Faculty/Staff Spotlights

  1. December 9, 2024 Haley Perkins
    “I like that it’s accessible to children, but it also brings a childlike experience for me that I just get to play and see what happens.”

    — Haley Perkins, public programs and engagement officer at the Stamps Gallery who has been a lifelong artist and enjoys elevating the method of gel-plate printing beyond crafting

    Read more about Haley Perkins
  2. November 25, 2024 Linda Garcia
    “There was a lot of contemplation over what they’re viewing and the messages that are there for them to interpret.”

    — Linda Garcia, executive assistant in LSA’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology who uses her creativity with quilting and dioramas to celebrate scientists in EEB

    Read more about Linda Garcia
  3. November 18, 2024 Jennaye Wade
    “I felt like cheer helped me when I was a kid and becoming an adult because it helped me become more personable.”

    — Jennaye Wade, human resources generalist associate at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business who is a full-time volunteer varsity cheer coach and cheer director for the Washtenaw Junior Maize Football and Cheer League

    Read more about Jennaye Wade
  4. November 11, 2024 Chrysta Lienczewski
    “The joy that it brings them and the hope, I always get emotional talking about it, because it’s just so fantastic.”

    — Chrysta Lienczewski, a clinical research program manager with the Michigan Kidney Translational Medicine Center in Michigan Medicine who has been involved with Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour for 15 years

    Read more about Chrysta Lienczewski
  5. November 4, 2024 Olivia Deane
    “I feel like I’ve done my job if I’m helping kids grow and building their confidence every single day.”

    — Olivia Deane, financial specialist associate in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance who for the past several years has directed many children’s theater performances

    Read more about Olivia Deane
  6. October 28, 2024 Gabriela Marcu
    “Improv is all about being comfortable with uncertainty. It’s being comfortable with failing.”

    — Gabriela Marcu, assistant professor of information in the School of Information who discovered improv after starting a job at Drexel University and has brought her passion to UMSI

    Read more about Gabriela Marcu
  7. October 21, 2024 Bill Horvath
    “As my skills improve over time, each piece of work gets more sophisticated and interesting to me, which is very rewarding.”

    — Bill Horvath, full-stack engineer supervisor at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research who has built up a sizable and impressive portfolio of artwork

    Read more about Bill Horvath
  8. October 14, 2024 Mica Harrison Loosemore
    “I unwind by doing my art, and some days that’s coloring and some days that’s new creations.”

    — Mica Harrison Loosemore, assistant dean of admissions, financial aid and enrollment at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance who loves to create fabric art or textile art

    Read more about Mica Harrison Loosemore
  9. October 7, 2024 Meg Millure
    “I’m very passionate about facilitating your own ability to still be excited by common birds.”

    — Meg Millure, annual giving and stewardship officer in the School of Information who has a deep and special affinity for birds, particularly peregrine falcons.

    Read more about Meg Millure
  10. September 30, 2024 Eda Bozkurt
    “Ballroom dancing keeps me motivated and helps me maintain a healthy balance with my work.”

    — Eda Bozkurt, who serves multiple roles across the university and has competed in dance competitions nationally and internationally for more than 10 years

    Read more about Eda Bozkurt