OA Council honors 5 employees for outstanding service

Five officers of administration have been named OA Stars for their outstanding commitment and contributions to the University of Oregon.

The honorees will be recognized at the upcoming OA Council’s fall open meeting Nov. 10 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Erb Memorial Union Gumwood Room. 

Officers of administration selected to receive OA Star Awards distinguish themselves by applying their professional efforts for the betterment of the entire institution and the university community. They excel not only in their positions and departments but also embody a spirit of collegiality and vision, working with peers and partners across departmental and divisional lines.  

This year’s stars were chosen from a pool of more than 70 peer-nominated submissions representing OAs from every division and school. 

The honorees will receive a certificate and a seat in the presidential suite at a home football game. Below are the OA Star winners and a snippet of their nomination entry: 

  • Tom Driscoll, director of housing for dining services, University Housing: Driscoll led the accommodations and dining planning and implementation for Oregon22, the largest and most complex conference hosted on campus with more than 120,000 meals served and 50,000 bed nights. 
  • Mariko Lin, assistant director, education and prevention outreach director, University Counseling Services: Lin oversees counseling services and mental health outreach on campus. She was responsible for Jed Foundation campus distinction, implemented Kognito and other initiatives to assist students with mental health concerns. 
  • Sarah Rivas, executive assistant and major student events manager, Division of Student Life: With staff departures, she took the lead on planning and executing campuswide events such as homecoming, spring parent and family weekend, and commencement. She works tirelessly and diligently to cultivate a variety of meaningful student experiences. 
  • Chantelle Russell, associate director, Department of Physical Education and Recreation: Russell developed and oversees the Thrive Healthy Living academic residential community and oversees more than 140 PE classes per term for nearly 4,000 students. 
  • Anna Shamble, senior project manager, Office of the Provost: Shamble manages and executes academic initiatives and incorporates innovation and inclusion in the provost’s initiatives. Her colleagues describe her as the unsung hero who keeps the university functioning. 

­—By Spencer Smith, University Communications