LSA Technology Services staff received two awards at the annual LSA Staff Appreciation Awards in May. Alyssa Tyrrell, Customer Service Representative, won the Dean’s Office Rising Star Award, while a group of LSA Technology Services’ staff (along with the Department of Physics and DEI staff) received the Outstanding Staff Team Award for their work on the Saturday Morning Physics live talk with astronaut Josh Cassada from space.
Alyssa Tyrrell is a member of LSA Technology Services’ Support Services team. She coordinates audio/visual (AV) support for classroom events, along with working with student organizations who would like to reserve LSA classrooms.
In this position, Tyrrell works with many people across the college beyond LSA Technology Services, such as the Registrar’s Office, LSA Facilities, and Conference & Event Services. Tyrrell’s nomination from Jean Arnold, Media Services Manager, highlighted how her insight and understanding of the needs of these different stakeholders has allowed her to undergo process improvements.
Arnold also emphasized Tyrrell’s excellent customer service and how she is “exceedingly patient and kind with all, and is a frequent advocate for the customer point of view.” Tyrrell herself stated, “I am so honored to have received the Rising Star Award for the LSA Dean's Office. I'm so happy to be among all the other stars that make up LSA Technology Services.”
In addition, members of LSA Technology Services received the Outstanding Staff Team Award:
Jesse Miller, Media Consultant Lead
John (Jan) Stewart, Manager, Emerging Technologies and BlueCorps
Karl Aldag, Engineering & Design Manager
Sanam Aldag, Manager of Technology Library
Jean Arnold, Manager, Sight and Sound Operations
Todd Austin, Instructional Technologist, Videoconferencing Lead
Christopher Elly, Senior Project Engineer
Bob Pelcher, Data Security Analyst Senior
Kevin Mulrooney, AV Tech
Moni Dressler, Director, Academic Technologies Services
This group, along with members of the Physics and LSA DEI office, were recognized for successfully planning and executing a Q&A event with NASA astronaut Josh Cassada from the space station. This event had to be prepared for in just two months, as the date was selected based on where the Space Station was in orbit over the earth.
LSA Technology Services staff completed a lot of testing with NASA prior to the event to ensure clear communication between LSA’s AV equipment, the Johnson Space Center, NASA TV, and the Space Station. The event was held in the Central Campus Classroom Building auditorium, and the AV system was also modified to meet the needs of NASA’s communications. In addition, LSA Technology Services staff also provided day-of support such as operating the call with NASA and managing the lighting transitions.
During the awards, Jesse Miller shared, “It was an amazing event that exemplifies what happens when people from different backgrounds and disciplines get together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation, which is really what I think LSA is all about.”
