Established in 1989, the Staff Senate Achievement Awards recognize employees who have brought distinction to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through personal achievement, service to the university, and service to the community. The awards are presented annually during the Staff Senate Awards Ceremony, which celebrates staff contributions and recognizes employees for their impact on the university and the broader community.

Learn more about each award and its recipient below.

Personal Growth Award

Nathan Treece, reporter and local host for Little Rock Public Radio, has received the Personal Growth Award. It recognizes an individual whose scholarship, research, or creative talent has been particularly outstanding.

鈥淚 would like to thank everyone at Little Rock Public Radio for considering me for this honor,鈥� Treece said. 鈥淚 couldn’t imagine a better group of people to work with. The team is so supportive of one another and works hard to bring critical information and educational programming to Arkansas’ airwaves every day.鈥�

Treece earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications with honors from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2017. He previously worked as a public information officer for the Arkansas Division of Heritage and spent four years in television news as a producer for KARK and KLRT. In his current role, he serves as a reporter and host of NPR鈥檚 Morning Edition for Little Rock Public Radio.

Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award

Sydney Ambrus, social media coordinator and videographer in the Office of Communications and Marketing, has received the Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award. It recognizes an individual who is distinctive in service through committees, special events, implementation of creative ideas, or support and encouragement of others.

鈥淚t is truly an honor to receive the Ben Fry Service Award. I love being out on campus, volunteering and collaborating with different committees and departments, and connecting with so many people across the university. I am incredibly grateful to be part of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community,鈥� Ambrus said.

Ambrus produces digital content that highlights university initiatives, student success, and campus life. She plays a key role in leading the university鈥檚 Maroon Monday campaign, a social media initiative that encourages students, faculty, and staff to wear maroon in support of the Trojans and helps build school spirit across campus.

Community Service Award

Ronda Petray, a program coordinator in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has received the Community Service Award. It recognizes an individual who has been particularly successful in organizing community events or has had major achievements in civic, service, or specialty organizations.

鈥淚t鈥檚 obviously very exciting to win a monetary award and to be recognized for continued support and contributions to my department, to my college, and to the university as a whole 鈥� there鈥檚 no way I could have gotten anywhere near as far if I didn鈥檛 have my core support team around me,鈥� Portray said. 鈥淓veryone I work with contributes to my daily successes. I couldn鈥檛 do anything without them all!鈥�

Petray supports student success initiatives and academic programs and is actively involved in student engagement efforts on campus, including her work with student organizations such as the Math Club.

For more information about the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Staff Senate, visit ualr.edu/staffsenate.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Honors Treece, Ambrus, Petray with 2026 Staff Achievement Awards appeared first on News.

Hosted by the Staff Senate, the ceremony honors retirees, employees celebrating milestone years of service, recent graduates, Staff Achievement Award recipients, and Staff Senate scholarship and book scholarship recipients.

“Recognizing staff achievements is essential to who we are as a university,” said Staff Senate President Don O’Donnell. “When we lift up the work of our colleagues, we honor the dedication that keeps our campus thriving and remind our community that every contribution鈥攕een or unseen鈥攈elps move our mission forward.”

Three Staff Achievement Awards will be presented to employees whose work reflects exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to the university.

鈥淪tudents and administrators can see the difference our faculty make on a daily basis,” said Chrissy Jones, Staff Senate Committee Chair and president-elect. “It’s also important to highlight the achievements of our staff, to let them know that their contributions behind the scenes are just as important as those efforts made on the front lines. Without the Staff Senate Achievement Awards, it would be easy to miss or disregard the work that goes into keeping the university running efficiently.鈥�

The Staff Senate Awards Ceremony provides an opportunity to formally acknowledge the contributions of staff members who support and advance 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 mission. Additional details about the Staff Achievement Awards, including criteria and past recipients, are available on the Staff Senate website.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to Celebrate Staff Excellence at Annual Staff Senate Awards Ceremony appeared first on News.

Muriel Schrepfer, graphic designer in the Office of Communications and Marketing, has received the Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award. The award recipient is an individual who is distinctive in service through committees, special events, implementation of creative ideas or support, and encouragement of others.

鈥淚’m honored to receive this award for my service and contributions to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� Schrepfer said. 鈥淚 thoroughly enjoy serving on committees and volunteering at our campus events. The collaboration and partnerships across campus and this recognition fuel my enthusiasm to strive for excellence, continue making a positive impact, and support our campus community.鈥�

Daniel Breen, news director for Little Rock Public Radio, has received the Community Service Award. This award recipient has been particularly successful in organizing community events or had major achievements in civic, service, or specialty organizations/events.

鈥淚 am beyond grateful to receive this year鈥檚 Staff Senate Community Service Award,鈥� Breen said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so lucky to get to work every day with such a dedicated staff whose first goal is looking out for the public, and each other. I鈥檓 honored to be considered among so many other dedicated, talented people who work every day to make 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and their community, a better place. I look forward to continuing our work to be a better neighbor and to reach people where they鈥檙e at to better inform them of the decisions and policies that most affect their day-to-day life.鈥�

Additionally, Tamela Cane, resource family coordinator for MidSOUTH, has received the Personal Growth Award. The award winner is described as an individual whose scholarship, research, or creative talent has been particularly outstanding.

鈥淭his is such an honor!鈥� Cane said. 鈥淚 am humbled to be recognized amongst a campus full of so many professionals. This is definitely a manifestation of an answered prayer!”

The three winners will receive a $3,000 award distributed via payroll distributions. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Association Board of Director members Becky Flynn and Grady McCorkle served as judges.

“Congratulations to all of our winners this year,鈥� said Laterika Tooks, Staff Senate president-elect and director of annual giving. 鈥淭hank you for making a difference both on and off campus.”

More information about the Staff Achievement Award winners:

Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award

Schrepfer has been selected for the Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Award for her exceptional contributions to the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community through her outstanding work as a graphic designer.

鈥淢uriel’s creative work is exceptional in helping to tell the university’s stories,鈥� said Angie Faller, news director, who nominated Schrepfer. 鈥淵ou will see her work in everything from newspaper ads to event flyers to slides on the digital marquee to billboards. Everywhere you look at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, you are likely to find an inspiring graphic that was created by Muriel. Her dedication to supporting and enhancing our university community through her graphic design expertise is truly commendable.鈥�

In the past year, Schrepfer has taken on some transformative projects, including the implementation of Marq as a campus design solution and the redesign of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Brand Guide, an essential guide that contains important information about how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock should communicate with and present its story to the community.

She also serves on a number of committees and is actively involved in campus life. Schrepfer serves in the positions of staff liaison and co-chair of the Wesley Foundation Board. She is also a member of Safe Zone, SpectacuaLR, and the Eclipse celebration planning committees as well as collaborative committees with Admissions, Athletics, and the Graduate School.

鈥淢uriel has made significant contributions to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through her hard work and commitment to building collaboration with our campus partners,鈥� said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. 鈥淗er service has positively impacted both staff and students, making her a deserving recipient of this award.鈥�

Staff Achievement Award in Community Service

Breen, a 2018 mass communication graduate of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has received the Staff Achievement Award in Community Service for his hard work and dedication in keeping the public informed through his community reporting. He is a familiar voice on Little Rock Public Radio, serving as a reporter, anchor, former Morning Edition host, news director, and co-host and producer of The Arkansas NewsWrap.

Breen can often be found hard at work in the community, talking to the public about subjects that matter.

鈥淢y neighborhood was hit by the tornado (in 2023), and I remember driving down the street and seeing Daniel out talking to people and bringing their stories to the wider community,鈥� said Merrill Wells of Little Rock Public Radio, who nominated Breen. 鈥淒aniel Breen has been a fixture in the community at town halls, voting polls, bringing 鈥業ssues that Matter鈥� program to the community and even helped orchestrate an 鈥楢rkansas NewsWrap鈥� program collaborating with other radio news directors across Arkansas.鈥�

Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio, said that Breen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a profound dedication to the community through his outstanding work in journalism.

鈥淒aniel鈥檚 passion for storytelling and his relentless pursuit of truth have been evident in the quality and depth of his reporting,鈥� Seaborn said. 鈥淗e has tackled a wide range of issues, from local politics to social justice, with sensitivity and insight, shedding light on important issues and giving voice to those who often go unheard.鈥�

Additionally, Breen is actively involved in community outreach initiatives, participating in panel discussions, hosting public forums, and engaging with listeners to ensure that Little Rock Public Radio鈥檚 coverage reflects the diverse perspectives and concerns of the community.

鈥淗is impact on the community is massive as hundreds and thousands of Arkansans would wake up hearing his voice as the morning edition host and bringing the local news,鈥� Wells said. 鈥淭here are a devout group of fans who call themselves 鈥楤reenies鈥� that donate to support public radio and community engagement.鈥�

Breen鈥檚 impressive community reporting skills have earned him awards from the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Arkansas Press Women, National Federation of Press Women, and the Arkansas-Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters.

Staff Achievement Award in Personal Growth

Cane has worked at MidSOUTH since 2012, starting out as a resource family trainer before becoming a technical writer, where she developed and maintained written and online training material. As the resource family coordinator for MidSOUTH鈥檚 Resource Family Program, she provides meaningful learning and training experiences for newly hired resource family trainers and prospective foster and adoptive families.

鈥淭ami has consistently demonstrated good initiative in fulfilling the task of providing meaningful learning experiences for prospective resource family trainers, foster families, and adoptive families,鈥� said Leisa Myles, director of MidSOUTH鈥檚 Resource Family Program, who nominated Cane. 鈥淪he approaches her job in a manner that allows individuals to enhance their skill level and knowledge. Her dedication to child welfare, MidSOUTH鈥檚 mission statement, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are unparalleled.鈥�

According to Myles, Cane鈥檚 most outstanding achievement took place last year when she created a new training curriculum for MidSOUTH. Cane was selected as a member of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders鈥� Executive Order to Protect Children, Support Families, and Improve the Foster Care System in Arkansas sub-committees, where she worked on a plan to revise the Resource Family Training Program at MidSOUTH.

The Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services selected the National Training Development Curriculum for Traditional Resource Families to replace the current training curriculum for the Resource Family Training Program. Cane participated in a Training the Trainer session with the National Training and Development Curriculum to help prepare the transition to the new training curriculum, Connecting AR Families. Cane organized a facilitator鈥檚 guide specific to the state.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Cane has served on Staff Senate, the Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Registration and Planning Committee, MidSOUTH Annual Summer Conference Registration Committee, and the MidSOUTH Prevention Summit Registration Committee.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Honors Schrepfer, Breen, Cane with 2024 Staff Achievement Awards appeared first on News.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock employees, students, alumni, and community members can nominate an outstanding staff member through March 14 in three categories: personal achievement, service to the university, and community service.

The winners will receive a $3,000 award, distributed via payroll. The winners will be announced during a drop-in celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge. Staff members who are celebrating work anniversaries, have graduated in the past year, and retiring will also be recognized.

The three categories for nominations are:

• Personal Growth – Recognition will go to an individual whose scholarship, research, or creative talent has been particularly outstanding.
• Ben Fry Service to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock – Recognition will go to an individual who is distinctive in service through committees, special events, implementation of creative ideas or support and encouragement of others.

• Community Service – Recognition will go to an individual who has been particularly successful in organizing community events or had major achievements in civic, service, or specialty organizations/events.

In addition to the Staff Achievement Awards, applications are available for a $1,000  Staff Senate Scholarship and two Jerry Crittenden Employee Book Scholarships, worth $75 each, for staff members who are furthering their education at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

To fill out a nomination form for the Staff Achievement Awards and Staff Senate scholarships, visit the Staff Senate website.

For more information, please contact Laterika Tooks at lstooks@ualr.edu.

The post 2024 Staff Achievement Awards, Scholarship Applications Open Through March 14 appeared first on News.