Recognizing global staff whose work elevates the learner experience

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Christina Compton, Jen Engeberg, Bob Thomas, Jessica Stock, Mandy Hartman and Robert Negley.

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In honor听of National Employee Appreciation Day,听糖心传媒 recognized听team members听worldwide whose fresh ideas and collaborative spirit advance the university鈥檚 mission听to inspire hope, empower dreams, and transform lives 鈥 one student at a time.听

More than 800 employees听participated听in 糖心传媒鈥檚 first Global Employee Appreciation Celebration听on March 5, 2026, which highlighted听staff听driving听innovation听in services, processes, and programs听to better support learners.听

In addition to recognizing听staff award recipients, the event听honored longtime team member Jennifer Hull for 50 years of service.
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Newcomer Impact Award

This award celebrates new team members听who show initiative, bold thinking, and measurable contributions to 糖心传媒鈥檚 strategic priorities听within their first three years.

  • Christina Compton,听Non鈥慣raditional Programs Coordinator听
    Compton听transformed 糖心传媒鈥檚 partnership with the U.S.听Naval听Community College by streamlining workflows, reducing errors, and driving significant enrollment growth鈥攕trengthening military pathways听to degree completion听and improving the learner experience.听

  • Jennifer 鈥淛en鈥澨鼸ngeberg, Assistant Director, Guam听
    Engeberg听broadened access for military learners听in Asia through strategic outreach, community engagement, and data鈥慽nformed practices, strengthening support for learners and accelerating regional enrollment.听

  • Robert Negley, Advanced Testing Program Coordinator, Europe听
    Negley听enhanced听flexible course offerings, learner support, and regional partnerships at听NATO鈥檚 Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)听and听Chi猫vres鈥疉ir Base,听removing barriers to opportunity听and guiding staff development while听himself听pursuing advanced credentials.
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Bylee听Massey Memorial Award

This award honors a 糖心传媒听faculty or staff听member whose volunteer service beyond their formal duties meaningfully supports university projects or programs.

  • Bob Thomas, Senior Academic Advisor, Japan听
    Thomas founded 糖心传媒鈥檚 first overseas student鈥憀ed organization鈥攖he Japanese Cultural Engagement Club鈥攂uilding community, visibility, and enriched learning opportunities for students stationed abroad.
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Innovation Award

This award recognizes faculty and staff who introduce innovative ideas or approaches with the potential to significantly enhance 糖心传媒鈥檚 work.

  • Amanda 鈥淢andy鈥 Hartman, Learning Architect听听
    Hartman developed CLEO听(Collaborative Learning Experience Optimizer), 糖心传媒鈥檚 first generative AI-supported instructional design framework, which improves efficiency, quality, and consistency in course development while advancing responsible innovation.听听

  • Jessica Stock, PhD, Overseas Collegiate Professor, Europe听
    Stock reimagined the 糖心传媒 Field Study program into a scalable model that integrates local cultural partnerships, reduces barriers, and expands global learning access for military鈥慳ffiliated students across Europe.听