Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith Honored with 2022 Staff Award for Excellence, Others Recognized for Exemplary Service

Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith is a Diversity & Inclusion Learning Development Specialist for UNCW’s HR department. PHOTO COURTESY: OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS/UNCW

For the third year, the UNCW Staff Award for Excellence ceremony was held virtually. The awards recognize members of the campus community who have excelled in their service to UNCW in the categories of customer service, efficiency and innovation, human relations, public service and spirit of North Carolina.

“Our nominees were recommended by their peers, and this recognition speaks volumes about their dedication to our students and to this university,” Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli said in a pre-recorded video.  
 
“Great people make a great university, and all of you are the best of the best,” he told the nominees. 
 
Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith, the inclusion and diversity learning development specialist in the Office of Human Resources, is this year’s recipient of the UNCW Staff Award for Excellence.  
 
“McLaughlin-Smith is regarded as the ‘people’s champion’ because of her humanitarianism, integrity and public service, which consistently displays our institutional values,” four of her human resources colleagues wrote in their nomination letter. “She is someone whose relentless contributions have not only elevated campus culture but have successfully increased our community outreach with campus partners.” 
 
In addition to McLaughlin-Smith, five nominees will be considered for the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on a state employee: 

• David Cook, Auxiliary Services 
• Kelly Kennedy & Diana Waser, Office of Human Resources 
• Sara Nimmo, Abrons Student Health Center  
• Dan Noonan, Information Technology Services 
• Travis Woods, Office of Facilities
  

 
Other 2022 Staff Award for Excellence nominees: 

• Danielle Aldrich 
• Crystal Chapman 
• Heddy Clark 
• Karen Doniere 
• Lisa Hunt 
• Ashlee Jensen 
• Andrew Kosch 
• Roberta LaSure 
• Natalie Lucero 
• Kara Mariotti 
• Scott Piner 
• Jennifer Royal 
• Susan Smith 
• Kelly Stephens 
• Deb Tew 
• Dr. Ashley Wells 

 
As the recipient of the Staff Award for Excellence, McLaughlin-Smith receives $1,500, a reserved parking space for a year, a framed certificate, a commemorative clock and her name will be placed on the Award for Excellence plaque in Alderman Hall. Each nominee receives a framed certificate and three days of additional vacation time. Nominees for the Governor’s Award of Excellence also receive a custom engraved gift. 
 
— Stacie Greene Hidek