Julie Kopfer Memorial Staff Member of the Year Award

Consideration for this award is given to those staff who, in the past year, went above and beyond their required position duties to positively impact members of the school. Nominations may be submitted from the school’s faculty, staff and students.

This award is named in memory of Julie Kopfer, a treasured colleague and friend who always exemplified the highest levels of dedication and teamwork.

Recipients of this award will receive a stipend to support funding for professional development.

• Administrative, research and professional staff are eligible. Previous winners are eligible for non-consecutive years. Faculty members and students are ineligible.
• Nominees must have completed a minimum of one (1) year of service to UB SPPS.
• The nomination should include specific example(s) of why the nominee deserves recognition for accomplishments during the current year. These examples could include:
  • Impact on the school
  • Professionalism and attitude
  • Efficiency/effectiveness of their work
  • Initiation of ideas
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Committee involvement
  • Other professional recognitions

Julie Kopfer Memorial Staff Member of the Year Award

• 2026: Tyler Bingham
• 2025: Vicki Rink
• 2024: Jean Costanzo
• 2023: Nicole Pizzutelli
• 2022: Rebecca Brierley
• 2021: Jaime Maerten-Rivera
• 2020: Julie Kopfer (posthumous)

Staff Member of the Year (before the award was renamed)

• 2019: Pamela Coniglio
• 2018: Kara Sweet
• 2017: Donna Ruszaj
• 2016: Kelly Sustakoski; Sara Robinson
• 2015: Carol Fritsch
• 2014: Kelly Tooley
• 2013: Michele Bewley; Kelly Sustakoski
• 2012: Christine Stumm
• 2011: Jonathan Navratil
• 2010: Jill Hochreiter; Sara Renzi; Liz Rugg
• 2009: Patricia Burch; Juliet Warrick
• 2008: Jennifer Rosenberg; Kris Jordan