Dr. Lisa P. Collins Outstanding Staff Awards
Dr. Lisa P. Collins Outstanding Staff Awards
Annually, the Dr. Lisa P. Collins Outstanding Staff Awards program recognizes seven high achievers out of more than 2,000 employees. Nominations are reviewed by a committee of college peers and honored at the annual Staff Appreciation Day. Winners receive a plaque and monetary award.
People in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment often say “we are different” because we are. M-G CAFE has offices and personnel in all 120 Kentucky counties, research and extension stations across the state, the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Regulatory Services, and an Arboretum; the list is extensive. The staff of these units, whether on the Lexington campus or in Leslie County, are the heartbeat of the college. There is not one M-G CAFE employee who has not gone above and beyond in service, innovation, and dedication. The Dr. Lisa P. Collins Outstanding Staff Awards are one way for the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to say “thank you” to all staff employees.
In 1997 when the program was initiated, support came from Gamma Sigma Delta, the international agriculture honor society that became inactive at UK a few years ago, as well as the college’s alumni association and the Dean’s Office through the Partners in Agriculture fund. In 2018, a revised endowment agreement called the Gamma Sigma Delta Gold Fund was finalized in order to support the OSA program in perpetuity. The awards were renamed for Dr. Lisa P. Collins in 2020 to recognize her outstanding service and advocacy on behalf of the staff of the college.
2025 Nominees
Executive/Administrative/Managerial
Julie Beale, Plant Pathology
Kelley Beverley, Agricultural Economics
Savannah L. Columbia, Ag Economics
Jessi Giles, Veterinary Science
Amber Gray-Kurz, Retailing and Tourism Management
Mary Hammons, M-G CAFE Business Center
Janet Lensing, Entomology
Ashley Marcum, 4-H Central Operations
Ruth McNees, KTRDC | Kentucky Tobacco Research & Development Center
Kevin Pettigrew, Feltner Memorial 4-H Camp
Kirsten Scoggin, Veterinary Science
Alexis Sheffield, Horticulture
Jordan Strickler, Marketing and Agricultural Communications
Susanna Vance, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Tina Ward, Extension Business Operations
Office and Clerical
Jessica Alkenbrack, Entomology
Shawna Banks, Animal Food and Sciences
Kimberly England, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Christina Harrison, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Rhonda Owsley, Cooperative Extension Regional Office
Lorri Ransom, Veterinary Science
Office and Clerical - County Extension Offices
Megan Blevins, Estill Co Extension
Tracy Blevins, Estill Co Extension
Kimberly Campbell, Magoffin Co Extension
Mary Cannon, Kenton Co Extension
Kaitlyn Collins, Cumberland Co Extension
Melinda Cross, Clinton Co Extension
Kristan Groves, Muhlenberg Co Extension
Cindy List, Fleming Co Extension
Carolyn Morris, Taylor Co Extension
Tina Noe, Whitney Co Extension
Sarah Wright, Shelby Co Extension
Service/Maintenance/Skilled Crafts and Farm Management
Jarrod Abner, Robinson Center
James Hall, KY Tobacco Research & Dev Ctr
Rebecca Rhodus, Facilities
Technical and Paraprofessional
Eric Chapman, Entomology
David Collett, Forestry and Natural Resources
Sarah Colvin, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Richelle Davis, Boone Co Extension
Robin Davis, Laurel Co Extension
LaDonna Dawes, Estill Co Extension
Skye Drane, Shelby Co Extension
Margie Hernandez, Family & Consumer Sciences
Ami Koralia, 4-H Central Operations
Winston Lin, Animal and Food Science
Michelle Padgett, Lincoln Co Extension
Baird Rice, Boyle Co Extension
Shawn Simpson, Plant and Soil Science
Diana Wilson, Lewis Co Extension
Neil Wilson, Horticulture
