Extraordinary Employees Build Bridges for UVA

Dr. Ben Allen epitomizes the role of a bridge builder at the University, continuously fostering connections and partnerships across Grounds and the Charlottesville community. His leadership, deeply rooted in collaboration and equity, ensures that historically marginalized voices are uplifted and supported. Ben's dedication is evident in his tireless efforts to connect individuals, often saying, "Oh, I’m happy to connect you with so and so," and following through to ensure meaningful, transformative relationships. His work with the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships and other interdisciplinary initiatives underscores his commitment to innovation, equity, and the equitable distribution of resources.

Ben's extensive coordination efforts span numerous groups, including the President's Office, UVA Health, and various schools, to advance important initiatives like Affordable Housing, Community Safety, Pipelines & Pathways to employment, and Early Childhood Education. He spearheads implementation groups, ensuring all stakeholders have an equitable seat at the table. Ben's influence extends beyond UVA, fostering deep, trusting relationships with community leaders and nonprofits to bridge gaps between the University and Charlottesville. His relentless pursuit of collaboration and his role in significant projects like gun violence prevention reflect his unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. Ben was responsible for creating the Starr Hill Pathways youth program which has brought multiple UVA departments and numerous community organizations together to support college and career readiness for local youth. In all of his projects and initiatives, Ben Allen's exemplary service and transformative impact make him a deserving nominee for the Hoos Building Bridges Award.

Every day, I am deeply inspired by Ben's leadership and the way that he places partnership and collaboration first and foremost in his work. -- Jessica Harris, nominator

Daman Irby, as Director of the Center for Politics Global Initiatives, has significantly advanced international engagement at the University of Virginia. He has successfully collaborated with institutions like Georgetown University, Relief International, World Learning, and the US Department of State to secure sub-grants, bringing around 1,850 youth from 56 countries to UVA for civic participation and democracy education. Daman also launched the Center for Politics Ambassador series, facilitating interactions with 38 ambassadors worldwide. Additionally, he extends UVA's reach through his roles with the Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission and as chairperson of UVA's Global Week for 2024.

Daman’s initiatives have involved extensive collaboration across UVA, engaging the Women's Center, Batten School, Darden School, Office of Global Affairs, and numerous other units. His Ambassador Series has partnered with diverse departments and programs, enhancing the University's global footprint. Beyond UVA, Daman's community involvement includes leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America and his local church, exemplifying his commitment to building bridges both within and outside the academic sphere. His exceptional efforts make him a deserving nominee for recognition.

Daman has worked not only with the University of Virginia to build bridges, he has also worked in his local community, serving as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America. In the last twelve years, he has led a Cub Scout Pack which includes children from 5 to 11 years old and is the committee chairperson and treasurer of his local Boy Scout Troop. In summer of 2023 he served as a volunteer at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. -- Mary Daniel Brown, nominator

Carolyn exemplifies bridge building through her creation and leadership of the Cornerstone Program, now entering its 10th year. This program has profoundly impacted individuals and teams across UVA by fostering connections, mentoring, and cross-departmental projects. Notably, 54% of past participants have been promoted or significantly increased their responsibilities since completing the program. By including employees from various divisions and roles, Carolyn ensures that each cohort benefits from diverse perspectives, leading to new insights and opportunities.

Carolyn's approach to mentorship is a cornerstone of the program’s success. She carefully pairs participants with mentors from different departments, fostering neutral, supportive relationships that often continue beyond the program. This mentorship, along with diverse project teams, allows participants to stretch beyond their comfort zones and contribute innovative solutions to the organization. Carolyn's dedication to expanding her mentor pool and soliciting project nominations ensures a rich, ongoing exchange of ideas. Her efforts have created a legacy of connection and collaboration at UVA, making her a deserving candidate for the Hoos Building Bridges Award.

Carolyn is known as a connector – of people to one another and of people to ideas – it is her super power. She is regularly asked to conduct workshops on how to find a mentor and what to do once you have one, where she encourages her audience to look beyond their current school or unit to build a bridge to someone else. She has created a legacy here at UVA with the Cornerstone Program. -- Shernita Rochelle, nominator

In response to the shortage of Research Administrators at UVA and across Virginia, Alexa Jeffress developed a new non-credit program through the School for Continuing and Professional Studies for aspiring Research Administrators in Higher Education. This initiative supports UVA's 2030 Plan by addressing crucial research needs. The program's launch has generated nationwide interest, resulting in a waiting list. By utilizing UVA educational benefits, the program aims to develop a pipeline of skilled professionals, thereby enhancing research support across the University and beyond.

Alexa's bridge-building efforts involved extensive collaboration with stakeholders across UVA, including key figures from various departments including the Provost's Office, Office of the Vice President for Research, UVA Health, Office of Sponsored Programs, Biocomplexity Institute, various schools, Office of Research Regulatory Affairs, and more. She rallied support for marketing the program, attracting participants from UVA and other states. Alexa plans to leverage UVA faculty for teaching, ensuring the program's broad appeal and success. Her dedication to collaboration and relationship-building extends beyond this program, showcasing her exceptional ability to connect and support diverse groups within the University, and making her a deserving candidate for recognition.

In all she does, Alexa seeks to identify and involve stakeholders -- whether in our School or across Grounds. The desire to build relationships comes naturally to Alexa and has and will contribute to her success at UVA. As her supervisor, I have the privilege of witnessing her exceptional collaboration skills firsthand. -- Lesa Hanlin, nominator

Dr. Nicole Ruzek has transformed mental health services at UVA through her tireless efforts to foster collaboration across departments. Starting as Associate Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and now serving as Chief Mental Health Officer, she has been instrumental in creating multi-disciplinary teams, such as the eating disorder and substance use disorder treatment teams, which bridge gaps between previously siloed entities. Her innovative approach included embedding mental health counselors within each school and ensuring seamless integration and better access to care. Under her leadership, CAPS expanded from 8,137 visits in 2016 to over 20,000 in 2023, and she spearheaded telehealth initiatives that reached over 7,000 students in a year.

Dr. Ruzek's dedication extends beyond CAPS, forming vital partnerships with UVA Health, the Department of Psychology, and community mental health providers. She played a crucial role in initiatives like Hoos Connected, which fosters student belonging, and created dedicated housing for students in recovery. Her leadership during crises and disasters has been exemplary, ensuring comprehensive mental health support for the UVA community. Recognized for her outstanding interpersonal skills, Dr. Ruzek continues to maintain a robust clinical practice, supporting some of the most challenging student cases while leading one of the nation’s top-rated university mental health programs.

Dr. Ruzek is an outstanding clinician, administrator, and educator. She is also an emerging researcher. Her dedication to serving the student population is phenomenal and her ability to build bridges between units that often do not interact has led to her leading one of the top mental health programs serving students in the country. -- Christopher Holstege, nominator

Jennifer Phillips has excelled in fostering collaboration and innovation across UVA through her role as project manager for the inspiring Diverse Researchers in Virginia (iDRIV) program. This initiative provides professional development for underrepresented researchers and includes a new leadership program. Jenny has also implemented numerous other research training programs, such as mentor training, proposal development, writing accountability groups, and clinical research coordinator training, which have built a vibrant community of practice for researchers across Grounds. Her efforts have filled longstanding needs and inspired researchers to gain new skills and perspectives, promoting diversity and inclusion.

Jenny's dedication to building bridges is evident through her 30-year career at UVA, where she has been highly collaborative, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the research workforce. Leading iTHRIV's clinical and translational research workforce education programs, she continuously adapts programs to stay current and effective. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to individuals have made her a trusted colleague. By partnering with various schools and departments, including the UVA Cancer Center, SOM, and SON, Jennifer has successfully developed new training programs and fostered a culture of excellence, making her an invaluable asset to the university.

Jenny's commitment to excellence is unparalleled. She brings her best efforts to work every single day - and continually seeks ways to bring people together regardless of their background, their school, or their institution. She is a role model for me. -- Sandra Burks, nominator

This collaborative team comprised of Mary Sherman, LaBarron Burwell and Pamela Hamilton of the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program, and Facilities Management (FM) team members Shelomith Gonzalez, Occupational Health and Safety Manager; Emily Douglas, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist; and Chris Hoy, Senior Supervisory Construction Administration Manager, has made significant strides in addressing mental health within UVA's Facilities Management department. Their initiative, Mental Health in the Workplace, has already reached approximately 500 employees and aims to cover all units by 2024. By partnering with Region Ten Community Services Board to offer Mental Health First Aid training and hosting quarterly roundtables, they provide essential resources and support. Their efforts extend beyond UVA, as they have presented at state and regional conferences, sharing their successful strategies and fostering a culture of mental health awareness.

This team's work exemplifies internal and external collaboration, bridging various departments and community organizations to address a critical need. Their tailored approach within Facilities Management and the inclusion of diverse perspectives enhance the program's impact. Chris Hoy's personal story has been particularly influential, reducing stigma and encouraging openness about mental health issues. Their dedication has created a supportive environment, improving overall well-being and making UVA a leader in mental health awareness.

Knowing that we are positively impacting people's well-being, reducing stigma around mental health, and increasing awareness and access to resources has been incredibly fulfilling for all of us. -- Mary Sherman, FEAP

In 2022, Adam Griggs and Patrick Wood, Co-Chairs of UVA's Staff Senate, launched the "Hoos Making An Impact" competition to gather and implement innovative ideas from Academic Division staff to improve UVA processes and cultivate staff success. This annual competition, which initially focused on sustainability, saw significant participation with over 40 submissions in its first year. Adam and Patrick, volunteering their time, collaborated with various offices to create and manage the entire process, including the Offices of the President, COO, Provost, Sustainability, and Division for DEI. This resulted in the selection of two winning proposals in the inaugural year: a Commute Club Incentive Program that promotes alternative forms of commuting, and greater implementation of DocuSign to make processes more efficient and reduce paper waste. The second year just completed with two winning proposals: one to improve retention of Professional Research Staff, and one to create a mentorship program for Academic staff. These teams' dedication turned simple ideas into transformative initiatives that bridges gaps within the university community.

Adam and Patrick's efforts exemplify bridge-building by fostering collaboration across UVA departments and connecting staff with university leadership. Through their work, they have deepened relationships between the Staff Senate and key offices, allowing for greater staff involvement in decision-making. Their successful execution of Hoos Making An Impact has not only addressed longstanding needs but also provided a platform for staff to present their ideas to top university officials, further strengthening the community. Their leadership during a challenging transitional period has ensured that staff voices are heard, enhancing the overall effectiveness and unity of the UVA community.