Brenda Cullin wins the University Staff Excellence Award. This system level award recognizes superior performance resulting in significant contributions to the department and university; use of positive personal interaction to manage work changes; and a consistently innovative approach that improves productivity and work quality. Those of us lucky enough to work in the Department know Brenda is superior but now the rest of the world knows!

From the Regents Press Release: Cullin has served UW-Milwaukee for 42 years and has enhanced the Department of Economics’ sense of community and equity. Her cost-saving suggestions supported faculty research and the creation of a Graduate Student Lounge where students study and get to know one another. She became the inaugural chair of the University Staff Grievance Committee. She served on executive-level search-and-screen committees for UW-Milwaukee as well as the Chancellor’s Best Place to Work Coordinating Team. As co-chair of the African Diaspora Council, Cullin was instrumental in establishing the council’s scholarship  to support African American students. Over the last four years, the council awarded $38,000 to 21 scholars, and, to date, 19 of the students have graduated from UW-Milwaukee. She also spearheaded the council’s fundraising that provides school supplies to two Milwaukee Public Schools, offering much-needed support.