Six recipients embody 'dedication, professionalism and commitment to service'
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri Board of Curators recognized six staff members from across the UM System as the inaugural recipients of the Curators’ Outstanding Staff Awards.
"Today, we congratulate six staff members who exemplify the dedication, professionalism and commitment to service that make the University of Missouri thrive," Board Chair Todd Graves said. "Their impact is felt every day in our classrooms, clinics, offices and communities by countless people across our state."
This new award will be given to up to six staff members annually: three from the University of Missouri-Columbia (including MU Health Care and the UM System) and one each from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Recipients were nominated by their campus leaders and approved by the Board of Curators. In recognition of their achievements, each award recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a certificate presented during a Board of Curators meeting on their home campus.
The 2026 recipients of the Curators' Outstanding Staff Award are:
Johanna Comes, UMKC, family nurse practitioner, Roo Wellness Health Services
One nominator said: "Throughout her tenure, she has consistently anticipated needs, identified risks and implemented solutions that support student success and institutional well-being. Her contributions — often carried out quietly and without recognition — have played a meaningful role in maintaining the health, safety and academic persistence of our student population."
Kimber Crull, Missouri S&T, strategic communications consultant, Marketing and Communications
One nominator said: "Her quality of work is high, yet she is open to feedback and always strives to improve. She is efficient and productive, carrying a large workload... She has worked relentlessly to help educate individuals and teams about the new standards and available resources. When she doesn’t know the answer to something, she will find out the answer or the appropriate expert on campus and connect them."
Tamara (Tami) Davenport, UMSL, community college relationship manager, Admissions
One nominator said: "She's forged strong connections between academic units here at UMSL, took the lead on formulating transfer guides and articulation agreements, and met with transfer students to discuss their pathways at UMSL. Everything Tami does has the student at the center."
Jeff Liptak, Mizzou, craft service maintenance associate senior, Energy Management
One nominator said: "Jeff has a vast knowledge of [the] power plant... gained from over 28 years working in every section of the plant... but he doesn't keep this information to himself. Jeff is constantly working with not only control technicians but all plant staff to share his knowledge and help educate others with the information he has learned about the plant through the years."
Ashley Mitchell, Mizzou, associate director of student support services, Admissions
One nominator said: "Her job performance is extraordinary and mission-critical. Her work directly influences enrollment outcomes, the lifeblood of this institution, through recruitment events, communications, budgeting and operational execution. Her contributions have led to measurable increases in applications and admissions success, while ensuring that every student touchpoint reflects the university's standards of excellence."
Amanda Simpson, MU Health Care, care team associate – clinical, Surgical Intensive Care
One nominator said: "Amanda delivers care through a deeply human-centered approach. Regardless of a patient’s background or the circumstances that brought them to the hospital, Amanda sees the person first — someone who deserves compassion, dignity and exceptional care. She consistently meets patients where they are and responds to their needs with empathy and understanding."