extraordinary work in creating, organizing, and sustaining the Writers of Discontent event. Kimberly has used these events to raise awareness and funds for some important social justice causes, including most recently in support of March for Our Lives and its fight against gun violence. Her efforts have helped to raise around $6,000 to support various causes, with funds going to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Stop AAPI Hate, March For Our Lives, and Glide Memorial Church, among others. Congratulations, Kimberly!

Staff Award: Jason Pender Staff Member of the Year

At the Latine/x Recognition Ceremony in May 2024, School of Nursing and Health Professions staff Gina Alvarez received the Jason Pender Staff Member of the Year Award. This award is named in honor of Jason Pender, a former USF staff member driven by social justice values and tirelessly advocating for and with marginalized students at USF. This award honors a staff member working in the area of campus who strives to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all. They embody what it means to be a "person for and with others." Congratulations, Gina!

Presentations and Scholarship

In Fall 2023, Dresden June Frazier, MA '21, Carla Berenice Trujillo, MA '23, and Karin M. Cotterman, EdD, '23 published a book chapter, "Addressing Anti-Blackness Through Place-based Work" in the edited book, Anti-Racist Community Engagement: Principles and Practices, Santana, C., Ward. E. et. al. Campus Compact, Stylus Publishing. Dresden, Carla and Karin are current or former staff with Engage San Francisco in the Leo T. McCarthy Center. The Staff Council congratulates our colleagues on their valuable contribution to such important work.