The Rhodes Staff Advisory Council (RSAC) is pleased to announce the first winners of the new PAWS for Applause award. PAWS stands for Persons Achieving Work Success, and the award was created to honor outstanding staff at Rhodes. Nominations for the award can be submitted by faculty, staff, and students to recognize dedicated members of our community. RSAC will select up to two winners each quarter, who will receive lots of praise, an award, and free meals on their Lynx card.
We now “PAWS for Applause” to recognize Melissa Butler, director of student accessibility services, and Dr. Joseph Kelly, teacher licensure coordinator in Educational Studies.
Butler's nominators wrote, “Melissa Butler goes above and beyond. She's the epitome of a lifelong learner, always keeping on the cutting edge of knowledge in her department and constantly seeking continuing education opportunities in other areas. She supports students in all their dimensions, not just "disability," which is really what makes Rhodes accessible to them. Her commitment and leadership has evolved to meet current realities in which a much larger fraction of students receive accommodations. Melissa Butler is a positive Rhodes ambassador and a powerful advocate for belonging. She approaches students with dignity, empathy, and respect, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported.”
Kelly's nominators wrote, “Joseph is an exceptional and detail-oriented staff member who is single-handedly responsible for the continued existence of teacher licensure here at Rhodes College. When he took over the position of teacher licensure coordinator, our program was under probation by the state, had no formal record keeping system, and was in danger. Our licensure program is no longer on probation and we are even adding a new endorsement area. Joseph deserves recognition for his years of diligent and tireless work to support our program and our students here at Rhodes. While there are many areas of our college that feel understaffed, remarkably, we rarely feel that in Educational Studies. Because we have Dr. Kelly.”
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding members of our staff! As you think of people who you would like to receive this honor, you can submit your nomination here.
Megan Starling '02 Chair, Staff Advisory Council