2023 CSE Outstanding Service Award Winners

Congratulations to Phil Engen, Education and Outreach Director, in the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC). 

In his role, he has been responsible for overseeing a set of programs aimed at increasing the overall STEM workforce. These include Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) programs. Engen was key in acquiring resources, including a $500,000 NSF grant, to aid in running these programs. Many of these programs led to application of students to U of M graduate programs. He has also participated in many other activities that amplify the impact of the MRSEC on educational activities in the K-16 space across the U.S. Engen has done all of this with an exceptional level of professionalism.

Congratulations to Katie Sharpe, Undergraduate Student Services Professional, in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. 

Sharpe manages the department’s undergraduate program student services by providing student support and advising, outreach and recruitment, and academic process development and support. She was largely responsible for ensuring a worthwhile graduation event when the university made the pivot last year to a one-campus event with smaller departmental events.

In addition to programs, Sharpe provided proactive support to students with additional needs including mental health and/or disability-related accommodations. She does weekly check-ins with students that need the support. She has also worked with departmental faculty to gain a better holistic sense of student needs. This individualized approach to student support has been impressive.

Congratulations to Chellina Angok, Senior Laboratory Technician, in the Department of Chemistry. 

As a member of the teaching lab staff, Angok is working the most public-facing customer service part of the lab courses in her department. It’s important to see the value in consistency and thoughtfulness when it comes to providing a positive learning experience for thousands of students each semester. Her positive attitude and problem-solving skills are on display every day. It is clear that her self-motivated engagement in the department goes well beyond her standard job duties

Congratulations to Andrena Seawood, Mackenzie Bren, and Megan Jensen from the CSE Purchasing Team.

These three employees were instrumental in establishing a centralized, PEAK-aligned, purchasing model, where the unit's PO, Umarket and Pcard requests were processed by these employees in the new purchasing team within the Dean's Office.

An online ordering platform (EPurch), with a ticketing functionality, was expanded and streamlined to facilitate the purchasing process for the units.

The employees were successful in meeting all the purchasing expectations for the mentioned units, resulting in reduced administrative overhead in the unit. Additionally they have provided "purchasing best practices" training for new students, faculty and staff in coordination with the units.