Please join the ASC Recognition Committee in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.
Nicolas Castro – Transport/CDL Driver – Facilities Planning & Management Staff
Nominated by Sydni Jennings & Michael Nelson
“Nicolas Castro embodies Drake’s values of All in this Together and Joyful Accountability through his role in managing all hauling and moving requests on campus. Despite juggling multiple urgent tasks and last-minute requests, he consistently completes what would typically require an entire moving crew, all while maintaining a cheerful attitude and effective communication. Nic’s flexibility and team spirit, especially during recent office shuffles, make him an invaluable asset to the FPM team and the entire campus, positively impacting everyone he encounters. His dedication and approachability make him truly deserving of this award.”
Joe Quiles-Ortiz, Karl Kaiser, Francisco Sierra, Lilli Santiago, Octavio Alvarado Alvidrez – Facilities Planning & Management Staff
Nominated by Nate Reagen
“Joe, Karl, Francisco, Octavio, & Lilli, exemplified striving each day to be their best. Their paint job in Levitt Hall was above and beyond and the team took such care to make sure the job was done professionally and thoroughly. They each took the time to meticulously ensure the walls and trim were restored back to a ‘new’ condition. This included dealing with project challenges along the way. Their work is a gift to all the students, families, alumni, donors, board members, community members, faculty, and staff that will use that room for years to come! Thank you, team!”
Betsy Wilson – Coordinator of Field Placement – School of Education
Nominated by Amber Welsh
“Betsy exemplifies “Joyful Accountability” by embracing both successes and setbacks with positivity, turning challenges into team-building opportunities. Her “Generosity of Spirit” shines through as she consistently offers support to colleagues and students during busy times, creating a collaborative environment. Betsy fosters unity within the SOE by promoting open communication and collaboration, particularly during critical processes like graduation reviews. She also demonstrates “Commitment to Mission” by nurturing relationships with partner schools, delivering tokens of appreciation to strengthen connections. Overall, Betsy’s kindness and optimism make her an invaluable presence in both professional and personal realms.”
Austin Higgins – Mail Office Manager – Campus Mail Operations
Nominated by Lisa Cooper
“Austin demonstrates all of the qualities to be “Called to be True Blue”. He is responsive, considerate, reliable, and goes above and beyond to assist with any and all mail operations and questions, but also he helps people who may have had their mail inadvertently delivered to Drake to ensure they also have a positive impression of Drake because of his cheerful disposition and helpfulness. He is an asset to Drake University.”
Kara Wendlin-Carnahan – Manager, Online Student Services & Suzanne Wisslead – CRM Specialist – Drake Online
Nominated by Dianna Gray
“The Drake Online & Continuing Education Team, particularly Kara Wendelin-Carnahan and Suzanne Wisslead, exemplifies all four of Drake’s Core Values. They demonstrate Joyful Accountability by continuously seeking process improvements and always greeting each other with positivity. Their Generosity of Spirit shines through in their collaborative brainstorming sessions, where everyone’s expertise is valued. The team embodies All In This Together by maintaining open communication and stepping up to help each other, especially during busy times. Lastly, their Commitment to Mission is evident in their dedication to enhancing the student experience.”
Nicholas Kavanaugh – Director of Student Affairs – CPHS
Nominated by Sydni Jennings & Michael Nelson
“Nicholas Kavanaugh, CPHS Assistant Director of Student Affairs, plays a crucial role in the annual CPHS Student Orientation, helping pre-professional students transition smoothly into their programs. Since joining Drake in 2022, he has demonstrated exceptional creativity, particularly through initiatives like the Meals from the Heartland event, where he secured funding and managed logistics to package 20,000 meals for an international community. His efforts have garnered positive feedback and exemplify the spirit of the “Called to be True Blue” award, making him a deserving candidate for this recognition.”
Shelby Nelson – Office and External Relations Manager – CPHS
Nominated by Christine Urish
“Shelby is EVERYTHING to EVERYONE in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. We’ve experienced significant admin asst turn over in the college, but Shelby has always been there. She is pleasant, helpful and never upset about anything even if she has to fix things that she had no involvement with. She is the BEST of the college each and every day. She communicates in an effective and transparent manner, managing multiple responsibilities with ease. She serves our Dean and countless faculty and demonstrates commitment to mission in a consistent way. Certainly she does not shy away from difficult tasks or challenging issues. She is ready and willing to assist with a smile all the time. Certainly some will find fault and criticize, but she does not allow this to negatively impact her work, she moves forward, conducting the work of the college in the best way she can for all.”
Ashley Rasmussen – Budget Manager – College of Arts & Sciences
Nominated by Jill Allen
“Ashley shows up for all constituents – faculty, staff, and leaders. She is a true team player and brings knowledge, expertise, and creativity to every situation without any need for recognition. So grateful to have her as a colleague!”
Nikki Krabbe – Student Support Coordinator – Access & Success
Nominated by Laura Shell & Michelle Laughlin
“Nikki joined the Access & Success team at the start of classes and has quickly exemplified collaboration and commitment. With her K-12 teaching background, she brings valuable insights that honor past accomplishments while introducing innovative ideas for improvement. In just one month, her proactive attitude and teamwork have already led to meaningful procedural changes. Nikki embodies our values and inspires those around her, making her a deserving candidate for the True Blue award.”
Amy Nichols – Associate Director, Admission
Nominated by Kristy Hilchen
“Amy is an exceptional communicator to solve complex problems in the area processing student applications and records; as a team leader she helps her colleagues to learn new ways of researching and solving technical issues within Slate processing. She helps us to collaborate to use technology tools and work together as a team to streamline processes in our area. she also helps us to use our resources effectively to recruit exceptional student employees. And she is an open communicator in making sure we get the most out of our employee benefits and use our work schedules effectively to work as one unit. She is a great manager and colleague.”
Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!
—Amber Welsh, School of Education
