The University Operations leadership team recently recognized both Lacey Rohe and Becky Zavala with the 2023 Partner of the Year award.

The award recognizes a person or group that has demonstrated exceptional support for or collaboration with University Operations. It is an opportunity for the University Operations team to express gratitude to those individuals or units that help create a high-quality, sustainable and innovative campus experience. The 2023 awards were presented by Jim Jackson, associate vice chancellor for university operations.

Rohe, associate vice chancellor and controller for the Office of Business and Finance, was recognized for her work with University Operations during a time of “unprecedented disruption and uncertainty.”

“Her leadership enabled University Operations to not only effectively steward our campus’s resources through a pandemic but reach new levels of achievement and positive impact on campus,” the award letter said.

The award credited Rohe for building positive relationships and a collaborative environment while striving for fiscal sustainability.

“Lacey has set the standard of how departments operate and communicate with each other to ensure fiscal health within operational commitments. Always positive and approachable, she ensured effective and responsive solutions within every interaction,” the letter said.

Zavala, assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Research and Development, was recognized for her work on the COVID Task Force, collaboration with University Operations, and establishing a permanent liaison to her staff to work with University Operations.

“Becky has truly integrated organizations and efforts by establishing a permanent Research Building Systems Technician from University Operations within her own staff to liaison all operational efforts,” the award letter stated. “The establishment of a permanent position within her research staff truly integrated research project support, expedited inspections, and provided renovation oversight. Maintaining established relationships between both organizations ensures the upward trajectory of University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s research project support.”

Zavala also was integral to the involvement of University Operations in establishing on-campus COVID testing.

“Research established the complete organization of information, COVID testing stations, inventory of COVID support items, and distribution of testing results,” the award letter said. “Her ability to acquire necessary funding and support for testing was paramount to the successful support to both City and East Campuses, students, and staff.”

University Operations’ leadership team consists of Jackson, Chris Walsh, Gabe Hampton, Brenda Osthus, Patrick Barrett, Jeff Culbertson, Dan Carpenter, John Yerger, Clay Kelly, Morgan Winfrey, Nate Benes, Estelle DeJonge and Morgan Hartman.