Five University of Hartford staff members have been honored as recipients of Outstanding Staff Member Awards. They are Robin Breen (Student Success), Nate Burrage (Admission), Danielle Kendall (Hartt), Amber Murphy (Student Financial Aid), and Jessica Poulin (Office of Marketing and Communication).
The Outstanding Staff Member Award recognizes staff members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the University and play a critical role in the success of this institution and its students. The outstanding staff member honorees have a record of outstanding job performance and often go beyond their job descriptions to help students, parents, faculty, colleagues, and the public.
Meeting the honorees:
Robin Breen, scheduler and events manager for the Division of Student Success, embodies an award intended to honor outstanding service. In her position, she is often inundated with last-minute event and meeting requests, frequent changes of plans, and minor issues to resolve concerning schedules and venues. Breen handles it all with poise, skill, and the highest consideration. Colleagues rave about how great it is to work with a coordinator and managerial supervisor who knows how to get the job done regardless of timing or challenges.
Nate Burrage, senior assistant director of admission, brings remarkable skill and dedication to the admission team—often asking colleagues questions just to be ready to lend a helping hand when needed. He has taken an integral role in growing the Red Key Society, and it is common to see students in the hallway just to say hello to him. Burrage is also the self-proclaimed social chair for Bates House and OMC, fostering camaraderie among colleagues that contributes significantly to the culture of teamwork, mutual support, and shared success.
Danielle Kendall, manager of the Handel Performing Arts Center, expertly plans and administers all Center events while instilling the entire facility with an effective learning environment. Promptness, attention to detail, and accessibility are just a few of the proficiencies she brings to help everyone at HPAC have a rewarding experience. Students and colleagues alike praise Kendall for the way she interacts with them—and for her resiliency, perseverance, and personable nature.
Amber Murphy, assistant director of student financial aid, arrived at UHart in 2019, and has been exceptional in handling a host of student financial aid responsibilities. Murphy combines expertise in her position with the ability to help students and their families avoid feeling overwhelmed when dealing with college financial matters. She shows great attention to detail, displays natural composure, and conducts all work in a highly supportive manner. Everyone with whom she deals, day in and day out, benefits from their interactions with Murphy.
Jessica Poulin, senior recruitment marketing manager in the Office of Marketing and Communication, always makes everyone feel a little better about themselves and even their jobs. Poulin brings that kind of positivity to the workplace and to UHart on a consistent basis. By her own preference, her contributions extend beyond recruitment marketing—and are often on a volunteer basis—to touch many different areas of the University—even assisting on move-in days. Her collaboration with students, families, and colleagues produces many positive results.