A-State Presents Distinguished Performance Awards to Staff

May 13, 2026
The 33rd annual Distinguished Performance Awards at Arkansas State University were presented to seven staff members and one departmental team.

JONESBORO – The 33rd annual Distinguished Performance Awards at Arkansas State University were presented to seven staff members and one departmental team.

The annual campus ceremony for non-faculty employees was conducted by members of the Staff Senate. The recognitions were presented by members of the award committee: Dr. Tiffany Mosley, Angela Daniels, Dr. Pamela Henderson, Kelly Sabin and Ian Buchanan.

The Distinguished Performance Award recipients are:

-- Enhancing the Student Experience – Joycelynne Williams, academic success coach, Transition Studies

-- STAR (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability) - Molly Alexander-Steele, executive director for research development, Research and Technology Transfer

-- Unsung Hero – Kevin Hennings, assistant director of accreditation, Office of Accreditation and Assessment

-- Team Player – Rebekah Gass, public safety dispatcher, University Police Department 

-- Rookie of the Year – Dr. Latika Johnson, director, Multicultural Affairs 

-- Outstanding Part-Time Award – Jayla White, Dean B. Ellis Library

-- Team Achievement Award – Procurement Services

This year, a new award was presented by Chancellor Todd Shields. The Chancellor's Medal of Honor for Staff Excellence is presented to a staff member who has shown a myriad of traits, including a commitment to excellence, contributions beyond job duties, and excellent
customer service and campus impact. The winner of the inaugural award is Donald “Andrew” Bearden, academic adviser in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The award nominees are individuals who exemplify professionalism and dedication to excellence in service who perform above the standard to enhance quality at A-State.

The program also included recognition of retiring staff members and those achieving service milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years.

The Distinguished Performance Awards program was initiated in 1994 to recognize outstanding job performance and long-time service by the university’s non-faculty employees, both classified and non-classified. 

award winners in a row
From left, Dr. Latika Johnson, Rebekah Gass, Kevin Hennings, Donald "Andrew" Bearden, Sharon Lee (who received a 45-year service award), Joycelynne Williams, and Molly Alexander-Steele.