Please join us on March 11, 2026, at 3 p.m. to celebrate this year's CARE, CAPE, and Star Award nominees and recipients! Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

The Chancellor’s Award of Recognizing Excellence in Civil Service (CARE) and the Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award (CAPE) have been awarded annually at UIS for the past 18 and 22 years. In 2024, the Chancellor also introduced four additional staff awards: The Orion award (for impact on students), Polaris award (for staff leadership), Nova award (for new employees), and Sirius award (for shining attitude and performance).

Each year, we receive nominations highlighting members of our campus community who consistently go above and beyond their duties and truly exemplify excellence.

CARE Award Nominees:

• Ravneet Chhokar
• Eric Chrans
• Chrissy DeWerff
• Angela Dyer
• Ashley Earnest
• Jé Greer
• Denise Rothenbach
• Matthew Scrivano
• Mary Umbarger

CAPE Award Nominees

• Travis Bland
• Sarah Brewer
• Brian Clevenger
• Michele Gribbins
• Craig McFarland
• Bryan Rives
• Lea Smith

Star Awards Nominees

Nova

• Courtney Adams
• Doug Bernius
• Fumika Brudnak
• Ryan Bye
• Marion Eden Imming
• Alicia Kessler
• Courtney Kincaid
• Mark Morten

Polaris

• Daniel Aguilar
• Jessica Baumberger
• Emily Boles
• Ryan Bye
• Ann Comerford
• Jessica Flynn
• Craig McFarland
• Rhyann Morris
• Sarah Sagmoen
• Kaylan Schardan
• Lea Smith
• Madison Vangunten

Orion

• Jennifer Berry
• Jessica Flynn
• Jordan Killen
• Kara McElwrath
• Charity Ringel
• Colleen Speten
• Robin Vansacik

Sirius

• Ashley Earnest
• Mike Hermann
• Kelsea Hott
• Carissa Isenberg
• Rhyann Morris
• Madison Routh
• Kimberly Rutherford
• Matthew Scrivano
• Teresa Seacrist

Please join us in the Student Union Ballroom on March 11 at 3 p.m. to celebrate our deserving nominees and find out who will be the recipients!

*If you are a Civil Service or Academic Professional employee who does not wish to attend the ceremony, but would still like to claim a meal card for Staff Appreciation Day, please complete the registration form, indicate you will not attend, and enter your university affiliation. You will then see the option to claim your card.