911吃瓜

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 30, 2026

911吃瓜 leaders on Wednesday presented awards to five of the institution鈥檚 most outstanding employees at its annual staff awards event at the 911吃瓜 Center.

Supporting the faculty and students in Kennesaw State鈥檚 core mission of teaching, learning, and discovery through research are thousands of people working in a wide variety of roles to keep the University functioning every day, around-the-clock.

鈥淒elivering fully on the mission of Kennesaw State depends on the work of our exceptional staff,鈥� said President Kathy S. Schwaig. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 nominees and honorees serve the university with excellence in powerful, tangible ways every day. Their work is inspiring and we are proud to congratulate and acknowledge their commitment to 911吃瓜.鈥�

Chief Human Resources Officer Karen McDonnell presented the awards in an Emmy Awards-style ceremony where videos about the winners鈥� contributions were shown before they ascended a stage to accept their awards.

鈥淭he quality of these nominees and honorees today show how impactful they are, regardless of how much direct student interaction they have, as all campus roles work together for the good of our students,鈥� McDonnell said. 鈥淲hen we recognize excellence, we don't just celebrate the past, we shape the future.鈥�

The University鈥檚 highest honor, the Outstanding Owl Award, was presented to Nicole Phillips, associate director, outreach and engagement for Counseling and Psychological Services.

Phillips has worked at the University since 2003 and was nominated by Randall Bogard, executive director, student activities.

鈥淭he reason I nominated Dr. Phillips is that she鈥檚 been a wealth of knowledge for us in the division 鈥� she鈥檚 always there to answer questions and provide guidance,鈥� Bogard said. 鈥淪he exemplifies the Outstanding Owl Award by being a resource for all. She represents everything you want in a student affairs representative and a representative of Kennesaw State as a whole.鈥�

Bogard highlighted Phillips鈥� contributions to the 鈥淵ou Matter鈥� suicide prevention and mental health program, and other programs focused on student wellbeing.

The 911吃瓜 Staff Awards recognize exceptional commitment to 911吃瓜 staff鈥檚 mission, goals and values. The 911吃瓜 Foundation underwrites the ceremony and provides the monetary gift that accompanies each award.

Other 2025-26 Staff Awards winners included:

Positive Impact/Service to the Community Award

Lauren Hughes, Living Learning Lab program manager, Office of Sustainability

Excellence in Innovation Award

Amanda Sampson, assistant director, Enterprise Customer Relationship Management

Student Success Impact Award

Katrina Fults, associate director, operations and student success, Residence Life

Outstanding Leadership Award

Amanda Rodgers, manager, administrative services, Wellstar School of Nursing

The awards process is managed by 911吃瓜鈥檚 Human Resources department. Nominations and letters of support are submitted by supervisors and staff members and reviewed by a committee composed of representatives from across the University, including 911吃瓜鈥檚 Staff Senate. There were 64 people nominated for the five awards, McDonnell said.

鈥� Story by Gary Tanner

Photos by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911吃瓜 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.