A group of UNC staff posing in front of a UNC backdrop inside

Article

March 10, 2025

Written by Sydney Kern

Employees Celebrated at Annual Staff Recognition Event

During the event, employees were recognized for their service year milestones, some totaling 30+ years

UNC staff were honored during the 53rd annual Staff Recognition Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 6. 

President Andy Feinstein joined Classified Staff Council Chair Ethan Mondy and Professional Administrative Staff Chair Audry Stutler in welcoming the staff. During his remarks, Feinstein thanked all the talented and dedicated staff members for their commitment in supporting UNC’s mission. 

“Each of you is part of making UNC a place where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcome,” Feinstein said. “And you help create an environment of possibility where our students are supported in achieving their dreams, and every member of our university is encouraged to thrive.”

Feinstein pointed out several successes linked to the hard work of UNC’s employees, including achieving designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, seeing an increase in enrollment and achieving R2 status.

Related: UNC Achieves Carnegie’s Prestigious R2 Research Activity Designation

“It is truly an honor to work alongside such talented, caring and passionate individuals,” Fesinstein said. “Let’s remember the strength of our collective efforts and the bright future we are building together.”


The Professional Administrative Staff Council (PASC)’s Employee of the Year and the Classified Staff Council (CSC)’s Employee of the Year are recognized below.

Roni Secord

IT Support Specialist, Information Management and Technology

Savana Estrada

Advising and Retention Specialist, NHS Advising Center

The event also celebrated the following milestone Years of Service for staff awardees.

Pi’i Aiu
Wayne Angel
Hanna Blount
Troy Burbidge
David Camacho
Oliver De La Cruz
Kelly Decker
Abby Depperschmidt
Heath Eigenberg
Louise Espinosa
Hailey Gertner
Dorian Green
Schawn Hardesty
Junna  Holderfield
Payne  Kesler
Christopher Lance
Kara LaSota
Ashley Leggewie
Sean Markus
Rick McNair
Andrew Meyer
M’lyn Miller
Mary Nguyen
Blaine Nickeson
Ann Norton
Ana Ortega De Villa
Victor Perez
Julia Riley
Tina Rockwell
Christina Rufatti
Stormie Sickler
Harold Simmons
Katelyn Spooner
Tish Thompson
Jacob Zanetell

Juana Batrez
Scott Bellendir
Karen Benton
Eryka Charley
Rosanne Fulton
Troy Nickerson
Nickolas Perez
Erica Preston
Roni Secord
Colleen Sonnentag
Cheryl Sparks

Adam Alirez
Pam Balzer
Jason Bradford
Morgan Gray
Donald Jones
Scott Kellogg
Steven Klatt
Berry Kroeger
Deborah Lewis
Shane Mares
Penny Mascarenas
James Medina
Heath Moore
Lori Riley
Brenda Rodriguez
Jenny Shoop
Alec Stumbaugh
Susan Swanson

Wade Bumgarner
John Clark
Jeanette Miller
Cynthia Mitchell
Robert Myers
Jason Raehal

Tim Barrera
Geri Landwehr
Jennifer Lieber
Bill McCartney
Betty Rutt
Michael Stadler

Jim Doerner

Jimmy Mock

The following classified and professional staff were honored for their contributions to students and the university:

Joseph Galvan
Davion Henderson
Josh Kolb
Lupe Lujan
Mary Rangel
Tina Rockwell
Brenda Rodriguez
Roni Secord

Rhonda Anderson
Annie Ashcraft
Jennifer Ayers
Chad Bebee
Shane Borah
Danica Brown
Kayla Cain
Teresa Castro
Ken Clavir
Savana Estrada
Leanne Frisinger
Sara Gisi
Kazi Jestribek
Paige Johnsen
Savanna Johnson
Stephanie Jones
Meghan Kattner
Pamela Keener
Alyssa Miles
M’lyn Miller
Devin Million
Woody Myers
Scott Newkirk
Brenna Rhiness
Janice Riegel
Becca Romine
Katie Runkel
Melissa Salazar Hoffner
Matthew Sanchez
Mary Seik
Riley Sparks
Katelyn Spooner
Bernadette Wiemers