The purpose of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards is to recognize the dedicated work, vital services, and outstanding contributions of the UW System’s non-instructional academic staff.
Two awards of $7,500 each will be made to non-instructional administrative or professional academic staff members in recognition of their exceptional service to the university. The funds for these awards are designated to support professional development or other activities approved by the recipients that enhance a university program or function.
An additional award of $7,500 will be made to a program primarily staffed by non-instructional administrative and professional academic staff in recognition of the important role played by academic staff in supporting students and their success. The funds for this award are designated to support program enhancements such as the staff recipients’ professional development or program-related supplies and expenses, or for other activities approved by the staff recipients that enhance a university program or function.
The awards process is administered by the systemwide Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
2020 Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards Nominations
Submission Deadline: February 21, 2020
The 2020 Regents Academic Excellence Awards are expected to be presented at the June 5, 2019 Board of Regents meeting at UW-Milwaukee.
Click below to review the guidelines and selection criteria or submit nomination materials.
Recent Academic Staff Excellence Award Recipients
2019
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2019 recipients of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting on June 7, 2019 at UW-Milwaukee.
The 2019 recipients include two individuals and one program:
- Elaina Koltz, Financial Aid Advisor, Veteran Services, UW-Green Bay
- Mark Klapatch, Sustainability and Custodial Supervisor, Sustainability/Facilities Management, UW-River Falls
- UW-Parkside Library, UW-Parkside
News release: Regents’ 2019 Academic Staff Excellence Awards announced

Elaina KoltzFinancial Aid Advisor, Veteran Services, UW-Green Bay

Mark KlapatchSustainability & Custodial Supervisor, Sustainability/Facilities Management, UW-River Falls

UW-Parkside LibraryUW-Parkside
Profile of UW-Parkside Library
(from left) Ray Cross, UW System President; Laura Briskie, Research Help and Instruction Librarian; Anna Stadick, Library Director; Regent Drew Petersen; Xou Lee Va Vang, Research Help and Instruction Librarian; Paige Barreto, Outreach and Marketing Librarian; Dina Kaye, Head of Library Collections; Melissa Olson, Head of Archives; Rebecca Robbennolt, Archivist and Records Manager; and Regent Janice Mueller
(not pictured) Heather Spencer, Access Service Technology Coordinator; Liz Antaramian, Library and Archives Assistant; Dave Gehring, Access Services Manager; Jay Dougherty, Head of Library Systems; Brian Dorband, Acquisitions Supervisor; Jennie Callas, Head of Reference and Instruction; Becky Tolejano, Library Technology Support; Shauna Edson, Instructional Design Librarian; and Jean Hrpcek, Administrative Assistant
2018
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2018 recipients of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting on April 6, 2018 in Madison.
The 2018 recipients include two individuals and one program:
- Jaclyn Esqueda, Programs Manager, Engineering, Mathematics and Science Student Success Programs, UW-Platteville
- Karen E. Mittelstadt, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Nursing, UW-Madison
- Lake Superior Research Institute, UW-Superior
News release: Regents Honor Outstanding UW System Academic Staff

Jaclyn EsquedaPrograms Manager, Engineering, Mathematics and Science Student Success Programs, UW-Platteville

Karen E. MittelstadtAssistant Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Nursing, UW-Madison

Lake Superior Research InstituteUW-Superior
2017
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2017 recipients of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting on June 9, 2017 at UW-Milwaukee.
The 2017 recipients include two individuals and one program:
- Jean Creighton, Director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium, UW-Milwaukee
- Ellen Latorraca, Associate Academic Librarian, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater
- UW System Higher Education Location Program (UW HELP), UW-Extension
News summary: Regents Honor Winners of 2017 Academic Staff Awards for Excellence

Jean CreightonDirector of the Manfred Olson Planetarium, UW-Milwaukee

Ellen LatorracaAssociate Academic Librarian, Andersen Library, UW-Whitewater

UW System Higher Education Location Program (UW HELP)UW-Extension
Award accepted by Director Mary Vilmo on behalf of UW HELP staff.
2016
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2016 recipients of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting on April 8, 2016 at UW-Green Bay.
The 2016 recipients include two individuals and one program:
- Linnea Burk, Clinical Associate Professor, Director, Psychology Research and Training Clinic, UW-Madison
- Michael Martin, Senior Advisor/Administrative Specialist, College of Education and Professional Studies, UW-River Falls
- David A. Cofrin Library, UW-Green Bay
News release: Regents to honor winners of 2016 Academic Staff Awards for Excellence

Linnea BurkDirector, Psychology Research and Training Clinic, UW-Madison

Michael MartinSenior Advisor/Administrative Specialist, College of Education and Professional Studies, UW-River Falls

David A. Cofrin LibraryUW-Green Bay
2015
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2015 recipients of the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards at its meeting on June 5, 2015 at UW-Milwaukee.
The 2015 recipients include two individuals and one program:
- Gene Clark, Coastal Engineering Specialist, Sea Grant Institute, UW-Madison
- Jennifer Elsesser, Assistant Director, Counseling Services, UW-River Falls
- Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, UW-Eau Claire
News release: Regents to honor winners of 2015 Academic Staff Awards for Excellence

Gene ClarkCoastal Engineering Specialist, Sea Grant Institute, UW-Madison

Jennifer ElsesserAssistant Director, Counseling Services, UW-River Falls

Office of Research and Sponsored ProgramsUW-Eau Claire
Profile of UW-Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs