Stories

Nancy Keil Service Excellence Award

In recognition of staff having established a well-deserved reputation for sustained excellence and initiative in providing technical or administrative support service, and for consistently approaching one’s responsibilities with a professionalism that demonstrates dedication to the welfare of students and others and that leads by example.

Jessica Szyndrowski, English Department Manager, has received the Nancy Keil Service Excellence Award for more than 20 years of dedicated service to the department. Faculty describe Jess as “the glue that holds the department together,” drawing on her deep institutional knowledge and problem-solving skills to benefit the English department daily. She takes on major responsibilities, including the academic year planning process and a 250-class course schedule, and is always ready to answer the “not-so-quick” quick questions. Her colleagues say no request is too big or too small.

Her care and commitment are felt by student assistants, too. One student described Jess’s kindness and dedication as helping make the department “a welcoming, supportive, and wonderful place to be and work in.” Another recalled being nervous during their interview because they wanted the job so much, having heard about Jess’s reputation as a wonderful student supervisor.

English faculty member Tim Meyers wrote an extensive poem for Jess, capturing the affection she inspires, illustrated in the following excerpt:

She’s kind and generous nonetheless—
The key to our department success—
And chocolates always on her desk!
We’re blessed with the best,
It’s Jess, it’s Jess!

Congratulations to Jessica Szyndrowski, recipient of the 2026 Nancy Keil Service Excellence Award!