Influencing the Longhorn Life Staff Newsletter
Published: May 7, 2025
Jen Barnoud (University Health Services) led a nutrition workshop for the Wellness Committee at the UT School of Nursing for faculty, staff and students.
Jess Cybulski (Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs), Mia Drago (Health and Well-being Portfolio) and Karissa Ryan (Health and Well-being Portfolio) finished in the top 10 for faculty and staff women at the Longhorn Run 5K.
Amy Graf (University Health Services), Toby LeBlanc (Counseling and Mental Health Center) and Katy Redd (Longhorn Wellness Center) served as panelists during Hooked on Healthyhorns Week hosted by the Student Health Advisory Committee. The “Meet Healthyhorns” panel featured a discussion on college health, campus services and personal experiences working in student health and wellness.
Jessica Hughes Wagner (Health and Well-being Portfolio) and Katy Redd (Longhorn Wellness Center) presented an overview of Healthyhorns and the Longhorn Wellness Center to the UT Public Health Coalition.
Joffrey Niessen (Office of the Dean of Students) and Hannah Zurko (Disability and Access/Disability Cultural Center) participated in the Center for Teaching and Learning’s Student Engagement Speed Chats.
Marc Pereira and Aimée Wilkerson (Office of the Dean of Students) and 15 student teams received the Outstanding Community-University Partnership for Project Advance Austin at the Tower Awards. During the academic year, 74 student participants managed high-impact service projects for 15 local non-profits.
The Disability Inclusion Agency of Student Government invited Maurice Renfro (Disability and Access) and Emily Shryock (Disability Cultural Center) to lead two professor roundtable discussions with faculty from the Government and Neuroscience departments.
Kelly Salomon (Recreational Sports) was a featured panelist in “Leveling the Playing Field: Women in Officiating” presented by the NIRSA Championship Series. This discussion highlighted the challenges, triumphs and unique experiences of women in officiating.
Kayleigh Spaulding (Longhorn Wellness Center) was recognized by Interim Provost David Vanden Bout at the Spring 2025 staff graduate ceremony for earning her M.Ed. in Health Behavior and Health Education. A UT Austin alumna, Spaulding began with the Longhorn Wellness Center as a student and became full-time staff in 2021.
The Healthyhorns team won the 2025 Student Affairs Softball Championship for the second year in a row.
A group of 17 RecSports staff will attend the 2025 SEC Recreation Summit later this month. Several staff members will present including Randall Ford, Cecilia Lopez Cardenas, Adrienne Mackenzie, Jennifer Speer, Kari Terry and Joe Wise. Speer is also serving on the planning committee.
President’s Staff Awards
Interim President Jim Davis recognized Bridget Jones (Recreational Sports), Valeria Martin (Office of the Dean of Students) and Katharine Sucher (Longhorn TIES) with Outstanding Staff Awards. Read more about their accomplishments.
Interim President Davis also presented Steve Kraal, a campus planning and facilities management leader who began his career in student affairs, with the Arno Notowny Medal. Learn why Kraal is receiving the highest honor for a retired Division of Student Affairs staff member.
Staff Service Awards
The University’s awards ceremony also celebrated our 24 staff members receiving Staff Service Awards for their combined 435 years of service. Congratulate your colleagues below on their dedication to the University!
Counseling and Mental Health Center and University Health Services
- Michelle Rivera, 25 years
- Dave Laczko, 20 years
- Benjamin Lara, 20 years
- Robin Merket, 20 years
- Vicki Solis, 20 years
- Toby LeBlanc, 15 years
- Patrick List, 15 years
- Stephen Blair, 10 years
- Tamela Fraga, 10 years
- Emily Gonzales, 10 years
- Joey Hannah, 10 years
- Corey Mladenka, 10 years
- Kory Schruben, 10 years
- David Vander Straten, 10 years
Office of the Dean of Students
- Amory Krueger, 15 years
- Ricardo Garza, 10 years
- Marcus Mayes, 10 years
Recreational Sports
- Darci Doll, 30 years
- Travis Hilterbran, 25 years
University Unions
- Sabrina Owens, 35 years
- James Buckley, 10 years
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
- Thomas Dison, 50 years
- Anne Steele, 25 years
- Nilka Campos, 20 years