Jacquie Fuentes Receives a 2023-24 CNS Staff Excellence Award

Congratulations to Jacquie Fuentes, SDS Senior Administrative Associate, on winning a 2023-2024 College of Natural Sciences Staff Excellence Award! These awards recognize members of our community who go above and beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of their job with outstanding dedication, competence, resourcefulness, and customer service.  

As members of the SDS Department who nominated Jacquie for this award attested, Jacquie works tirelessly to support faculty and students with travel, purchases, onboarding, timekeeping, arranging visitors, ordering supplies for various department spaces, and so much more, and she is quick to take initiative and offer a smile. In the words of one of her nominators, “In every area, she goes beyond simply doing the job. She not only completes these tasks efficiently but also approaches them with grace, humor, and a positive attitude that uplifts our entire team.

Jacquie received her well-deserved award from Dean Vanden Bout at the annual CNS Staff Celebration earlier this month, pictured at the top of this article.

A few other notable quotes from Jacquie’s nomination:

•  “… Jacquie also plays a key role in enhancing the SDS department's sense of community. As the co-chair of our social event committee, she not just manages the logistics but has also been instrumental in shaping the vision of each event to ensure inclusivity and engagement across all department levels — from professional and tenured-and-tenure-track faculty to staff and postdocs and students. Her efforts directly contribute to a more cohesive, collaborative environment, fostering a sense of community in our department. Her initiative in planning and organizing the end-of-semester party has had a lasting positive impact on our department's culture and created a sense of community.”
• “Jacquie's personal interactions with us extend far beyond her professional duties. Her personal touch extends to the whiteboard outside her office, where she not only posts her schedule but also writes little  uplifting messages. These notes, though small, play a significant role in fostering a positive atmosphere  in our department, illustrating her thoughtful approach to boosting our morale and contributing to a supportive academic environment. Her genuine interest in our well-being, exemplified by her efforts to  keep the graduate student kitchen stocked and her willingness to engage in lighthearted conversations about the university's athletics, adds a layer of warmth and community to our department. Her openness to our needs and desires, coupled with her readiness to greet everyone with a smile, significantly  brightens our days and enhances our learning environment.”

Congratulations, Jacquie!