KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney recognized four staff members Wednesday for their superior service to students and the campus community.
UNK Staff Senate President Tyler Pierce-Panowicz presented the Staff Awards for Excellence to Holly Peterson, Jeramie Ellis and Ryo Suzuki during the annual Faculty/Staff Convocation. Staff Awards for Excellence are sponsored by UNK and the Jim and Lynn Rundstrom Family Foundation Fund.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Engagement Maha Younes presented the R.I.S.E. Award for Institutional Engagement to Kate DeBord. This award recognizes a UNK staff member whose leadership and commitment foster a more vibrant, connected and student-centered university community.
Each award winner received $1,000 and a plaque.
Holly Peterson
Peterson is a student support and projects specialist in UNK Student Affairs and coordinator of the National Student Exchange program. Additionally, she serves on the CARE Team, chairs the Student Affairs Social Committee and coordinates the Applauding Excellence awards celebrating the exceptional work of student leaders, organizations and advisers on campus.
She also supports her colleagues within Student Affairs. Peterson created a packet for new hires to ensure all the necessary paperwork – from building access to parking passes – is completed.
“She is the glue that holds Student Affairs and many parts of Enrollment Management together,” her nominator stated.
In the community, she serves as chair of the bylaws review committee and assists with Sunday School and Children’s Church at First Baptist Church. She also volunteers at Kearney Family YMCA.
Jeramie Ellis
Ellis is a research instrumentation technician in the UNK Department of Chemistry and a member of the Campus Safety Committee, where she assists with evacuation drills and safety walkthroughs.
Additionally, she created action plans for extreme temperatures, helped accommodate service animals and wheelchairs in lab settings and drafted safety contracts for visiting schools to emphasize the importance of student safety.
Ellis is also responsible for the upkeep of lab equipment, which helps faculty secure grant funding from external sources such as the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy and NASA.
As a member of multiple national professional organizations, she reviewed materials for a new textbook from the American Chemical Society and had her own article about helium usage published in the ACS Chemical Health & Safety journal.
Ryo Suzuki
Suzuki is senior director for strategic marketing and external relations for the UNK College of Business and Technology and Nebraska Safety Center.
Described as a “true servant leader,” his welcoming demeanor has a positive impact on his colleagues and the students he teaches. “Students know that his passion for teaching and genuine want for their success make them feel seen, heard and valued,” his nomination read.
Known for his problem-solving abilities, Suzuki is the first to brag about the achievements of his team members, ensuring they receive the proper credit for a project’s or event’s success.
Suzuki is also active off campus, serving as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and U.S.-Japan Council. He’s volunteered with numerous community organizations, including the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, World Theatre and Kearney Family YMCA.
Kate DeBord
As the campus compliance manager, DeBord helps UNK employees navigate medical leave, workplace accommodations, Title IX training, compliance concerns and other areas, doing so with empathy and dedication.
“In a role that often intersects with people during their most vulnerable moments, she brings both expertise and humanity,” her nomination stated. “She is known for approaching every interaction with care, professionalism and an unwavering sense of respect.”
DeBord impacts every corner of campus, serving on various committees and engaging colleagues to build a more accessible and welcoming work environment. She recently earned certification in Universal Design for Learning, expanding her role in student support. She also co-created opportunities for students to learn about disabilities in the workplace, served on multiple search committees and contributed to the development of a new parental leave policy.
“Her impact is deep and lasting. And through it all, she quietly models what it means to engage with purpose and create sustainable impact.”