Staff Appreciation Awards
Four Leavey School of Business staff were honored during the Staff Appreciation Luncheon on May 1 with annual awards lauding their service to business school students, their colleagues, and the organization.
Student Experience Award
The Student Experience Award is presented to the person whose efforts have enhanced the learning experience for our students at any level, undergraduate, graduate, or executive, and went toTrish Kalbas-Schmidt of the Graduate Career Management office.
In her nominations, Trish was described as a hard worker who emulates the “Santa Clara Way.” She is a great example to students as they prepare to join the working world and pursue their dreams.Trish excels at 1:1 career advising with students – giving both advice, and a helping hand, to students transitioning from school to the working world. She is collaborative, friendly, and earnest in addition to being highly effective at helping our students start their careers.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is presented to the individual who has initiated and developed successful innovations in the way we pursue the educational mission of the University and of the Leavey School of Business, and the prize was given to two staff members this year, Erika French-Arnold (Food & Agribusiness) and Marianne Farag (Economics).
Erika French-Arnold has organized and created a variety of programs designed to engage students, faculty, the business community and our alumni. The innovative ways in which she has marketed and planned these events has offered new opportunities for these groups to learn about food industry issues and exchange knowledge and ideas. She has raised the profile of the FAI and has leveraged resources so that the FAI can more effectively pursue its mission.
Marianne Farag has worked hard to develop innovative ways to help the majors in the economics department. She designed a survey for graduating seniors that is now being used annually to improve service and create a more rewarding learning experience for the students. She has also developed new ways to engage the department’s alumni in an effort to improve career opportunities for our students, and build connections with the broader business community.
Collaboration Award
The Collaboration Award is presented to the staff member who exemplifies the spirit of working together in cooperative pursuit of the mission of the University and of the Leavey School of Business, and was presented to Rachaella Giannotta (Dean's Office).
Rachaella Giannotta's teamwork skills, smile, and “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude are quickly becoming legendary in the Leavey School of Business. She cheerfully works with Business School faculty, staff, students and alumni with equal effectiveness and efficiency. The enormous range of her duties requires her to collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders in an environment where priorities change daily and where conflicts are almost guaranteed. If you want to make sure it happens, on time, under budget, with kindness and good cheer – call Rachaella.