Chancellor Phil DiStefano has announced the recipients of the 2020 Employee of the Year awards. The annual awards are presented to CU Boulder staff in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the operations and success of CU Boulder. This year, nominators were asked to highlight exceptional contributions of employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-nine employees were nominated by their colleagues for their exceptional service and contributions, and the winners selected this year were part of an outstanding group of candidates. All of this year’s winners have shown incredible strength and commitment to our operations, our staff, our students and the Boulder community during the pandemic. They represent the best of CU.
Congratulations to the 2020 award recipients: Tim Golden, Lisa Landis, Devin Cramer and Anne McWilliams.
We are Buffs together.
Tim Golden
Tim Golden is the director of Transportation and Distribution Services. Tim has been instrumental in readying and outfitting the campus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among his many contributions this year, Tim has coordinated the outfitting of over 500 labs, managed PPE and HVAC systems for the entire campus, adapted Buff Bus service levels in response to COVID-19, and redeveloped the campus distribution center to accommodate remote working, learning and teaching.
One nominator said the following: “Tim’s professionalism, inspiring leadership and dedication to mission speaks volumes about his character and to CU Boulder’s success.”
Tim was actively involved in the development and execution of the Road Map to Fall 2020, which outlined campus preparations for a COVID-19-ready campus for the fall semester. Additionally, Tim guided teams in the reconfiguration of classrooms for social distancing. Tim is known as a compassionate and thoughtful leader and his work has ensured that operations on campus could continue safely.
Lisa Landis
Lisa Landis is the assistant vice chancellor of employee relations. Lisa has been a true campus leader, navigating the challenges of COVID-19 for CU employees. Lisa has managed changes in leave administration, FMLA guidance, and navigated Governor Jared Polis's executive order on Safer at Home for all employee and faculty groups on campus. During a difficult time Lisa has met the significant challenges to the campus with compassion and effective leadership.
In the words of one nominator: “She consistently models the ideals of unbreakable perseverance, growth mindset, adaptability, empathy, and humility.”
Lisa has played a significant role implementing virtually every major initiative impacting staff during COVID-19: from the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to guidance on returning employees to work on campus; from guidance to supervisors on managing a safe work environment to employee surveillance testing. Lisa’s proven leadership during the pandemic is a testament to her commitment to providing the best workplace for her fellow employees.
Devin Cramer
Devin Cramer serves as the assistant dean of students, Division of Student Affairs. Devin has played a pivotal role in advocating for students while simultaneously managing their student journey within the constraints of COVID-19. Devin has been instrumental in managing relationships on the Hill and working with the broader Boulder community to keep both our students and community safe. Devin and his colleagues worked diligently to update the Student Code of Conduct to reflect urgent public health obligations and the heightened expectations of student behavior during the pandemic.
As one nominator shared: “Devin’s leadership style reflects thoughtfulness, intentionality, generosity, and empathy. He is quick to listen and provides a platform for students and colleagues to brainstorm, voice concerns, and receive support.”
Devin’s unwavering commitment to CU students and his work to ensure they have the best possible experience under the most difficult of times reflects positively on us all.
Anne McWilliams
Anne McWilliams is the director of undergraduate academic affairs for the Department of Chemistry. Anne provides course scheduling guidance and aid to the hundreds of biochemistry and chemistry majors and the thousands of students from other departments enrolled in general chemistry. Anne assists students in resolving course scheduling conflicts, and is instrumental in helping students move into course sections, recitations and laboratories. Anne rose to the challenges of the pandemic by adjusting hundreds of course time offerings and adapting the way she works with students. When room occupancies were reduced, Anne rescheduled 170 labs and recitations with creative combinations of space and technology in order to still provide an in-person experience for students.
One of Anne’s nominators stated: “She handles all obstacles, even the most intractable, with aplomb and practicality. She never presents a bureaucratic front for students; instead, she consistently treats even the most difficult individuals with great respect and a proactive, problem-solving attitude.”
Anne continues to meet with students via email, Zoom or on the phone, to ensure that their coursework will continue on schedule, that they are able to participate in first-year cohorts for labs, and to provide them with the institutional support they need in their academic studies. In her over 40 years as an employee at CU, Anne has proven to be an institution unto herself and an invaluable partner to all of the CU community.
