Katherine Shinn, office supervisor in the UNK Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, received the University of Nebraska Board of Regents KUDOS award on Thursday.
KUDOS awards recognize university staff for their professional expertise, service and “superior dedication” to UNK and the University of Nebraska. It is the university’s top staff award.
Shinn has been a member of the UNK staff since 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts in music education from UNK in 2008 and currently is working toward a master’s in business administration. Shinn taught fifth grade band for Grand Island Public Schools from 2008-11.
Shinn’s responsibilities include supervising office staff and student workers, developing training and procedural handbooks, overseeing instruments and the music library, coordinating advertising and promoting music events.
She also manages the event calendar, mailings and mailing lists; oversees travel arrangements for faculty, staff, students and guest artists; maintains course evaluation processes; and assists with building supervision. She is the “go-to-first” person for music-related questions, said Department Chair Noah Rogoff.
“Katherine never stops going above and beyond for the benefit of students, staff and faculty,” said Rogoff. “Her attention to both the details and the big picture serves to make things run smoothly and everyone feel taken care of.”
In addition to her work responsibilities, Shinn is a flutist and current leader of the UNK Flute Choir and a member of the Platte River Singers.
Shinn was recognized and given the KUDOS award at the Board of Regents meeting, which was attended by UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, NU interim President Susan Fritz and Shinn’s husband Nolan, son Landon, daughter Evelyn and mother Lori Sizer.
