This year’s recipient of the Graduate College Excellence Award for Contacts is Becky Barker in the School of Labor and Employment Relations.
The award is given annually to Graduate Program Contacts whose service has enhanced the experiences of graduate students and/or has had a positive impact on the operations of the graduate program or department.
“Graduate Contacts have an enormously important role. They are often the first point of contact for students with questions or concerns, and their knowledge of how things really work makes a huge difference in students' daily lives,” said Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate College. “What stands out to me about the graduate contacts I have known during my time at the university is how they know how to get things done.”
Barker has worked for LER for 26 years and is lovingly referred to by all as the “mom of LER.” Her approach to operating the graduate program is always student-centered and indeed, students have shared that they chose Illinois over other universities because Becky made them feel valued and genuinely wanted. One of her innovations was creating the Buddy System – pairing new students with returning students (and new international students with both an international and domestic buddy) to smooth the onboarding process and build community.
Barker is known for her dedication, accessibility, dependability, and trust. Her vast knowledge of university and community resources allow her to support students through whatever need may arise—whether it be academic, financial, or personal/wellbeing. One student wrote: “Whether it was a big moment or something small, Becky has always made me feel seen and supported, not just as a student, but as a person, and it has truly made all the difference in my doctoral career here at Illinois.”
Nominees recognized this year are:
Marci Blocher (Mathematics) - “Graduate school is already hard enough with the daunting problems we tackle during our degree. Marci helps alleviate the stresses of all this by being warm and direct with her wealth of knowledge.”
Julie Jenkins (Health and Kinesiology) - “She knows our students by name, understands their goals, and celebrates their achievements. Julie’s office is a place where students feel heard, supported, and empowered.”
Dr. Ann Christine Jones (Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering) - “She consistently anticipates student needs, solves unique problems with compassion, and fosters a department culture where students feel valued and supported.”
Alicia Klees (Climate, Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences) - “Her impact extends far beyond any single student, as she has created an environment where diverse learners can thrive and where academic growth directly translates into professional achievement.”
Connie Knight (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering ) - “To put it bluntly, the graduate program wouldn’t run without Connie” and “her intentionality with and compassion for me, along with my peers, has been key to our success.”
Amy Lamb (Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering) - “Whether it’s addressing thousands of inquiries during admissions season, guiding students through complex university policies, or creating innovative ways to enhance the student experience, Amy consistently goes above and beyond to support her students.”
Kara MacGregor (Siebel School of Computing and Data Science) - “She showed an extraordinary level of dedication, expertise and care for graduate students, serving not only as a resource to answer questions about policies, but as an advocate for students’ wellbeing.”
Michelle Malloch (Communication) - “There is a reason why when we survey our graduate students that Michelle is the part of the department that students consistently rate the highest (even above their own advisors). She thinks a lot about doing the best we can for our graduate students, and they see what a difference her creative efforts make.”
Karen Nichols (Pathobiology) - “Karen is the structural support of our student body. She sees the potential in all students; she brings us all together, offers us the foundation to thrive, and supports us every step of the way.”
Diane Tsevelekos (Microbiology) - “She has an incredible way of making students feel supported and valued, often going above and beyond to ensure our well-being. Diane’s kindness, empathy, and commitment to our success create a sense of home within the department.”
“It is absolutely clear that everyone one of these nominees go above and beyond,” said Chodzko-Zajko. “Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees.”
See more information about the Graduate College Excellence Award for Contacts and past winners.