Nominate for 2025 EEO Category Awards
The nominations is now live for the 2025 EEO Category Awards! To nominate, click the form link below. Nominations are due Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 5 p.m.
For a paper version of the form, download the PDF nomination form.
About
The EEO Category Awards were created to recognize the outstanding staff members from EEO categories 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. EEO Category winners will receive a monetary award and plaque, which will be presented at the Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony.
Eligibility
Nominees must be active, permanent, full-time employees of the University of Mississippi and must have been employed by the University for at least one (1) year of continuous service in a classified EEO category 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Nominations should be for an individual who has consistently gone above and beyond in their service to the University.
The nominator must be an active, permanent, full-time employee of the University serving in a classified EEO category 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. The nominator and nominee are not required to be in the same EEO category. The nominator may only nominate one person per year for this award.
EEO Categories
EEO 1 – Executive
EEO 3 – Professional
EEO 4 – Clerical and Secretarial
EEO 5 – Technical and Paraprofessional
EEO 6 – Skilled Crafts
EEO 7 – Service Maintenance
Selection Process
Winners will be chosen based solely on the information provided in this nomination form, so it is recommended that the nominator obtain as much information as needed from the nominee when completing the following questions.
For any questions about the EEO award, please contact the Committee Chair, Deetra Wiley – dawiley@olemiss.edu.
Previous EEO Category Award Winners
2025 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Toni Avant, Career Center
EEO 3: Lauran Ellis, The Inn at Ole Miss
EEO 4: Kristina “Kristi” Boggan, University Band
EEO 5: Stewart Kevin Bain, University Marketing and Communications
EEO 6: James Curtis Moody, Plumbing Shop
EEO 7: Thomas Dickerson, Landscape Services
2024 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Alex Langhart, University Health Services
EEO 3: Rob Jolly, Office of Contracts Management
EEO 4: Krystal Hudson, Facilities Management
EEO 5: Lance Sullivan, Department of Biology
EEO 6: Sammy McEwen, Facilities Management
EEO 7: Nathan Lazinsky, Landscape Services
2023 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Paul Joseph Caffera – Ombudsman, University Ombuds
EEO 3: Melissa Rodriguez King – Program Manager, School of Pharmacy
EEO 4: Virginia “Ginger” Harrell – Executive Assistant, Office of the Provost
EEO 5: Brandi Corbin – Stockroom Coordinator, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
EEO 6: Allen Macon Steele – Maintenance Technician, Facilities Management
EEO 7: Anna McKnight – Supervisor, Wastewater Treatment Plant
2022 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Patrick Perry
EEO 3: Emily Ferris
EEO 4: Stephanie Brown
EEO 5: Penni Bolton
EEO 6: James Moody
EEO 7: Patricia Russell
2021 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Blair McElroy
EEO 3: Penny Rice
EEO 4: Monika Rudd
EEO 5: Hope Herren
EEO 6: Charles “Bo” Thompson
EEO 7: Rod Wilson
2020 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Donna Strum
EEO 3: Je’Lisa Hairston McGee
EEO 4: Ebony C. McEwen
EEO 5: Vietta Booker
EEO 6: Steve Shaw
EEO 7: Tressie J. Johnson
2019 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Katrina Caldwell
EEO 3: Alicia Goodson
EEO 4: Lila Neely
EEO 5: Dennis Bullard
EEO 6: James Calvin Malone
EEO 7: Desser Smith
2018 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Laura Diven-Brown
EEO 3: Joseph Baumbaugh
EEO 4: Kathy McCluskey
EEO 5: Lynn Reece
EEO 6: Hunter Snow
EEO 7: Michael Lewis
2017 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Tony Ammeter
EEO 3: Deetra Wiley
EEO 4: Susan Foust
EEO 5: Amanda Blair
EEO 6: Terrance Brown
EEO 7: Sandra K. Buford
2016 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Jeff McManus
EEO 3: Jennifer Phillips
EEO 4: Kimberly Barnes
EEO 5: Jason T. Mangrum
EEO 6: Jonathan Joe “J.J.” Potts
EEO 7: Shelia Ann Lewis
2015 EEO Category Winners
EEO 1: Linda Chitwood
EEO 3: Premalatha Balachandran
EEO 4: Steven Ridout
EEO 5: Jeffrey Hannah
EEO 6: Willard Frazier
EEO 7: Jerry Harden