2017 Staff Excellence Award winners

Bryan is an employee relations consultant for the Office of Human Resources. He has been with Appalachian since 1995. Bryan was praised for serving many employees university-wide, on a daily basis, always with the goal of reaching the best possible outcome for everyone concerned.

One nominator praised Bryan’s willingness to go above and beyond to help when serious illness struck: “I suspect there are many, many employees who have reaped the benefits of Daniel's attention, compassion and dedication to assisting the Appalachian employee.”

Burniston is the office associate in the Department of English, and has been with Appalachian for four years. He serves as the public face of the department.

“His genuine warmth and lightheartedness are matched by his competence and professionalism, and he sets a positive tone each day,” one nominator said. “As countless students pass through the building each day, Jim is always there earlier than expected, making sure all of the classrooms are unlocked and heated/cooled and with a smile on his face.”

Haley Childers is the communications director for the Walker College of Business. She joined the university in 2006. Haley creates and distributes communications and publications for the college, including electronic and print publications, serves as marketing liaison to University Communications and provides oversight of event management for the Walker College.

“She has created an organized process for gathering information from within the college and disseminating the information to external constituents,” one nominator said.

McKee has worked as an instructional technology consultant in the Learning Technology Services area since coming to Appalachian 15 years ago. In her current position within the Center for Academic Excellence, she consults with faculty members who wish to integrate technology into their teaching. As a co-chair of the Academic and Research Services Technology Portfolio Committee, she has also taken a lead role in piloting the online evaluation of courses.

Nominators praised McKee for her diligence in bringing new ideas and technologies to campus. “Under her mentorship faculty members have successfully designed and built two graduate online courses for the new Master of Health Administration and revised and enhanced many undergraduate courses,” one nominator said.