USM Board of Regents Announces Winners of Annual Staff Awards
Recipients to be recognized with special celebration in Spring 2026
Baltimore, Md. (September 12, 2025)—The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents is honoring nine members of its staff at institutions across the system as recipients of the 2025 USM Regents’ Staff Awards. The Board will recognize the awardees with a celebration in Spring 2026.
The awards are the highest honor presented by the board to exemplary staff members. The awards honor excellence in the following categories: Exceptional Contribution; Outstanding Service to Students; Extraordinary Public Service; Effectiveness and Efficiency; and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. The awards also recognize Excellence in Performance, Making a Difference to the Campus, Acting as a Role Model, and Excellence as a Team Player.
Institutional staff nominating committees make recommendations to the institutional presidents, who review nominations and supporting material and forward recommendations to USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman. The Regents Staff Review Committee makes the final recommendations. Each award carries a $2,000 prize provided by the institutions and the University System of Maryland Foundation.
“There’s no asset we have at the USM more valuable than our people. Nothing else comes even close,” said USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman. “And every year, when we recognize our Staff Award winners, we get to celebrate that value—colleagues who transform how we work and how we serve, how we operate more efficiently, how we make a difference in the lives of our students and our neighbors. The fact that Marylanders place so much trust in us to drive positive change is a credit to staff across the System doing exactly that, every single day. It’s a privilege to honor their dedication.”
EXEMPT EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES
Exceptional Contribution
Dr. Anisha Campbell, Associate Director, Terrapin Teachers, University of Maryland, College Park
11 years of service to the institution; 11 years in current position
Dr. Anisha Campbell has spent the last decade developing the next generation of K-12 STEM teachers for Maryland as Associate Director of Terrapin Teachers, leading innovative initiatives that have elevated the program's visibility, status, and success. She has taken the lead on fostering relationships between school districts, departments, and colleges and has leveraged relationships across and beyond campus to secure major grants, facilitated two innovative positions, and helped develop a new program to support new teachers. She hires tutors, ensures students know about scholarships and financial aid, and has spearheaded the use of radio ads and community college partnerships to reach historically underrepresented students. Dr. Campbell’s impact can be found in her successfully recruiting more than 1,200 students to take an introductory teaching course and graduating more than 100 certified secondary STEM teachers.
Outstanding Service to Students
Laura Schraven, Director of Student Affairs, Communications & Marketing, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
25 years of service to the institution; 3 years in current position
Through her exceptional leadership and innovative ideas, Laura Schraven has made a powerful difference to foster a deeply involved and engaged student body and elevate how the university promotes events and campus life. Schraven created and leads Commonvision, the UMBC student design and print center that not only elevates the vibrancy of campus life with professional-quality digital and print materials but provides an applied learning experience where students gain real-world experience within the supportive framework of a campus environment. Students working with her enter a rich, close-knit community where they are encouraged to develop their artistic potential, hone professional skills in a safe working environment, and engage with a thriving network of students and alumni. Schraven’s genuine care for students and respect for their perspectives also shines in her role on the Student Affairs Leadership Team, where she has encouraged a more proactive approach in information-sharing to reach students with critical support for mental health and community building.
Extraordinary Public Service
Carla Hopkins, Director, Alumni Engagement and Stewardship, Bowie State University
6 years of service to the institution; 6 years in current position
Guided by a deep sense of purpose, Carla Hopkins’ record of educational board service has been uninterrupted for 25 years. Hopkins’ workplace initiatives and community involvement often overlapped, creating ripples of positive change for Bowie University and beyond. On campus, she embodies the spirit of collaboration and mentorship for fellow employees and students alike and is recognized for her enthusiasm to advance the alumni relations profession. She serves on numerous boards across the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metropolitan areas, with her most impactful work as a Baltimore City College (BCC) Alumni Board member and as the Chair of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW) Board of Directors. In this role, she collaborated with BSU's admissions team to facilitate the university becoming a more viable option for BLSYW and BCC students and assisted and hosted these students on BSU's campus. As a result, over twenty-five students have applied, attended, and/or graduated from Bowie State University to date.
Effectiveness and Efficiency
Mary Beth Nibley, Director, Development Research and Prospect Management, University of Maryland, Baltimore
28 years of service to the institution; 18 years in current position
As an encouraging and responsive leader, Mary Beth Nibley’s strategic thinking and commitment to a positive work culture has impacted University of Maryland, Baltimore for the better, giving her staff opportunities to adapt and thrive during challenging times and increasing their commitment to the work and each other. Her innovative approach to the hybrid model improved the team's productivity and set a standard for excellence within the institution. Aware of lingering pandemic-related issues for her staff, Nibley developed a flexible and accommodating work environment that has had positive fiscal impact. With a supportive, hybrid approach to work, her staff saw a 70% increase in productivity. For example, her staff were able to research and update donor and potential constituent addresses, an important and underappreciated aspect of philanthropic operations, saving resources and preventing the outsourcing of services. Nibly’s contributions lea to cost-savings while helping to build important constituencies who provide essential philanthropic support for UMB.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
Lauren Meredith, Professional Development Partner, Towson University
5 years of service to the institution; 5 years in current position
Lauren Meredith is a strong advocate for promoting a diverse workforce to Towson University, providing equitable opportunities for all individuals and growing a community of business professionals from all over the area. She has excelled in her role as an advisor for students in the College of Business and Economics by establishing a strong support system and implementing process improvements that have become a model for other advisors. She has grown the MentHER mentorship and the Mentoring to Advance Professional Development (MAPD) programs with enthusiasm, and the MAPD program has gained particular interest among first gen students as they recognize support is needed to enter the business world. This academic year, the program includes 30 students, 42% of whom identify as a first-generation college student. According to student feedback, 80% of participants became more confident in their ability to build relationships within their network as a result of this program.
NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEE CATEGORY
Excellence in Performance
Andrew Rosenblum, Technology Support Specialist, Towson University
13 years of service to the institution; 5 years in current position
Andrew Rosenblum’s technical expertise and initiative have had a profound impact on Towson University’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA) to operate efficiently. Faculty and staff know they can count on him to find solutions tailored to their specific needs, whether it involves new equipment, troubleshooting, or strategic advice, and this makes CLA run in a more effective and efficient manner and has resulted in significant increased productivity for all eleven departments in the College. Rosenblum’s contributions extend beyond his technical expertise. As the Vice Chair of the TU Staff Senate, he has leveraged his knowledge of university governance to clarify procedures and bridge communication gaps for administrative staff. His mentorship of faculty and staff has been equally impactful, providing guidance and setting a standard of excellence for faculty and staff to aspire. This includes assisting with website design, event marketing and planning and ordering technology. Rosenblum's knowledge of university policies and procedures ensure that new staff receive correct and current guidelines.
Making a Difference to the Campus
Conrad Wilson, University of Maryland, College Park
28 years of service to the institution; 9 years in current position
When you meet Conrad Wilson, it is obvious that he truly loves his work and is on a mission to keep the campus occupants of the University of Maryland, College Park safe and secure. He accomplishes that through excellent workmanship and communication with the customer, which always includes follow up. Wilson spends most of his time managing the thousands of security cameras on campus and providing service and maintenance to assist UMPD in keeping the campus as safe as possible. He has provided training to every building security technician to help him with this endeavor. This may be where his legacy will be felt the most. When a case is solved or a crime is prevented with the assistance of the camera system, it's in part because of the work he does in the background. Wilson loves providing this service to UMPD and is thankful that this helps them in their mission to keep the campus safe.
Acting as a Role Model
Michelle Lambert, Executive Administrative Assistant I, Salisbury University
17 years of service to the institution; 14 years in current position
Upholding the highest standards of professionalism, Michelle Lambert spearheaded the development and shaping of the Student Business Leaders program at Salisbury University, a group of 10-12 students who serve as ambassadors for the Perdue School. They are bright, talented, and motivated students who vie, through a series of interviews, for the coveted title of Student Business Leader. Lambert champions this effort from beginning to end and is the key to the success of the program. She oversees the recruitment and selection of each student, chairs the weekly meetings, cultivates professional development opportunities, and works with each student to make sure they develop to their fullest potential, both personally and professionally. She is their confidant, their mentor, their biggest cheerleader, and, importantly, their role model. Many of these students go on to successful careers in big four accounting firms and with major corporations.
Excellence as a Team Player
Aricelda Munoz, College Park Food Services Specialist - Sous Chef, University of Maryland, College Park
32 years of service to the institution; 3 years in current position
With 32 years of commitment to Dining Services at the University of Maryland, College Park, Aricelda Munoz is the Sous Chef and backbone at Mulligan's Grill & Pub where her bright attitude is infectious, lifting the spirit of her co-workers. Her duties include leading a modest team of kitchen staff in the planning and preparation of both restaurant and catering meals. She sets a high standard, and the staff hold her in the highest regard. She takes the time necessary to teach new skills to the crew, assists at all positions, and can frequently be found mopping the floor or doing the dishes to help her crew. At the end of a long day, she displays the same energy as in the morning. She also coaches the student waitstaff, many of whom have never worked as servers before, and can frequently be seen outside the kitchen helping other members of the staff. She volunteers regularly to come in early or stay late for catering events or other busy days and has volunteered to assist in many other operations in Dining Services. She has even worked in a food truck at Rigg's Alumni Center during football games. Everyone is always delighted when she shows up to help.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Natasha (Tasha) Sweitzer, Evening Circulation Supervisor, Towson University
5 years of service to the institution; 5 years in current position
During her five-year tenure as Evening Circulation Supervisor in Albert S. Cook Library, Natasha (Tasha) Sweitzer has consistently demonstrated her dedication to supporting the library, its people, and the wider Towson University community. Sweitzer goes above and beyond her regular responsibilities to build, nurture, and advance inclusion, multiculturalism, and social justice practices that strengthen the library and Towson University community. In addition to the energy she brings to her work each day, this commitment is evident in her work with Cook Library’s award-winning Anti-Racism Action Plan, her stewardship of Cook Library’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, her dedication to uplifting the voices of her peers via her role as Library Assembly facilitator, and her elected staff representative position on Cook Library’s Leadership Council. She co-led the development of Cook Library’s Indigenous Research Guide, a thoughtfully curated resource supporting research and education on local Indigenous topics. She also worked collaboratively with Cook Library leadership to facilitate the library’s first organizational equity audit conducted by an external consultant in 2023. Sweitzer provided key assistance that ensured all library workers participated in a thorough and meaningful assessment of the library's equity practices.
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND
The USM comprises 12 institutions: Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; the University of Baltimore; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and the University of Maryland Global Campus. The USM also includes three regional centers—the Universities at Shady Grove, the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, and the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland—at which USM universities offer upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses. USM institutions and programs are among the nation’s best in quality and value according to several national rankings. To learn more about the University System of Maryland, visit www.usmd.edu. To learn about the new USM Strategic Plan, “Vision 2030: From Excellence to Preeminence,” visit https://www.usmd.edu/vision2030/.
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Contact: Amy Pelsinksy
Phone: 301.445.8503
Email: apelsinsky@usmd.edu
