KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney recognized four staff members Friday for their superior service to students and the campus community.
UNK Staff Senate President Kyle Means presented the Staff Awards for Excellence to Erika Pritchard, Dean Trampe and John Gibbs 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 Renae Zimmer.
Both awards recognize employees whose leadership, dedication and professionalism strengthen the campus community, advance student success and enrich the experience for fellow Lopers.
Each honoree received $1,000 and a plaque.
Erika Pritchard
A digital content creator in UNK Communications and Marketing, Pritchard is one of the most recognizable faces on campus, although she’s usually the person behind the camera.
As UNK’s campus photographer, she is seemingly everywhere. Days, nights and weekends, she captures the moments that define the Loper experience, from Blue Gold Welcome and homecoming to athletics, student activities, music performances and commencement.
Her work appears across UNK’s website and social media, in news stories and publications and on marketing materials and billboards across the region.
Pritchard does far more than take great photos. She has a remarkable ability to connect with people and make them comfortable in front of the camera.
Students and faculty recognize her across campus, and she knows most of them by name. Her work creates a visual record of what it truly feels like to be part of the UNK community.
Colleagues describe Pritchard as creative, dependable, collaborative and genuinely proud to be a Loper. She brings enthusiasm to every assignment and a clear passion for the students and people she photographs.
“Erika genuinely enjoys working at UNK and being a Loper, especially when she gets to interact with and promote our students,” her nomination stated. “She attends all of these events and activities not because she has to, but because she wants to. And I know the students recognize and appreciate this.”
Dean Trampe
A master electrician in UNK Facilities Management and Planning, Trampe performs work that most people rarely see, but every part of campus depends on.
Since February, he’s served as the sole electrician on UNK’s utilities and maintenance team, taking on a workload normally shared by a utility electrician and two maintenance technicians.
Through that staffing challenge, he has continued to respond to service calls, maintain critical electrical systems at the Central Utility Plant and complete campus lighting projects – all while keeping essential services operating reliably.
His work touches nearly every part of the university, from classrooms and offices to residence halls and research spaces. Trampe’s responsiveness helps minimize disruptions and ensures students, faculty and staff have safe, functional spaces to learn and work.
Just as important is the way he approaches the job. Colleagues describe him as dependable, professional and remarkably positive, even while balancing urgent priorities and extended hours. He responds to challenges with a smile and remains focused on what needs to be done.
Trampe also serves on the Facilities Safety Committee, sharing his technical expertise to identify potential hazards and promote safety across campus.
“Dean consistently goes above and beyond his standard duties and assigned tasks. Managing the electrical infrastructure of a university campus is a massive responsibility, yet Dean handles it seamlessly. He takes immense pride in ensuring that all electrical projects are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards,” his nomination stated. “Because of his vigilance and prompt action, the lights across the UNK campus stay on, creating a safe and well-lit environment for our students, faculty and staff.”
John Gibbs
The director of Academic Advising and Career Development in the Loper Success Hub, Gibbs has helped expand his department’s role in student success, retention and collaboration.
One of his most significant contributions is UNK’s Retention Campaign. He helped develop a process that uses data to identify students who have not enrolled for the upcoming semester, then reaches out to understand barriers and connect them with the resources to continue their education.
The effort not only helps individual students stay on track but also provides valuable information to strengthen future retention strategies.
Gibbs also created the Transfer Transparency Team, bringing together Academic Advising and Career Development, Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, UNK Online and others to improve the transfer student experience and reduce barriers between offices.
His impact is especially visible during New Student Enrollment, where he has worked to strengthen adviser training and create a more personalized, consistent advising experience for incoming students. He also helped develop and implement LOPR 101, UNK’s first-year seminar.
Colleagues describe Gibbs as collaborative, approachable and deeply committed to his team. He encourages people to take ownership of their work, celebrates their successes and has created a workplace built on trust, shared responsibility and a healthy sense of humor.
“What distinguishes John is not simply his ability to manage existing programs, but his commitment to identifying opportunities for improvement and building collaborative solutions that benefit students and the institution,” his nomination stated. “His innovative approach to student success, thoughtful use of technology and data and ability to unite colleagues around common goals have strengthened retention efforts, enhanced the student experience and established processes that will continue to benefit the university for years to come.”
Renae Zimmer
Zimmer serves as director of UNK Student Engagement and Leadership, where she has dedicated her career to helping students find connection, purpose and a sense of belonging.
Guided by the belief that meaningful involvement leads to student success, she creates opportunities for students to lead, serve and thrive.
As adviser to Student Government and a mentor to student leaders, she helps students build confidence and make meaningful contributions to the UNK community.
Her leadership has strengthened campus traditions and expanded engagement through The Big Event, homecoming and Blue Gold Showcase. She has also enhanced first-generation programming, provided leadership for Fraternity and Sorority Life and developed programs that connect students with meaningful experiences outside the classroom.
Zimmer provides leadership development and training for more than 150 recognized student organizations. She has also expanded LoperLinks, UNK’s student engagement platform, including a new points system that recognizes participation, encourages involvement and helps guide future programming.
Her work is grounded in a belief in the power of partnerships. Whether working with Student Government, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Loper Athletics, Residence Life, faculty, staff or student organizations, she brings people together around a common purpose. She’s known for her open-door approach, genuine care for students and commitment to their success.
“Whether organizing campus traditions, mentoring student leaders, supporting colleagues or introducing innovative engagement strategies, Renae continually elevates the work of those around her,” her nomination stated. “She willingly works alongside students, often dedicating evenings and weekends to ensure campus events and initiatives are successful. Her leadership empowers others while creating sustainable improvements that will benefit UNK for years to come.”