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Ellis recognized with Schultheis Award for Outstanding Staff

News Categories: Anthropology | Faculty and Staff | Museum Studies

Becky Ellis (right) with Elizabeth Kryder-ReidRebecca Ellis, senior administrative secretary in the Museum Studies Program, was awarded the Don Schultheis Award for Outstanding Staff Members for her service to both the Museum Studies Program and the Anthropology Department. Ellis has played a pivotal role in both administrative offices since her arrival in January 2008.

"We should have known then what a remarkable impact she would have when, starting on the first day of the director’s year-long sabbatical in a brand new position, she created order out of chaos," says Elizabeth Kryder-Reid, director of the Museum Studies program and associate professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies. "Working largely independently, she developed a document management system for our electronic and hard copy files, developed processes for graduate admissions, became a critical central resource for students and faculty alike, and tremendously increased the capacity of our program."

During 2010-11 school year, Ellis played a major role in stabilizing the departments when the Anthropology Department head administrative secretary became ill. She helped faculty to meet their ongoing teaching, travel, mailing, and accounting needs; she also voluntarily took on supplemental tasks such as organizing graduate applications and sorting hiring paperwork. Ellis was also instrumental in planning an international conference and preparing the department for an external review process. She has also created a regular electronic newsletter that has been instrumental in the program’s communication and marketing.

"I have been chair of the Department of Anthropology since Becky began her position as the Museum Studies secretary, and I have worked closely with her in the past four years," says Professor Paul Mullins. "Becky has exceptional organizational skills and is reliable, thoughtful, and creative addressing challenges. She knows IUPUI and Indianapolis quite well, so she is a wonderful ambassador for the School of Liberal Arts to the many students, prospective students, potential faculty, and current faculty and staff who pass through the doors of Anthropology and Museum Studies."

Ellis received the award in July at the Liberal Arts staff retreat. The Award is named in honor of Don Schultheis, the School of Liberal Arts first fiscal officer.

Becky Ellis (right) with Elizabeth Kryder-Reid.

     

Published on: September 20, 2012