Four University of North Georgia employees were honored at the University System of Georgia's Chancellor's Service Excellence Awards on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta.

UNG took home four awards, tying with Georgia Institute of Technology for the most awards received and tying with Georgia College and State University with the most two gold awards. Twelve UNG employees were nominated for awards in eight categories, with gold, silver and bronze awarded in each category.

Award recipients were:

• Outstanding Process Improvement Award: Increase Service to Students – Gold

Ms. Terri Carroll, executive director, academic advising, (and the UNG academic advising team).

Carroll nominated the Academic Advising Center's project, "Maximize Your Major and Advising Tools."

"The advising team has dedicated themselves to teaching students how to develop educational paths that match their interests and abilities, interpret UNG policies, and assess academic progress," Carroll said. "They have developed tools, such as user friendly plans of study, departmental advising syllabi, and year-by-year course planning guides, to support this developmental process. Winning the team award for outstanding process and increased service to students is a celebration of their efforts in supporting student success."

• Outstanding Process Improvement Award: Increase Effectiveness and Efficiency – Bronze

Nick Kastner, marketing manager, Mike Cottrell College of Business.

Bobbi Larson, development officer for the Mike Cottrell College of Business, nominated Kastner and his project, "Agile Marketing Improvement Initiative."

"To be honored for our marketing efforts in this way was quite a surprise," Kastner said. "As a discipline, marketing has a tremendous impact on colleges and universities ranging from enrollment and retention to community engagement and graduate success. Building a stronger brand for the Mike Cottrell College of Business helps us elevate our status as a business school and improves top of mind awareness, which helps our graduates better compete in industry for jobs."

• Service Excellence Award: Outstanding Leader – Bronze

Katie Simmons, associate dean of students and undergraduate programs, Mike Cottrell College of Business.

Nick Kastner, marketing manager Mike Cottrell College of Business, nominated Simmons.

"I'm very humbled and proud to have been nominated and selected for the Chancellor’s Service Excellence Award," said Simmons. "This is a very special honor for me particularly since the Mike Cottrell College of Business had several award winners. It was nice to share the day with my colleagues. UNG is a great place to work and we all strive to serve our students and stakeholders."

• Service Excellence Award: Outstanding – Gold

Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science

Keith Antonia, associate vice president for military programs, nominated Payne for his leadership role with the Center for Cyber Operations Education.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Chancellor on behalf of the Center for Cyber Operations Education, and to know that the University System is excited about the work we’re doing in cyber at UNG," said Payne. “It’s especially encouraging that UNG received four Service Excellence awards for the innovative programs and services being offered to students across the university."

The Chancellor’s Annual Service Excellence Awards are to recognize and reward employees for demonstrating consistently high levels of performance while accomplishing normal job responsibilities as it relates to service during the past year. It also serves to highlight employees’ service projects and process improvement activities.

USG Chancellor Dr. Steve Wrigley and Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness Dr. John Fuchko presented awards and congratulated the winners.

Sandy Ott, director of the UNG Blue Ridge Campus, was awarded the Service Excellence Award last year of her dedication to cultivating relationships and collaborations between UNG and the Blue Ridge community.