The Distinguished Administrative Professional Award recognizes administrative professionals with continuing meritorious and outstanding achievement at Colorado State University. Each year, five award recipients are selected, and each receives a commemorative plaque and an award of $1,000.
The Administrative Professional Council is pleased to announce the winners for 2020.
Brittany Pearce
Associate Director of Transfer Admissions, Office of Admissions
Brittany oversees transfer student recruitment and initiatives within the Office of Admissions and effectively collaborates with CSU and community college partners to ensure successful enrollment and retention of transfer students. She is an outstanding leader and exemplifies the characteristics of a distinguished administrative. In her time at CSU, she has increased operational efficiency, demonstrates leadership and resiliency in her efforts to create access for students and staff members. Brittany has been at the forefront of several newly implemented recruitment efforts that utilize technology to better target and manage staff territories. These have allowed students to receive an individualized success plan, support a smooth transition experience, and created a detailed strategic recruitment strategy. Her creativity, problem-solving skills, and willingness to go above and beyond has helped many students and colleagues.
CJ Mucklow
Western Region Director, CSU Extension
CJ is highly respected within Extension for his ability and willingness to teach others about agriculture and his collaborations with a multitude of partners on and off campus, and around the nation, shows his dedication to the program and the land-grant mission. His career with CSU spans over 30 years. He was a member of the Colorado Agriculture Leadership Program that develops the vision, commitment to lead change and ensure the sustainability of agricultural and rural economies. CJ has demonstrated the ability to maintain a continual flow of resources for sustainable Extension programs while using innovative teaching methods. He aided in the development of Colorado 4-H STEM kits for educators, and pooled resources with New Mexico State University to provide professional development training related to climate-related disasters. CJ’s compassion and commitment to students, peers, and colleagues have helped them succeed in their careers.
Debbie Bartlett
Assistant Director for Advising and Mentoring, Department of Computer Science
Debbie is an adviser to undergraduates, organizes curriculum changes, manages grant and scholarship processes and leads in the efforts to improve gender diversity within the College of Natural Sciences department. She has been at the center for success for the department’s BRAID – Building, Recruiting, And Inclusion for Diversity initiative – that allows changes in the curriculum, major requirements, admissions practices, and builds confidence among underrepresented students. Debbie aided in securing a substantial funding award for the diversity efforts by providing an extensive amount of statistical data; CSU is one of five schools nationally to receive this award. She models the Principles of Community in her exceptional work and is seen as a mentor to both students and colleagues. Debbie brings a unique leadership style, as she leads by providing information, engaging conversation, and providing support to each team member’s ideas. She is effective at bringing out each person’s talents while ensuring the team is grounded in shared and accurate data. Debbie is an extraordinary mentor who is treasured by all her students and colleagues.
Shannon Wagner
Manager of Student Success Initiatives, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Shannon oversees advising, retention, summer orientation, residential learning community, and the Key community for the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. She an appreciated colleague for her dedicated mentorship, operational efficiency and demonstration of the Principles of Community. Shannon provides structure to the office and ensures they maintain focus on team building and strategizing. She has built strong relationships across campus and many have praised her collaborative leadership style and positive approach to implementing change in the service of student success. Shannon keeps the well-being of students at the center of her work, helping them navigate the barriers they face when enrolling in engineering. While she has a very difficult job that entails different components, she never loses sight of the overreaching mission of student success while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Steve Burn
Director, Central Receiving, Mail Services and Surplus Property
Steve provides an outstanding leadership style and demonstrates his commitment to supporting diversity and inclusiveness within his department and operational efficiencies. He leads a dedicated, hard-working staff who go above and beyond in their efforts to bring innovative solutions and support to the campus. Steve is constantly making adjustments to find the most effective and economical way to provide services to the whole university community. He helped many other departments save money by introducing on-campus shredding services. Additionally, he implemented event rental services that allow campus departments to rent tables, chairs and tents and completes the set-up and takedown. Steve has created innovative programs outside of his department – he was the lead in creating The Spoke bicycle repair shop, where students and staff can get their bikes tuned quickly and learn how to do it themselves. Steve demonstrates compassion for the well-being of everyone who is a part of the CSU campus community and visitors.
