UW System Board of Regents: Announce University Staff Excellence Awards for 2021 | WisBusiness

MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents today announced the recipients of the inaugural University Staff Excellence Awards. 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, October 8.

The 2021 recipients include two individuals and one program: Monika Pynaker, Network Services Manager and Interim Manager of Client Services, Division of Information Technology, UW-Green Bay.

Pynaker has worked at UW-Green Bay’s Division of Information Technology for over 20 years. She is currently 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. Soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic required her 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.

Source: UW System Board of Regents: Announce University Staff Excellence Awards for 2021 | WisBusiness