The Libraries were well represented at the 2026 University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Awards. The Superior Accomplishment Award program recognizes faculty and staff members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service, efficiency and/or economy, or have created an impact on the quality of life provided to students and employees. This program is designed to recognize outstanding faculty and staff for their dedication to their jobs and for going above and beyond to advance the mission of our great university and serve the community at-large.
The Libraries are a part of Division 3: All schools, colleges, departments, and units under the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Division-level award recipients receive cash awards of $300, then compete for university-level awards, which offer six $1,000 and nine $2,000 cash awards.
The Libraries award winners are:
Employee Performance: CJ Ellward (Public Services Coordinator, Marston Science Library). CJ’s award highlights her work on “Alice,” the Libraries AI chatbot and the time-saving impact it has made for librarians, while providing high-quality triage to website visitors. Nominations in this category reflect individual contributions.
Sustained Excellence: Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler (Exhibits Director). Lourdes’ award reflects her 20 years at the University of Florida Libraries and the creation of the Exhibits Program. Nominations in this category reflect individuals whose exceptional performance, contributions, and successes took place over a longer span of time (minimum of five years).
Team Collaboration: April Hines (Journalism and Mass Communications Librarian), Lisa Campbell (Learning and Engagement Librarian), Matthew Daley (Web Designer), Jasmine Simmons (Student Success Librarian), Hannah Whitaker (Women and Gender Studies Librarian), Patty Takacs (Political Science Librarian). This group’s award details their work creating the “Information Literacy Scholars” program, a collaboration between the UF Libraries and the UF Innovation Academy. Sarah Tew (Curator, Harold & Mary Jean Hanson Rare Book Collection), Hélène Huet (European Studies Librarian and Associate Chair of Library West), Melissa Jerome (Latin American & Caribbean Collection Digital Initiatives Librarian). This trio’s work organizing the committee of the Latin American & Caribbean Digital humanities Symposium. Nominations in this category are for a team of employees (maximum of six) who worked together to accomplish great things for the institution and its future.
All award winners are eligible for the university-level awards, held on April 13.
