Staff Member of the Month Award
UM staff members play a critical role staff play in advancing the university's mission and enhancing the campus community. The Staff Member of the Month Award celebrates the dedication, professionalism, and exceptional contributions of staff members who go above and beyond in their roles. Each month, the Staff Council highlights individuals who embody the university's core values through their work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence.
Staff Member of the Month
November 2025 - In Memoriam
Jeremy Roberts
Assistant Director of Academic Support Programs
In Honor of Jeremy Roberts
A Letter from Staff Council President
Jeremy was selected by the Staff Council Executive Board for his selfless and unwavering service to the University – especially his students and Staff Council. Our Staff Council President, Lolita Gregory, has shared kind words:
“Dear Colleagues,
It is with both deep admiration and heartfelt sorrow that we honor Dr. Jeremy Roberts as the University of Mississippi Staff Member of the Month for November. Jeremy’s recent passing has left an immeasurable void in our community, but his legacy of service, compassion, and dedication continues to shine brightly across our campus.
Jeremy was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 21, 1984, to Lee Ann and Thomas Roberts. He later made the University of Mississippi his academic and professional home—a place where he discovered not only his calling, but also the students, colleagues, and friends who became his family. A proud graduate of Ole Miss, Jeremy earned a bachelor’s degree in English and hospitality management and later a doctorate in higher education, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning and to the institution he loved.
Since joining the university staff in 2002, Jeremy served in numerous impactful roles. He began his career as an instructor and learning specialist, where his natural ability to connect with students quickly became evident. As assistant director and coordinator of the annual Academic Probation Symposium, he helped reshape how we support students facing academic challenges, always believing that every student deserved a fresh start and a strong foundation. His dedication in the classroom earned him the Instructor of the Year award in Spring 2017—an honor that reflected the respect and admiration he inspired in students and colleagues alike.
At the time of his passing, Jeremy served as the Associate Director of the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience, a role in which he worked tirelessly to create pathways for student achievement and personal growth. Both his work and his students meant everything to him. His passion for higher education, his belief in the potential of every student, and his unwavering support for the mission of the university shaped not only programs and policies, but lives.
Jeremy was also a valued and active member of the Staff Council organization and executive board. His leadership, insight, and generosity of spirit strengthened our community and enriched our collective work. He carried with him a genuine love for the University of Mississippi and a steadfast commitment to serving others—qualities that defined him both professionally and personally.
As we honor Jeremy as Staff Member of the Month for November, we celebrate a colleague who exemplified excellence, compassion, and integrity. We remember a higher education professional whose life’s work was rooted in helping students succeed and whose influence will continue to be felt for years to come. Though we mourn his loss, we also give thanks for the countless ways he made our university better.
Please join us in extending our deepest condolences to Jeremy’s family and in honoring the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.
With respect and remembrance,
Lolita Tunstall
Staff Council President
University of Mississippi
On behalf of Staff Council, we thank Jeremy for his 12 years of valuable contributions to the University of Mississippi.
Previous Winners
Jeremy Roberts, Assistant Director of Academic Support Programs, Center for Student Success and First Year Experience (November - In Memoriam)
Jarren Ramsey, Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Operations, Ole Miss Athletics (October)
Daniel Hill, Coordinator, Center for Student Success and First Year Experience (September)
Cindy May, Senior Associate Director, Office of Financial Aid (August)
Maura Murr, Assistant Director, Center for Student Success and First Year Experience (July)
Hanna Lee, Operations Coordinator II, Center for Exc in Teaching & Learning (June)
Christi Burnside, Admissions Specialist III, Office of Admissions (May)
Sharron Buford, Custodian II, Custodial Shop Facilities Management (April)
Kim Jones-Hibbler, Custodian, Custodial Services (March)
Corianna Newsom-Jolly, Coordinator of Communications & Student Recruitment, FASTrack (February)
Nic Davis, HR Service Coordinator, Human Resources (January)
- Deborah Livingston, Custodian, Custodial Services (December)
- Kathrine Thornton, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Intercollegiate Athletics (November)
- Lauren Rogers, Library Specialist I, J.D. Williams Library (October)
- Rose Maten, Program Coordinator, School of Law (September)
- Neal Ann Chamblee, Academic Advisor, Health Professions Advising Office (August)
- Pam Starling, Assistant Director of Marketing, Division of Outreach (July)
- Kathy Baker, Operations Coordinator, Human Resources (June)
- Catherine Tyson, Custodian, Custodial Services (May)
- Ryan Carpenter, Operations Associate, University Museum & Historic Houses (April)
- Chelsea Walters, Lab School Teacher, School of Education (March)
- Shirley Davenport, Custodian, Custodial Services (February)
- Carrie Long, Application Analyst II, Application Development & Integration, Information Technology (January)
- Natalia Norwood, Law Fellow-Title IX Investigator/Trainer, Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance (December)
- Emma Scott, International Student Advisor, International Student & Scholar Services (November)
Mary Bramlett, Academic Counselor, School of Education (October) - Tammy Bray, Operations Coordinator, Parking and Transportation (September)
- Kay Tyler, Coordinator of International Admissions and Recruitment, International Student & Scholar Services (August)
- Kendra Sampey, Research Administration Advisor, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (July)
- Charles “Bruce” Newell, IT Specialist, Division of Outreach (June)
- Ashley McGee, Director of MBA & MHA, School of Business (May)
- Craig Richmond, Manager, Human Resources (April)
- Tina Hahn, Director of Communications, University Development (March)
- Reham Helal, Coordinator, Division of Outreach (February)
- Jason Welch, Lieutenant, University Police (January)
- Mary King, Special Events Assistant, Special Events (December)
- Mo Khalid, Network Administrator, School of Education (November)
- Tricia Pierre, Assistant to the Dean, School of Pharmacy (October)
- Jonathan Smith, Film. Equipment Manager, Theatre & Film (September)
- Melinda Grimmett, Operations Manager, Facilities Management (August)
- Jacquline Vinson, Program Manager, Provost/VC for Academic Affairs (July)
- Yashwant Prakash Vyas, Program Director, VC for Diversity & Community Engagement (June)
- Brad Sheeks, Maintenance Technician, General Maintenance (May)
- Kim Carr, Program Assistant, Office of Pre-College Programs (April)
- Anita Randle, Research Advisor, Office of Research (March)
- Sherrie Gussow, Admin Secretary, Dept. of BioMolecular Sciences (February)
- Charlie Miles, Tech Consultant, Academic Computing (January)
- Wendy Pfrenger, Associate Dir of Pre-College Programs, Outreach (December)
- Kristina Phillips, Associate Director, Office of College Programs (November)
- Lynne Trusty, Operations Coordinator, Civil Engineering (October)
- Elise “Le Le” Gillespie, Project Coordinator, College of Liberal Arts (September)
- Christina Lewis, Operations Mngr, Telecommunications Ctr (August)
- Kaleb Robbins, System Analyst, Contractual Services (July)
- Sandra Cox-McCarty, Associate Dean for Administration/Diversity, School of Law (June)
- James Moody, Plumber, Facilities Management (May)
- Lance Sullivan, Sr. Lab Technician, Department of Biology (April)
- Tori Huckaby, Administrative Coordinator, Leadership & Counselor Education (March)
- Erin Ridout, Academic Counselor, School of Accounting (February)
- Harold Sneed, Gardener, National Center for Natural Products Research (January)
- Sarah Campbell, Instructional Design &Training Spec, Pharmacy (December)
- Brad Jenkins, Coordinator of Advising, Recruitment, & Retention, HESRM (November)
- Anthony Gossett, Manufacturing Technician, CME (October)
- Shannon Singletary, Health Exercise Science and Recreation Management: Training Room (September)
- Marshall Crowther, M.D., Student Health Services (August)
- Denny Buchannon, Facilities Management (July)
- Brian Hopkins, Academic Computing (June)
- Alex Langhart, Student Health Service (May)
- Le’Tosha James, Department of Naval Science (April)
- Gearldine Campbell, Office of Procurement Services (March)
- Terence Williams, Office of Procurement (February)
- Jen Blakley, School of Pharmacy (January)
- Meredith Sessums, School of Education (December)
- Teri Gray, School of Applied Sciences, (November)
- April Thompson, Division of Outreach (October)
- Dale Bramlett, Health, Exercise Sci & Recreation Mgmt (September)
- Deborah Livingston, Custodial Services (June)
- James Corner, Undergraduate Admissions (May)
- Kelley Houston, History (April)
- Glenn Schove, Writing & Rhetoric (March)
- Terry Blackmarr, General Studies (February)
- Vernita Ivy, Student Housing (January)
- Dewey Knight, Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience (December)
- Theda Russell, Bursar (November)
- Margaret Freeman Walden, Institutional Research, Effectiveness & Planning (October)
- Loretta Sledge Thomas, Procurement (September)
- Laura Vaughn, Intensive English Program (August)
- Micah Bowen, ID Center (July)
- Camille Toles, Psychology (June)
- Katherine Slone, Provost (May)
- Martina Brewer, Admissions (April)
- Ellen Shelton, Outreach & Continuing Education (March)
- Drew Windham, Outreach & Continuing Education (February)
- Ebony McEwen, Registrar (January)
- Tamulia L. Salters, Admissions Counselor, Booneville Campus (December)
- Brandy Bacon, Human Resources (November)
- Ashley Olson, Facilities Planning (October)
- Belinda Redmond, Procurement Services (September)
- Rhonda Ivy, Custodial Services (August)
- Matt Ward, Biology (July)
- Lele Gillespie, College of Liberal Arts (June)
- Shawnboda Mead, Center for Inclusion & Cross Cultural Engagement (May)
- Jessica Hughes, Human Resources (April)
- Tricia Pierre, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (March)
- Henrietta Henderson, Institute of Child Nutrition (February)
- Erin Garrett, Outreach & Continuing Education, Southaven Campus (January)
- Susan Tyler, Nutrition & Hospitality Management (December)
- Letitia “Tish” Mariano, Procurement Services (November)
- Loretta Thomas, Procurement Services (October)
- Jennifer Phillips, Center for Student Success & First Year Experience (September)
- Jennifer Taylor, National Center for Natural Products Research (August)
- Kim Byrd, Biology, (July)
- Christopher Melton, Department of Financial Aid (June)
- Kathy McMinn, University of MS Desoto (May)
- Mary Ann Crocker, Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience (April)
- Shanna Barrett, Institute of Child Nutrition (March)
- Michael Lewis, Facilities Management (February)
- Meme Mullins, Human Resources (January)