2008 TIAA-CREF Staff Award for Excellence
 Lisa Neal earned her Bachelor of Science from Doane College and her MBA from the University of Nebraska. She began her professional career at UNK in 1998. Lisa is described by her supervisor and colleagues as “a bright, energetic, and broadly capable individual who is a real treasure to UNK” and as someone with “tremendous enthusiasm, energy, and a strong work ethic.” In her first position at UNK, within the division of Information Technology, she was responsible for creating and modifying requests for information needed by various campus offices. One of her greatest assets was discerning what people needed from what they said – which is not necessarily an easy task for a tech person when dealing with the non-tech public! In her current position, Lisa is providing UNK with a greater ability to respond to requests for information by creating a design on which to build a “datamart.”. While not yet complete, the initial design has already improved services and will lead to greater data availability and response to users. She has also been instrumental in developing and implementing UNK’s participation in a public report called the “College Portrait,” which is part of a collaborative effort nationwide to improve public understanding of higher education. Other responsibilities include providing financial analytical support and finance processing.
When she interviewed for her current position in the Office of Institutional Research, she made the statement that “she wanted to enjoy what she was doing and she did not want to sacrifice her time if she couldn’t make a difference.” Those with whom she works are unanimous in their opinions that Lisa Neal is indeed making a difference.
For Lisa’s dedication to the university community she receives the 2008 TIAA/CREF Staff Award for Excellence plaque and a $1,000 check from TIAA/CREF.
 Dannien Jones began her career with the University of Nebraska at Kearney as the Secretary to the Dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences in August 1980. Dannien has been described as one of the great unsung heroes at UNK and her ratings by each of her four deans has been consistently outstanding over the years. To try and list all of her activities is a monumental task in itself. It includes budget, scheduling, personnel, correspondence, working with students, staff, faculty and other administrators to name just a few. Clearly, Dannien is the hub of the daily operations of the College of Natural and Social Sciences and she performs her duties in a very graceful yet conscientious way.
Dannien has kept up on technology; in fact, she was the first secretary at UNK (then KSC) to use a computer and continues to this day to lead the college as technological advances occur. In summary, if you had to point to the most essential person in the College of Natural and Social Sciences, Dannien is that person.
Dannien is also a very strong supporter of Loper Athletics and is frequently seen at Loper football, basketball and volleyball games.
For Dannien’s dedication to the university community she receives the 2008 TIAA/CREF Staff Award for Excellence plaque and a $1,000 check from TIAA/CREF.
Staff Senate would like to thank TIAA-CREF for their continuing support of the Staff Award for Excellence.
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