Monika Pynaker receives Regents’ University Staff Excellence Award
Announced on Monday, Oct. 3, 2021, UW-Green Bay’s Monika Pynaker received the Regents’ University Staff Excellence Award for 2021.
Pynaker has worked at UW-Green Bay’s Division of Information Technology for over 20 years. She is responsible for ensuring the University’s computer network runs smoothly without interruption. In summer 2019, her leadership and vision enabled the University to integrate three additional campus locations’ computing and network systems when UW-Green Bay merged with the former UW-Manitowoc, UW-Marinette, and UW-Sheboygan campuses. Just recently, she took on new responsibilities in the department as Director of Technology Support Services with oversight of networking, systems, endpoints, AV/classrooms and the service desk.
Monika Pynaker
The COVID-19 pandemic required Pynaker’s team to transition a network built primarily for in-house teaching and learning to one that could support virtual instruction, telecommuting, and conferencing, all in one week’s time. Pynaker has formed critical partnerships with outside agencies, such as Brown County Infrastructure Services, which enabled coordination of wired and wireless connectivity and other services for the Brown County STEM Innovation Center constructed on campus. She has been elected or appointed to numerous committees, including the University Staff Committee, Professional Development Committee, and University Planning and Innovation Council.
These awards recognize exceptional service to the university and are the UW System’s highest recognition bestowed on members of its university staff. The 2021 recipients will be honored at the next Regents meeting, Oct. 8.
The awards join a family of awards that the Regents sponsor, including the Regents Teaching Excellence Awards, the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Awards, and the Regents Diversity Awards.
“The Board of Regents is proud to recognize the first recipients of the University Staff Excellence Awards,” said Regent Michael M. Grebe, chair of the selection committee. “Their outstanding work helps to strengthen not only our UW campuses but also the communities in which they serve, and we are pleased to shine a spotlight on their contributions to fulfilling the UW System mission.”
Award recipients are selected for superior performance resulting in significant contributions to the department and university; use of positive personal interaction to manage work changes; and a consistently innovative approach that improves productivity and work quality. Each recipient is awarded $7,500 to support professional development or program enhancements.
