Award Winners

Daniel Banuelos
Assistant Director, Educational Talent Search Program
Division of Enrollment and Access, The Access Center
Daniel Banuelos integrates his professional and personal devotion for assisting students from underrepresented populations not only in his role as Assistant Director of the Educational Talent Search Program for The Access Center but also by volunteering to lead workshops and support to students in the CSU Alliance Partnership and Reach Out program. He provides a strong foundation for student success and retention to graduation through his personal guidance and mentorship. Students of color who are often apprehensive about higher education find a strong connection with Dan as a positive role model. He sets a strong example of a committed professional by teaching students the skills to achieve academically while presenting themselves professionally. Dan also shares his passion for inclusivity by representing his area on the Administrative Professional Council and actively promoting diversity on campus.

Devin Engle
4-H Youth Development Agent
Colorado State University Extension, Pueblo County Office
Although Devin Engle has only managed the Pueblo County 4-H Youth Development program for two years, because of her efforts, membership has increased 14% and the number of youth enrolled in the Leadership Development Camp, where participates learn leadership and life skills, increased 72%. This past year, Devin coached a group of youth in parliamentary procedure. Not only are they using the skills they learned to better organize and manage meetings, they participated and won the State Parliamentary Procedure contest and were the Reserve Champion Team in the nation. Devin’s enthusiasm for the families and 4-H and her genuine care for the youth involved are reciprocated by the response of the people in Pueblo County. Since she began, the number of volunteer leaders increased by 27%. Her commitment to integrity and honor is mirrored in the appreciation displayed by her clients and co-workers. She serves on search committees, mentors new hires and is also representing Extension Agents as a member of the Colorado State University Extension’s Salary Task Force.

James Graham
Director
Environmental Health Services
As Director, James oversees a team in Environmental Health Services whose mission is to keep the CSU community safe from a myriad of hazards. Programs under James’ supervision include Public Health, Radiation Control, Chemical Safety, Occupational Health, Fume Hood Certification and Safety, Laser Safety, Emergency Management and Response, Biosafety and others. Recently, he also volunteered his time to work with the CSU-Pueblo staff to review and meet safety and health obligations on their campus. Promoting and monitoring safety means making difficult decisions to reflect regulatory compliance while also allowing for efficient research project completion. To stay well-prepared and educated, James is receptive to the knowledge and experience of others and is always ready to host representatives of other schools, counties and agencies to share techniques and pool resources. Through collaboration with on campus staff as well as outside agencies, he has created a quality community of emergency responders throughout Northern Colorado and beyond.

Jenny Harding
Research Coordinator
Microbiology, immunology and pathology
Jenny goes beyond the typical level of responsibility for a Coordinator in the Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Department by demonstrating service, team work and quality outreach for everyone. She coordinates program aspects from office supplies for the CSU campus to pathogen containment respirators for tuberculosis research collaborators in South Africa. On a regular basis, Jenny navigates between multiple research teams, principle investigators, and outside companies and institutions. She facilitates the department grant submittal process and is diligent about completing and compiling all documents in a timely basis. Through all this, Jenny shares her love for CSU and her co-workers by sewing baby blankets for staff and jackets for Cam the Ram.

Dr. Albert Powell
Director, Learning Technologies
Colorado State University OnlinePlus
Dr. Albert Powell’s duties at CSU as Director of Learning Technologies for OnlinePlus, and his contributions to national and state organizations, keep him extremely busy. Yet, he consistently finds effective methods of resolving issues as they arise, even during his off hours or while traveling. He is always encouraging faculty to learn new ways to use technology to teach courses and supporting students in balancing work, school and family life. He serves on the Classroom Review Board, the OnlinePlus Leadership Team, ACNS technology committees and the Classroom Equipment Services group. He represents CSU on the boards of the United States Distance Learning Association, the United Professional and Continuing Education Association and the eLearning Consortium of Colorado. He also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Edward R. Murrow College of Communications at Washington State University.

Daniel Rees
Forester and Logistics Coordinator
Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML)
In his position as Forester and Logistics Coordinator with the Center for the Environmental Management of Military Lands at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dan directs air logistics for as many as fifty people at a time. He takes pride in using every inch of space and every single minute of helicopter and aircraft time by executing complicated schedules of people and gear pick-ups and drop-offs to transport thousands of pounds of equipment and supplies around interior Alaska for multiple, concurrent projects. Dan also coordinates the summer plans of Army partners such as the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and the Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District (SDWSCD), ensuring the projects of both CEMML and other agencies are mutually benefited by these relationships. He works closely with community and Army development planners to schedule time to salvage trees and conduct timber sales, making the forestry program at Fort Wainwright the only compliance-driven program earning money for the Army. As a side note, Dan is also the “go-to” person for the perfect office Christmas tree.

Melanie Smith-Nichols
Academic Support Coordinator
Center for Advising and Student Achievement
Melanie’s commitment to student success is apparent not only in her role as Academic Support Coordinator for the Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA) but also in her relationships with students and her other campus involvement. She shows empathy and compassion for non-traditional students by collaborating with the Adult Learner and Veteran Services (ALVS) and Veterans Educational Benefits Offices. She has made an effort to be the point of contact for numerous Veteran students regarding advising, campus resources and support services. She has also represented CASA at resource fairs for non-traditional students, at the Office of Admissions Military Visit Day events and presented twice at the CSU Veteran Symposium. She volunteers at the (ALVS) Veteran’s Day 5K race and Vets with Vision Networking events and has been a Key Explore seminar instructor for three years. Melanie makes an effort to connect with others on professional and personal levels, making a positive and meaningful impact on students.