Staff members from the School of Nursing, School of Public Health, and the Museum of Paleontology in LSA have been named recipients of the 2025-26 Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence, given in recognition of workplace excellence, generosity and compassion. 

This year, there were 170 nominees. The three selected honorees are:

Jenna Blumenauer, senior adviser for professional graduate studies, Office of Professional Graduate Programs, School of Nursing

Phoebe Kulik, senior director, workforce development in the Department of Epidemiology and the dean’s office, School of Public Health

Adam Rountrey, research museum collection manager, Museum of Paleontology, LSA

“Jenna, Phoebe, and Adam each represent what Candace Johnson herself embodied: a deep commitment to the people around them and a willingness to go further than the job requires,” said Provost Laurie McCauley. 

“When you read what their colleagues wrote about them, a clear theme comes through. These are people who make others feel supported and seen, whether that’s a nursing student navigating a difficult semester, a community partner in crisis, or a fellow researcher trying something new. That kind of care shapes a workplace in ways that outlast any single project or initiative, and it deserves to be recognized.” 

Each honoree will receive $1,500 and a plaque from the Office of the Provost, presented at a private reception later this semester.

The award, established in 2004 in memory of Johnson, a dedicated, longtime staff member in the Office of the Provost, honors exceptional staffers who perform their duties with diligence, inspire those around them, foster a nurturing and collaborative work environment, and approach others with respect and kindness.

The Office of the Provost presents the award annually with support from Johnson’s family members and friends.

Jenna Blumenauer

In a nomination letter, Blumenauer’s colleagues wrote that her impact reaches beyond traditional advising and that she is exceptionally dedicated to her students. Blumenauer, they said, pairs her mastery of regulatory requirements with individualized academic planning to ensure each student receives customized counsel.

Lisa Kane Low, senior associate dean for professional graduate studies and professional relations, and Rushika Patel, assistant dean for strategic education, pointed to Blumenauer’s creation of Science and Writing Learning Circles for peer support as an example of “Jenna’s ability to translate student needs into lasting, structural solutions.” 

Low and Patel also highlighted Blumenauer’s graduate student peer mentorship program, which they said “has transformed the student experience, fostering a vibrant, resilient, and interconnected community of emerging nurse leaders.”

Blumenauer is described as often extending herself beyond her formal duties, covering for colleagues, supporting evening and weekend events, responding promptly to student inquiries, and following up with students facing illness or family challenges.

“What most distinguishes Jenna is her boundless compassion,” wrote Low and Patel. “She serves as an anchor for students from diverse backgrounds and at every stage of their academic journeys, guiding them with empathy and respect, and ensuring every individual feels valued and heard.”

In difficult moments, “Jenna’s door is always open,” her colleagues wrote. Blumenauer’s efforts, they say, have set a new benchmark for advising excellence and strengthened a culture of support across the School of Nursing.

Phoebe Kulik

Kulik is described by colleagues as a steady, prepared leader. In a nomination letter submitted by Laura Power, director, public health practice, and Kulik’s supervisor at the School of Public Health, Kulik is praised for her “people-centered approach,” a “steady commitment,” and “ingenious strategic planning abilities” during what Power calls an “extremely challenging” year for public health and academia.

Power also wrote that Kulik oversaw major workforce-development efforts, including a regional Public Health Training Center spanning six states, and that her leadership “has been unwavering” over her years of service.

Colleagues pointed to behind-the-scenes wins recently spearheaded by Kulik, including leading a highly competitive 2021 grant renewal that required negotiating 13 subcontracts across six states; shaping a national “Learning Agenda for Systems Change Toolkit 2.0”; and drafting numerous contingency budgets when federal funding was uncertain.

Her team also praised the way she treats colleagues, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

“She really went above and beyond to make sure we all felt heard, cared for, and supported,” wrote Ryleigh Emelander, a marketing and communications coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health.

Kulik’s longtime colleague, Dana Thomas, director of the Adolescent Health Initiative within Community Health Services at Michigan Medicine, wrote in a nominating letter that, “One partner from Flint recently described Phoebe as a ‘godsend’ during the Flint water crisis. Amidst widespread uncertainty and public scrutiny, she demonstrated exceptional poise and empathy, listening carefully to the needs of the health department and the community.”

“This episode underscores what I believe to be her most distinguishing quality: the ability to calmly listen, evaluate, and guide stakeholders through even the most challenging situations.”

Adam Rountrey

Rountrey has shown “unwavering dedication,” an “innovative spirit,” and “genuine care for others” over his more than two decades at the university, wrote Jennifer E. Bauer, research museum collection manager in the Museum of Paleontology, in a nomination letter.

Bauer and other colleagues said Rountrey’s work has helped standardize 3D data curation and elevate best practices internationally, including a collaborative effort that produced the book “3D Data Creation to Curation: Community Standards for 3D Data Preservation.”

They also credited Rountrey with building cross-campus communities like the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums–Information Technology, or GLAM-IT,  which he founded and leads as a quarterly forum for troubleshooting, collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning.

Peers pointed to Rountrey’s signature achievement in the U-M Online Repository of Fossils, or UMORF, which he created to make research-grade digital fossil collections more accessible. The custom 3D viewing tool runs in web browsers and allows users to rotate, explore and measure fossil specimens, all while reducing risk to fragile originals.

Rountrey is also described as generous with his time and skills. Colleagues described the work he did with a graduate student studying dinosaur bite mechanics.

“Not only did Adam take the time to brainstorm research pathways with her, but he also worked side-by-side to build a working robot dinosaur jaw, integrating an Arduino-driven motor and custom 3D printed teeth,” they wrote.

Finally, his nominators described Rountrey as a compassionate colleague. “He consistently makes time to help, listen, and guide with sincere respect and kindness,” they wrote.

“Whether it’s introducing members of the public to our collections during outreach events, or supporting students and colleagues day-to-day, Adam’s compassion is an anchor for our thriving museum environment.”