Brenda Husser, office manager and chief academic advisor in the Department of Sociology, received the first annual Staff Employee of the Year Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

In nominating Husser for the award, department chair John Ryan noted that, when he asked her to add undergraduate advising responsibilities to her administrative ones, he recognized in her unique qualities that would help create what he believes has since become one of the university’s top advising programs.

“Brenda treats the student as a whole person, not just someone who needs certain numbers of credits in certain categories,” he said. “Her approach embraces the full humanity of each student, including the backstories as to why they may be succeeding or failing. Her commitment to the students, her diligence, and her deep understanding of the curriculum structure within the university are all key ingredients in her success in student advising.”

Ryan added that Husser receives a standing ovation from sociology majors at the departmental graduation each year.

Husser accepted the honor in an awards reception on June 12. LaTawnya Burleson, president of the college’s Staff Association, hosted the event, while Rosemary Blieszner, interim dean of the college, offered remarks.

Other finalists were Stacey Farley, Office of the Dean; Dee Hopkins, School of Performing Arts; and Geneva Watson, Department of Human Development.

Also honored were nominees Clara Enriquez in the Department of History; Paulette Gardner, Wanda McAlexander, and Nancy Nolen, all in the School of Education; Rhonda Pennington in Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures; Carol Sue Slusser in the Department of Science and Technology in Society; and Bridget Szerszynski in the Department of English.

 

Brenda Husser
The honorees attending the Staff Employee of the Year Award reception at the Hahn Garden Pavilion were, from left, Wanda McAlexander, Carol Sue Slusser, Nancy Nolen, Brenda Husser, Clara Enriquez, Paulette Gardner, Rhonda Pennington, and Dee Hopkins. Not able to attend were Stacey Farley, Bridget Szerszynski, and Geneva Watson.