March 13, 2025
By Louis DiPietro
Exceptional staff make an exceptional college. Four staff members who go above and beyond in their roles in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science received staff awards from the college during an all-staff meeting on March 12.
Established last year by Cornell Bowers CIS, the annual awards recognize and celebrate the contributions of the college’s outstanding staff members. Each recipient receives a plaque and $2,500.
Last year’s inaugural staff award recipients comprised this year’s selection committee: Robert Nicholl, registrar support specialist; Sue Shipman, associate director of human resources; Becky Stewart, associate director of graduate studies, and Megan Adams, chair’s assistant in the Department of Statistics and Data Science.
The 2025 Bowers CIS Staff Award winners
Rising Star Award – Rebecca Dillon, program manager for research initiatives
The Rising Star Award recognizes a newer staff member who has been a part of Cornell Bowers CIS community for one to three years.
Dillon does more than what’s detailed in her job description. She’s a self-starter who takes initiative and, in turn, has redefined her role within the college’s Research Office.
According to her nomination letter, Dillon has been instrumental in supporting a large volume of research proposals, helping coordinate teams, ensuring program-specific requirements were met, and even helping craft proposals, all while on tight deadlines and managing other responsibilities.
“Rebecca deserves to be recognized with this award because she has consistently expanded her roles and responsibilities, often without a role model to follow, breaking new ground in organizing new initiatives,” her nomination letter read. “She is a key asset for the college and will undoubtedly play a strategic role in our future success."
Staff Innovation Award – Penny Stewart, administrative assistant, information science
The Staff Innovation Award recognizes a staff member who embodies the spirit of innovation, a core component of the Cornell Bowers CIS mission. The award is given to a staff member who applies creativity to develop new or improve existing processes, methods, systems, or services, and encourages others to do the same.
Processing reimbursements for faculty and student travel can be a hassle. Stewart saw an opportunity to streamline this process and created a pre-travel checklist that saves time and gets reimbursements processed faster, according to her nomination letter.
“She doesn't just get the job done, she reflects on how to do it better. I support her for any award, but I especially value her innovation.”
Exceptional Performance Award – Donna Holzbaur, finance specialist in the Sponsored Research Administration Center (SRAC)
The Exceptional Performance Award acknowledges and provides recognition for a staff member who consistently demonstrates superior professional achievement and the pursuit of excellence within and beyond their position.
For the last six years in her role within SRAC, Holzbaur has been an ideal team member, approaching her job with excellence and positivity while taking on more responsibilities amid the college’s significant growth.
“Her personable and helpful nature sets her apart. She is always responsive to her faculty, infusing a personal touch into every email and willingly offering to meet to foster stronger relationships,” the author of her nomination letter wrote. “She is a remarkable role model for the SRAC team and a joy to collaborate with, making her an invaluable asset to our organization.”
Award for Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging – Ingrid Jensen, director of student services
The Award for Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging recognizes an individual within Cornell Bowers CIS who has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of inclusion and belonging, a key priority for the college.
Jensen has leveraged her role as director of student services – interacting with students at all levels across the college – to help create a more inclusive community where all students have the chance to succeed and thrive.
“Ingrid is truly a leader that models the qualities and values that are foundational and representative of who we aspire to be as a college, where everyone in our community is respected, valued, and feels that they belong here,” stated her nomination letter. “I've seen firsthand how she goes above and beyond to ensure students from underrepresented backgrounds with exceptional challenges navigating their academic pursuits are supported and connected to the resources they need to succeed.”
Louis DiPietro is a writer for the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.