Janelle Hanson, an administrative specialist in the (COPH), has been named a 2025 USF Outstanding Staff Award recipient and selected as the university鈥檚 overall Staff Member of the Year.
Hanson serves as assistant to Jay Evans, vice dean for finance and operations, and Dr. Tricia Penniecook, vice dean for faculty and global affairs. The recognition honors her exceptional service, leadership and commitment to student success during a period of significant organizational transition.
鈥淏eing a recipient of the USF Outstanding Staff Award is huge to me,鈥� Hanson said. 鈥淎nytime your colleagues take time out of their busy schedules to acknowledge your hard work is humbling and inspires one to work even harder. I had no expectations of being the overall Staff Member of the Year for USF. It was one of those moments where you think, 鈥業 am getting recognized for simply doing the right thing,鈥� and being surprised for it.鈥�
Janelle Hanson celebrating at the USF Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Hanson)
Hanson was nominated by USF Health colleagues Amanda Livingston, financial aid specialist, and Olivia Brennan, director of student success, for her extraordinary support of Federal Work Study students when USF Health Shared Student Services concluded its operations and her own position was eliminated.
In her nomination, Livingston wrote that Hanson 鈥渞emained fully present 鈥� not just in duty, but in spirit,鈥� becoming a guiding force for the students she supported. Livingston noted that Hanson personally helped students update r茅sum茅s, conducted mock interviews and reached out to campus partners to advocate for their placement, ensuring each student was reassigned and positioned for success.
鈥淗er unwavering commitment helped students retain employment, build confidence and remain connected to the university community,鈥� Livingston wrote, adding that Hanson鈥檚 actions embodied USF鈥檚 core values of student success, integrity and compassion.
Brennan echoed those sentiments, describing Hanson鈥檚 response to the transition as 鈥渁 masterclass in mentorship.鈥� While her formal role focused on administrative operations, Brennan wrote that Hanson redefined service by ensuring every Federal Work Study student experienced a smooth and dignified transition.
鈥淲hat sets Janelle apart is not just what she did, but how she did it 鈥� with grace, empathy and an unshakable commitment to others,鈥� Brennan said.
Reflecting on her work at the College of Public Health, Hanson said she is proud to support its leadership and community.
鈥淚 am happy to bring my skills and expertise to the College of Public Health,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s a newer employee in COPH, I鈥檓 still creating my 鈥榩roudest鈥� moments, but I am proud of the work I do to assist our vice deans, dean鈥檚 office, and student, faculty and staff engagement.鈥�
Asked what motivates her each day, Hanson pointed to the people at the heart of the university鈥檚 mission.
鈥淭he amazing, talented and wonderful students,鈥� she said.