Chemical engineering communication and program support specialist, Tina K. Russell, has won the 2019 Exemplary Employee Award in the administrative category sponsored by the College Association of Staff in Engineering (CASE) for her sustained dedication and excellence of service. She received an award plaque and an award prize from the Dean of Engineering, Julie Ross, during an award luncheon on May 14.

Tina joined the chemical engineering staff in July 2008.  She has served as a receptionist, administrative assistant, and fiscal technician for the department. Recently she took on the role of departmental communicator, handling alumni relations and working with internal and external news outlets to publicize department achievements. She has been intimately involved in revamping the department website, and has been responsible for establishing and maintaining departmental social media communications. Tina also continues to serve many additional roles in the department, including support for graduate students and postdoctoral associates. She has received highly positive and enthusiastic letters of support from chemical engineering students, staff and faculty, according to her departmental nomination.

Joseph Sarver, a doctoral student, says: “Since joining the department as a graduate student in August 2017, I have been given the same response when asking fellow students about travel arrangements, purchasing, package arrivals, work verification forms, payroll, and more – to simply go and “Talk to Tina.” Tina immediately greets you with an infectious smile, ask you to grab a chair, and starts to help you navigate through your problem. “

Preston Durrill, adjunct professor and undergraduate academic advisor, writes: “In the years that I have known Tina and worked with her closely as a colleague, I have never known her to have a bad day, and I have never heard her say she is “too busy” to help others solve their problems. Her positive attitude, her incredible interpersonal skills, and her high level of enthusiasm for everything that she does, all serve to brighten the atmosphere in the department.”

Travis Murphy, president of the chemical engineering graduate student association, says: “If there is one employee that truly embodies the Virginia Tech ideals of Ut Prosim, it would be Tina Russell, who, despite what her job title and description says, goes out of her way to serve all of the students and staff in the department in the best possible way.”

Congratulations to Tina, for a richly deserved, College of Engineering exemplary employee recognition award!