Employee Awards 2025

Exemplary Employee Award Winners

Tomás González

Library Services Coordinator, Circulation, Access Services, Zimmerman Library

Tomás exemplifies what it means to be a library professional. As our Circulation Coordinator, he brings deep expertise of library principles and practices, strong work ethic, excellent judgment and communication, and calm, thoughtful leadership to his role. He motivates and inspires those around him to do the same. He is also a committed and collaborative colleague, and proactively steps up to support his coworkers by offering coverage at service points, training and mentoring new staff and student employees, and tactfully handling difficult patron interactions. Tomás consistently and skillfully delivers outstanding library services to our UNM community and beyond. 

Cheyenne Stradinger

Library Services Coordinator, Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC)

Cheyenne brings unwavering dedication to her role in managing, preserving, and making accessible the University’s vast collection of maps and cartographic resources. Whether it’s assisting researchers with rare topographic maps, working with UNM’s faculty providing instructional sessions, creating student engagement with maps, to meticulously cataloging materials, she approaches every task with in-depth knowledge, precision, and a deep respect for the collection and its value to students, faculty, and the wider public. Aside from her daily responsibilities, Cheyenne has taken the initiative to streamline her workflow for map requests. This helped align more closely with the library’s strategic goals around resource access. Cheyenne not only shows her commitment to UNM’s vision but also her commitment as a leader going beyond her assigned duties.

Sara Velasquez

Marketing Rep/Unit, Sr., Dean’s Office

Her knowledge of the many departments within CULLS is incredibly impressive and speaks to the care she puts into understanding the full scope of our college’s work. Sara plays a key role in nearly every event CULLS hosts, from planning to promotion. Her marketing and communication efforts are central to the success of large-scale events like the Graduate Commons Opening, Rudy Anaya Sala, ZimFest, and OILS convocation. She also leads the creation of our annual newsletters, writes press releases, and designs fliers that represent our college with professionalism and creativity. These tasks, while challenging, are handled by Sara with both skill and enthusiasm. In addition to her formal work, Sara is an outstanding teammate. She is someone I and many others turn to with questions because we know she will either have the answer or help us find it. She never hesitates to help, and she does so without complaint.

Project Implementation Award Winners

Menstrual Equity Pilot Program Team

Olivia Baca, Graduate & Faculty Engagement Librarian

Anne Schultz, Interim Director of Access Services

Chesney Christner, Library Information Specialist 3

Gunnar Barnes, Library Information Specialist 2  

Alyssa Russo, Undergraduate Engagement Librarian

This project has made a significant impact on the students who use Zimmerman Library, and it has provided a baseline for this project should it be expanded to the other campus libraries. This program supports the UL’s dedication to excellent patron service and support because it reinforces the library’s role on campus and its support of our diverse student population.

Bright Idea Award 

Allison Anderson

Library Information Specialist 2, Access Services, Zimmerman Library

“In Jan/Feb 2025, Allison proposed the idea of creating a “Blind Date with a Book” display in Zimmerman during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, 2/9-2/14. She encouraged staff across Access to send her recommendations for items to include in the display, creating a sense of excitement and ownership for the project across the unit. She provided clear instructions to Zimmerman staff and student employees on monitoring and refilling the display, and in handing out related stickers at the service desk when patrons checked out a book from the display. The display was a success, garnering significant interest and positive comments from our patrons, and over 80% or the displayed items were checked out-- a high return rate for a blind-date style display.”