Outstanding Staff Awards

Seven Baylor staff members are recipients of Outstanding Staff Awards for their dedicated service throughout 2018. These awardees, nominated by other Baylor faculty and staff, have been a part of Baylor for at least three years, have accomplished exceptional achievement in their respective job assignments, supported the fulfillment of the University's mission and have contributed through service to Baylor, their community and churches.

Each awardee was introduced at the Spring Staff Forum on March 26 with a description of his or her exceptional service to Baylor and its students.

BaylorPLUS Award

LESLIE MOORE
Coordinator of Wellness
Student Life
Four years of service

Baylor University continues to strive for excellence and integration of academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. Because of Baylor’s outstanding staff members, we can foster community and excellence in the everyday lives for students, staff, faculty and visiting members.

BaylorPLUS Salutes acknowledge and commend a Baylor Staff member for their exceptional service. This nomination is submitted on the HR website by faculty, staff, students, alumni or parents. The award recipient is someone who truly adds the “PLUS” to the Baylor experience. This year’s winner is Leslie Moore, who serves as Baylor’s coordinator of wellness. Moore has given countless hours to Baylor students, multicultural affairs, campus living and learning and the University. During her time with Campus Living and Learning, Moore supported, educated and cared for over 400 first-year female students, and she was instrumental in helping many of them graduate on time. She is also the primary advisor for the Coalition of Black Ambassadors planning committee that brought the 41st Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government to Baylor for the first time. Moore has been instrumental in many students’ experiences and upholds a standard of remarkable service.

Outstanding Staff Award

SARA BAKER
Office Manager, Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Three years of service

Sara Baker’s depth of knowledge about her department has helped them run like a well-oiled machine. With her dedication, the department of mechanical engineering is able to succeed in all its endeavors. She has aided the department in managing donations for their adopted programs like the Heart Walk and the Cancer Walk. While maintaining donations and assisting with programs, Baker continues to be an active participant in the walks as well. Additionally, students constantly come to her for help and advice, which she gives joyfully. Some just come to seek a friendly face and a sympathetic ear, which she invariably provides. The students are foundational to her calling. Students seek her for fuel but every interaction with students motivates her to be the best at her job.

CAROLINE CLARK
Study Abroad Program Coordinator
Center for Global Engagement
Four years of service

Caroline Clark has shown consistent respect and serves effectively in her role as the Faculty-Led Coordinator for Study Abroad. In this role, she works with students, faculty or staff in any given part of the day and she regularly and humbly puts the needs of others and those of Baylor University first. Clark speaks positively and with sincerity of the impact Baylor has had on her life spiritually.

BRIANNA HENSLEY
Program Manager, Baylor’s Center for Professional Selling
Hankamer School of Business Marketing Department
Three years of service

Brianna Hensley works tirelessly to build strong positive relationships with those around her. Working from 6:30 or 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., Hensley continuously gives her all to her job. She is one of many unique people who brings the true Baylor experience to life for students, faculty, fellow staff members and corporate representatives. Her heart is clearly centered on honoring the Lord by the work that she does. No matter what executives ask of her, Hensley finds a way to address their questions and serve their needs. Her focus on excellence comes from a true heart of service.

MEAGHANN WHEELIS
Senior Research & Planning Associate, Institutional Research and Testing Office
Academic Affairs
Five years of service

Baylor continues to strive to achieve R1 status, which depends on the institution understanding the means and metrics of attaining the goal. Thanks to Meaghann Wheelis, Baylor has been able to answer that question. The Academic Analytics company asked her to provide a Webinar for their analytics products. Administrators from all over the country – and many R1 institutions – received a lesson in how to do this from someone at Baylor. She has shown diligence, hard work and excellence in her research efforts to lead Baylor becoming an R1 University.

The Distinguished Staff Leadership Award

The Distinguished Staff Leadership Award recognizes managers who contribute to the University’s mission by showing quality leadership skills, fostering development and inspiring excellence throughout their team.

MARK BRYANT
Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Center for Global Engagement
Four years of service

Mark Bryant has shown what it is to be a distinguished manager. He continues to support and encourage each team member to be true Baylor leaders and mentors. At staff meetings, Bryant encourages members to tackle challenging cases and to explore solutions, creating an environment where each member feels included and respected. It also inspires them to look at challenges and issues from a different perspective. Bryant has also helped international students adapt to life at Baylor. His calm, unruffled personality, inspires those around him to illuminate our campus.

IDA JAMSHIDI
Director of Advising for Innovate
Engineering and Computer Sciences Department
Seven years of service

Ida Jamshidi presents the perfect balance of professionalism, empathy and compassion. She cares so much about her team and advising with excellence that she is not afraid of conflict. She knows that if she wants her team members to grow, and provide the best service to our students, then the hard conversations are the ones that matter. Jamshidi's philosophy for working with students is collaborative and goal-oriented. She has taught others to lead by example with service at the forefront of our minds.