Meet the Outstanding Staff Award Recipients of 2024
Each year, the College of Engineering recognizes and honors staff members who demonstrate consistent above-and-beyond job performance and commitment to the college's mission and vision.
Four staff members were selected for exceptional service, innovative approaches, community engagement, and commitment to the college's community core values and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Outstanding staff awards will be presented at the College of Engineering Awards Celebration on June 3.
Mary McCormack, Dean's Office
McCormack serves as associate director of development. She cultivates relationships with alumni and donors to raise millions in philanthropic funding to support College of Engineering students and research.
"[McCormack] performs these activities with the utmost professionalism, attention to detail, and enthusiasm and is a pleasure to work with," said the nomination, which also described McCormack's commitment to champion women in engineering.
When faced with challenges, McCormack exudes positivity and a can-do attitude. She looks for win-win-win scenarios that keep donors engaged while following strict IRS and campus protocols. During her four years in the college, McCormack has raised more than $4.2 million, including the largest gift from an individual to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Christal Wintersmith, Biomedical Engineering
As the graduate student services advisor for the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, Wintersmith organizes and facilitates several critical aspects of the program, including annual initiatives such as new student recruitment, orientation, open house, research symposium and retreats.
"The students joke that [Wintersmith] is 'all-knowing,' but honestly, no one knows better than [she does]," said the nominator. "[Wintersmith] is a tremendous resource for our program, but more importantly, [she is] a person that our students can rely on and who will go above and beyond for them in times of need."
Wintersmith is a founding member of the biomedical engineering department's Health, Equity and Wellness Committee and exemplifies empathy, integrity and reliability with steadfast student support. Among her proactive approaches to increasing efficiency and effectiveness is the creation of an electronic reporting process that provides a pathway for graduate students to give feedback and report concerns.
Beyond BME, Wintersmith has contributed to university-level advising as a member of the Advising for Equity Administrative Advisory Committee, the GradSphere Stakeholder Advisory Group and the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee.
Emma Wong, Civil and Environmental Engineering
In her work as an academic advising assistant in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wong continuously seeks new ways to better serve students and is described as "a true team player," "always willing to help," and "wonderfully thoughtful," by her nominators.
With a commitment to improving the student experience and their access to information, Wong collects feedback and has leveraged insights to launch new webpages, a newsletter and unique events, such as a new social to increase connection among fifth-year undergraduate students.
Wong's exceptional service to the department is matched by her support of the larger college and campus community. She led a donation drive for The Pantry, facilitates First-Year Aggie Connections, and serves as the Undergraduate Advising Staff Networking Group co-chair.
Inna Revzin, Biomedical Engineering
Described as a "trusted mentor, colleague, friend and pillar of the College of Engineering community," Revzin is being recognized for her work as an academic personnel analyst in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Revzin provided exceptional service in all areas, from assisting colleagues with technical questions to stepping in when another was out on vacation to several months in a leadership role while filling in for a colleague on extended leave. She is committed to ensuring colleagues have the tools to work efficiently and effectively while honoring a healthy work-life balance.
Known for her patient and respectful nature, Revzin actively participated in academic personnel meetings, AUSS-C meetings and key question-and-answer sessions as a representative of the department and college. Revzin is a vocal presence on the academic personnel Slack channel, offering guidance and one-on-one training sessions for new hires and sharing resources freely for the benefit of an inclusive and collaborative working environment.