National Employee Recognition Day
Outstanding Maverick Award Winners
The Outstanding Maverick Award Selection Committee has chosen 7 individuals and 1 team for making an impact on the university by exemplifying shared values, leadership, and teamwork. The winners were honored in April with a celebration hosted by Talent, Culture and Engagement (TCE).
Award Winners by Category
Category: Shared Values
Collaboration | Daphne R. Baker | Office of Legal Affairs
Daphne exemplifies UT Arlington’s shared value of collaboration through her consistent commitment of teamwork, mutual support, and knowledge sharing. She approached every project with a cooperative spirit, creating an environment where colleagues feel encouraged to contribute their perspectives and work together toward innovative shared goals. Daphne not only collaborates effectively within her department but also built meaningful partnerships across campus and in the broader community, helping to advance the University’s mission through connection and collective effort. Daphne consistently demonstrates what it means to embody collaboration at UTA-fostering trust, unity, and innovation in pursuit of common goals.
Innovation | Stephanie Jacobo | Office of Legal Affairs
Stephanie Jacobo exemplifies UT Arlington’s shared value of innovation through her consistent drive to find creative, forward-thinking ways to improve operations, enhance service, and strengthen her team’s capacity to serve the campus community. She continuously identifies opportunities to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and create a more responsive and welcoming environment. Stephanie applies innovation to create an environment where creative ideas are encouraged and tested. She regularly proposed new ways to enhance visitor experience and requests from other UTA departments and community members outside of campus. An example of her innovative spirit was her redesign of the front desk workflows to improve response time and service accuracy. This simple yet transformative approach improved office efficiency and set a new standard for customer service across the department. Stephanie demonstrated how innovation is not limited to large-scale projects but can be embedded in everyday actions that make systems work smarter and people feel more supported. Her initiatives have led to measurable improvements in service quality and team collaboration, embodying the spirit of continuous improvement that defines what it means to be a Maverick.
Integrity | Jenny Kimball | Office of Legal Affairs
Jenny Kimball exemplifies UT Arlington’s shared value of Integrity through her steadfast commitment to honesty, accountability, and ethical stewardship in every aspect of h.er work. She served as a trusted resource who modeled transparency and cultivated an atmosphere where others felt respected, heard, and confident that matters would be handled with fairness and professionalism. Jenny was meticulous in the handling of sensitive legal and policy matters. Her diligence not only protected the University’s interests but also upheld public trust in UTA’s operation. Jenny’s open-door approach to communication fostered a culture of transparency and trust. She listens attentively to colleagues’ concerns and encourages ethical decision-making across departments. Her balanced, fair-minded perspective makes it easier to navigate difficult situations with confidence and integrity. Through honesty, fairness, and unwavering professionalism, Jenny embodies the highest standards of integrity at UT Arlington-leading by example and strengthening the ethical foundation of the institution she so faithfully serves.
Engagement | Jade Myers | Computer Science and Engineering
Serving as the Communications Assistant, Jade has helped shape the department’s identity and strengthened engagement across students, staff, faculty, alumni, and external partners. Jade creates a genuinely welcoming and connected environment through every aspect of her work. She approaches each interaction with uplifting energy and respect, making colleagues feel comfortable and supported. Her communication efforts have become the blueprint for the department. Jade’s strategy across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X has not only strengthened our visibility but also deepened internal engagement. Jade embodies engagement through her creativity, positivity, and genuine care for her job. She consistently brings people together and cultivates a welcoming atmosphere that defines the department’s community.
Excellence | Jitenga Knox | Health Innovation Institute
Jitenga exemplifies the Maverick spirit through her unwavering commitment to service, innovation, and collaboration across UTA and broader UT System. Jitenga is known as the administrator “everyone knows” – not for visibility alone but for genuine care, support, and solutions she provides. Her work transcends departments and disciplines.
Her leadership and collaboration are displayed in her role on the UT System Employee Advisory Council (EAC), representing UTA with distinction since 2023. Jitenga orchestrated several programs to include training for 30 students from UTA and other institutions for a GETPHIT summer bootcamp, organizing a gala dinner for the MEDINFO 2025 conference, and her involvement in THIA 2025. She showcased her capacity to lead complex initiatives with precision and vision. Whether through planning, execution, or stakeholder engagement, Jitenga consistently demonstrates integrity, accountability, and transformative leadership.
Category: Leadership
Dr. Eileen Clements | Director, UTARI – UTA Research Institute
Dr. Eileen Clements, Research Director of the UTA Research Institute (UTARI), exemplifies excellence in leadership, professionalism, and integrity. Her approachable style and open-door policy fosters trust and collaboration across UTARI and the broader university community. As interim director for four years, she modernized prototyping facilities and expanded advanced manufacturing. She was instrumental in creating the $2 million Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center (MAVRC), which positioned UTA as a leader in autonomous aircraft research, leveraging several major grants for the facility. Equally important is her dedication to staff engagement and professional growth. Dr. Clements supports mentorship, professional development, and equity. She introduced staff recognition programs and compensation reviews, working closely with the Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement to maintain a supportive environment. Dr. Clements’ strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment have transformed UTARI into a model of innovation and engagement.
Sarah Panepinto | Executive Director, Office of Grants and Contracts
Sarah Panepinto, Executive Director of the Office of Grants and Contracts Services (OGCS), exemplifies visionary leadership, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to UTA’s research mission. Under her guidance, OGCS has managed the highest proposal volume in UTA history while navigating sweeping federal regulatory changes with precision and care. In addition to championing operational improvements, Sarah fosters a culture of mentorship and collaboration that strengthens the entire research enterprise. She expanded OGCS outreach through monthly “Learn with OGCS” sessions and bimonthly Department Research Administrator (DRA) training, equipping faculty, and staff with tools for success. Her commitment to mentorship built team capacity while promoting a respectful and supportive work environment across campus. She also transformed how departments worked together to achieve shared goals. Sarah led not only through systems and strategy, but through relationships by supporting students, researchers, faculty, and staff with empathy and integrity. Her influence has shaped a research enterprise that is resilient, innovative, and future-ready. Sarah exemplifies Maverick leadership at its finest: bold in vision, collaborative in approach, and unwavering in her commitment to excellence.
Category: Teamwork
Clinical Coordination Team | Laurie Cantrell, Khrisel Ewings, Cathleen Harris, Rhonda Jordan, and Janyth Mauricio
The Clinical Coordination Team in the Graduate Nursing Department was recognized and nominated for their exceptional teamwork. This outstanding group goes beyond normal operations to support students, faculty, and the mission of the university. Their effectiveness is rooted in genuine collaboration. The team works closely with seven nurse practitioner program directors and three advanced education directors to enhance communication, refine clinical guidelines, and improve processes that support both faculty and students. Within their own team, they have fostered a culture built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. As a team, they continuously support one another in managing high workloads and evolving program needs and consistently prioritize team success over individual tasks. Their collective work had a profound impact on departmental efficiency, student satisfaction, and the overall quality of clinical education in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. This group is frequently recognized for their attentiveness and compassion, often sharing how the team’s guidance helped them navigate complex clinical requirements which benefits thousands of future advanced practice nurses and significantly advancing UTA’s mission of excellence.
Committee Members:
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Allia Lewis | Talent, Culture, and Engagement |
| Michele Allen-Franklin | OIT Business Operations |
| LaTosha Carter-Mosley | Facilities Management Administration |
| Angel Hernandez | University Advising |
| Misti Maskil | OIT Learning and Comms |
| Sandro Miljatovic | Talent, Culture, and Engagement |
| Joseph Zschiesche | University Compliance Services |