Laura Hecht has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for June 2023. She is a customer service representative for UIS Residence Life.
In her role, Hecht works at the Residence Life front desk making sure all aspects of the office function properly. She is often the first point of contact for prospective and current students, often helping to shepherd them through the housing application and room selection process.
Shannon Smith has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for May 2023. She is the ticket manager for UIS Performing Arts Services. Her nominator describes her as a “beacon of customer service” and someone that every UIS employee should model.
Michele Sapp has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for April 2023. She is a business manager for the Center for State Policy and Leadership (CSPL) Office of the Executive Director.
Her nominator said she shows leadership in her helpful approach and makes herself available to colleagues, supervisors and internal and external partners. She is also a problem solver.
Trish Schlobohm has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for March 2023. She is the business incubation program coordinator at Innovate Springfield.
Schlobohm’s nominator said she “cannot begin to express how dedicated Trish is, how impressive her performance is, and what an absolute asset she is to the Innovate Springfield and University of Illinois community.”
Jill Ralph has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for February 2023. She is an administrative assistant for UIS Facilities & Services.
Her nominator says she always has a “welcoming personality” and a willingness to help others.
“I cannot tell you how many times I have called or emailed her with a question and she has responded with a positive attitude and if it’s not something she can help answer, she has helped me find the person who can,” her nominator said.
Building Service Worker Yokasty Owens has been named the 2022 Employee of the Year at the University of Illinois Springfield. She was honored during a reception on Jan. 19, 2023, in the UIS Student Union.
Before announcing the winner, UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch thanked the eleven Employees of the Month who were nominated for the award.
Owens, who was the May 2022 Employee of the Month, is known for going above and beyond her responsibilities to help people in need.
Ashley Hall has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for December 2022. She is the director of the UIS Student Union.
Hall’s nominator praises her for covering the workload of multiple vacant positions within the Student Union staff for more than a year and learning new skills to make sure work was completed.
David Hecht has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for November 2022. He is the production manager for UIS Performing Arts Services.
Robert Weis has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for October 2022. He is the coordinator and advisor for Engaged Learning and Partner Initiatives in the UIS Office of Engaged Learning (OEL).
Weis’ nominator calls him “an amazing collaborator” who is able to work across campus and in the Springfield community to support the professional development of UIS students through internships and other employment opportunities.
Bea Bonner has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for September 2022. She is the Community Voices Editor/Co-Host at NPR Illinois.
She began working at UIS in 2016. According to her nominator, Bonner represents the university well as she interviews campus and community members on Community Voices.