Shout-outs

Check out these staff shout-outs for great work from their colleagues around Engineering! 

If you'd like to give a shout-out to an Engineering staff member for a job well-done, fill out this form.

"Tina Hittinger is the most supportive boss! She always has our backs and creates an environment where we feel both trusted and encouraged. She puts confidence in each of us, allowing the space to grow and expand in our roles in ways that not only align with our strengths, but also move the entire department forward. Thank you, Tina, for leading with trust and heart!"

"A huge thank you to Amy Harris for being such an incredible teammate! Amy is a wealth of knowledge and always has her eye out for professional development opportunities—not just for herself, but for everyone around her. She's consistently helpful, reliable, and an absolute joy to work with. As co-chair of the UGX Committee, Amy brings fresh, creative ideas for student events and turns those ideas into action with efficiency and enthusiasm!" - May 6, 2025

"Paul Miller's positive spirit is infectious and much appreciated. He is quick to recognize and point out other's good qualities." - May 6, 2025

“Thank you to Zach Taylor for manning the CS front desk and being there for our students, faculty, and staff. Your dedication and willingness to help with any questions and issues throughout the day make a world of difference. We appreciate your hard work and commitment to keeping everything running smoothly. Keep up the fantastic work, Zach!” - May 6, 2025

“A huge thank you to Kelsey Yancey for her invaluable work with graduate funding. Your dedication ensures that PhD students are well taken care of, and your assistance with faculty grants is truly commendable. Your collaboration with me as a graduate coordinator has been exceptional, and your efforts make a significant difference every day. Thank you, Kelsey, for all that you do!” - May 6, 2025

“A huge thank you to Lisa Ayers for her incredible support with our CS events! From ordering delicious food to making hotel and travel reservations and contributing brilliant ideas to make our CS events even better, Lisa has been a true rockstar. Your dedication and creativity have made a significant impact, and we couldn't have done it without you.” - May 6, 2025

“A huge thank you to Sarah Stapleton for being an incredible team player! Your dedication to processing reimbursements and purchasing orders promptly is truly appreciated. Your efficiency and reliability keep everything running smoothly, and we couldn't do it without you. Keep up the fantastic work!” - May 5, 2025

"A huge round of applause for Sheri Grimes, who has gone above and beyond in establishing a robust undergraduate advising schedule! 🎉 Your dedication to identifying students in need, offering them support, and meeting with them in person has made a tremendous impact. Your commitment to student success is truly inspiring and greatly appreciated by everyone. Thank you for making a difference! 🙌" May 5, 2025

"Amy Harris, your exceptional team play and unwavering support for all your colleagues have truly made a difference. Your deep institutional knowledge and expertise in training resources are invaluable assets to the team. Thank you for always being there to guide and assist everyone. Your dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated! - May 5, 2025

"Hannah Boatwright, your dedicated efforts to our CS undergraduate program have significantly enhanced the experience for all our students. The monthly newsletter you create is an invaluable resource, filled with timely updates, insightful articles, and helpful tips that keep everyone informed and engaged. Your unwavering support has fostered a nurturing environment, empowering students to excel both academically and personally. Way to go!"  - May 5, 2025

"Marion Hight is an outstanding CS graduate coordinator! Each month she hosts a CS Graduate Social Hour which has created a great sense of community among the CS graduate students. Marion knows all of her students and will drop whatever she is doing to assist them in any way she can. She is the best advocate for her students and is always taking on more to help her students and coworkers!" - May 5, 2025

"Jai Maupin is a steadfast presence in a sea of waves. Her consistency and reliability provide much-needed stability and support to the team. Thank you, Jai, for being a constant source of strength and dependability!" - May 5, 2025

"Tina Hittinger is an exceptional manager who supports her team while providing the flexibility they need to thrive. Her leadership fosters a positive and productive environment, allowing everyone to perform at their best. Thank you, Tina, for your unwavering support and for empowering your team! May 5, 2025

"Peggy Reed has been incredibly helpful to our team and SEAS. She is always willing to lend an ear and help work through any situation, offering great suggestions along the way. Thank you, Peggy, for all your support and assistance!" - May 2, 2025

"Sheri Grimes is an amazing CS advisor! She always has her door open and is helping students in any way she can! Since she started in her position, Sheri has been dedicated to improving CS advising and its associated processes! She is a great asset to the CS Department and a pleasure to work with!" - May 5, 2025

"Emily Stacy masterfully juggles multiple tasks without ever getting flustered. She ensures that we stay on track and within budget, all while bringing fantastic ideas to the table and sharing them with grace. Emily is a valued teammate who consistently steps up to any challenge with enthusiasm and dedication. Thank you, Emily, for your incredible contributions and unwavering support! 🎉" - May 5, 2025

"Hannah Boatwright has significantly enhanced the undergraduate experience for CS students. She created a monthly newsletter that consolidates important academic dates, advising information, and events, making it easier for students to stay informed. The students have expressed their appreciation and eagerly anticipate each edition.Hannah is a key member of the UGX Experience committee, excelling in planning and executing CS events. Her dedication and teamwork are invaluable, and she consistently steps up to lead and support in various ways.Thank you, Hannah, for your outstanding contributions and commitment to the community! 🎉." - May 5, 2025

"Marion Hight has demonstrated remarkable leadership by organizing a monthly social event for our graduate students. This event has quickly become a highly anticipated gathering for students and faculty, fostering a strong sense of community and engagement. Marion's commitment to enhancing the graduate experience is truly commendable." May 5, 2025

"Brandon Bow always goes above and beyond. Since joining the team, he has become an invaluable asset and is a genuine pleasure to work with. Thanks, Brandon!" - May 5, 2025

"There's no one like Sara Sochor. She not only fills two vital (and unique) roles at UVA's Center for Applied Biomechanics (as Anatomical Donations Coordinator and Biological Material Specialist), but also goes above and beyond those roles to mentor, encourage, and support the staff, faculty, and students at CAB. Sara never ceases to expand her knowledge, abilities, and accreditation, and she eagerly and generously hands on the fruits of her self-improvement. Whether it's an early start (6AM) to a "Prep Day" or a late end (1AM) to a "Test Day", Sara keeps her colleagues focused on quality and efficiency, and somehow she never forgets to bring snacks to share!" May 2, 2025

"Trish Ashley is diligent and efficient in responding to any requests that I have made. She goes above and beyond. I greatly appreciate her patience and calmness when facing tight deadlines. I have been impressed by her aptitude in assisting me with large-scale proposals. This is important because I primarily focus on developing large-scale proposals. I enjoy working with her! She is invaluable to us and our pre-award office, and simultaneously, she manifests the great culture and excellence of support by our pre-award office!" - May 2, 2025  

"Alicia Cowan has done outstanding work in supporting the Clark Scholars Program. Through her leadership, Alicia has played a central role in building a strong sense of community among the scholars and enhancing a foundation for student success that extends far beyond the classroom. Alicia’s impact on the Clark Scholars is both profound and personal. She fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. In addition to her student-centered work, Alicia is a deeply valued colleague within the engineering school and across the university. She collaborates with purpose, leads with authenticity, and brings warmth and professionalism to every partnership. Her cross-Grounds relationships strengthen the visibility and reach of the Clark Scholars Program while embodying the best of what it means to work at UVA. Thanks to Alicia’s dedication, the Clark Scholars Program continues to grow in excellence and impact." - May 2, 2025 

"A shout out to Dr. Meara Habashi for her dedication to students and thoughtful leadership during challenging times, and her remarkable ability to inspire a shared vision across the School of Engineering and the broader UVA community. Meara is a colleague whose presence uplifts and strengthens every team she joins. Whether it’s undergraduate or graduate students, faculty, or staff, her care is genuine, her insight is sharp, and her ability to meet people where they are fosters a culture of growth. Meara also serves as a powerful bridge between the School of Engineering and colleagues across UVA. She represents the school with professionalism, grace, and integrity, helping to elevate our shared mission across Grounds. UVA Engineering is more connected, more resilient, and more student-focused because of Meara’s influence." - May 2, 2025

"I would like to shout out Amanda Fortune for her quiet yet powerful leadership, steady preparation, and unwavering flexibility, all of which make her an essential team member within the School of Engineering. Amanda leads by example, often working behind the scenes with intentionality, care, and precision. She ensures that teams are not only organized and on track, but also equipped to navigate unexpected challenges with confidence. Amanda’s adaptability and creativity allow her to offer meaningful contributions that push teams beyond the status quo. She helps keep things afloat while elevating mission-driven work through innovative thinking, proactive problem-solving, and a strong sense of purpose." - May 2, 2025

"I would like to recognize Katie Alexander for her extraordinary empathy, dedication to students, and unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the School of Engineering and UVA. Katie exemplifies what it means to be student-centered. Her care is a practice that shows up in how she supports students through challenges, celebrates their successes, and advocates for their well-being every step of the way. She brings deep thoughtfulness to her work that is both rare and deeply impactful. Katie’s commitment to collaboration makes her an invaluable colleague. She works across offices and units with a spirit of unity and purpose, always focused on what’s best for the students and the broader UVA community. She embodies the values of honor, service, and excellence that define UVA. The School of Engineering and UVA as a whole are truly better because Katie is here. Her presence strengthens our community, and her positive impact on students and staff alike is both visible and lasting." - May 2, 2025

"Trish Ashley has been an invaluable part of our team for over 30 years. She is consistently responsive, highly knowledgeable, and incredibly prompt in all her work. Her long-standing dedication and reliability have made a lasting impact for our faculty on the sponsored research." - May 2, 2025

"Peggy Reed continually provides great leadership through her support of others and great camaraderie.  She is a fantastic member of the SEAS Team!" - May 2, 2025

"Sheridan Kearns is a superstar! She is always at the forefront of upcoming MEC events and knows the answer to any question or problem someone on the team or in the Department may have. She is an incredibly hard worker and great to work with!" - May 2, 2025

"Paul Miller helped to organize an amazing Civil Engineering awards reception." May 2, 2025

"Kevin Green helped to organize an amazing Civil Engineering awards reception." May 2, 2025

"Nathaniel Hughes is always ready to jump in and help -- no matter what the task or how much effort is involved.  He's a great asset to the SEAS community." - May 2, 2025

"Amy Harris spent months of time and did a tremendous amount of work, planning and coordinating on behalf of the students for Hoo Hacks. She was even here the day of the event!" - May 2, 2025

"Brandon Reilly is always willing to help! He is a delight to work with and his positive attitude is contagious! Thanks for being great, Brandon!" - May 2, 2025

"Lizzie Batman is always on her game and ready to assist.  She brings order, smiles, and encouragement where ever she goes!  Thanks Lizzie for being you!" - May 2, 2025