2024 ECE Core Values Excellence Award Winners

Shelly Feldkamp, ECE Research Administrator

Shelly Feldkamp is ECE’s research administrator for faculty residing on the 4th floor of the EECS Building. She is described as bringing joy and positivity to all she does, and working to find solutions to any problem that arises. She created a specially designed system to share post-award financial information with faculty that is far more helpful than the standard report offered through the university system. She ensures that graduate student appointments are done in a timely manner, and she is always available to help students with their needs, even with simple things like reimbursements for group meetings involving food. One student cheerfully reported, “She keeps my stomach full to do good research!”

There are many spending rules that must be followed to stay in compliance with university and external funding agencies, and Shelly helps the faculty stay in compliance, while offering solutions when needed. According to one faculty member, one of the most treasured aspects of how Feldkamp approaches her work is how she stays on top of every faculty request. If a task can’t be completed right away, she keeps faculty updated on her progress. Faculty also appreciate her unwavering integrity. 

Nancy Slowey, ECE Undergraduate Advising Office Assistant

Nancy Slowey is known for going above and beyond her responsibilities in the undergraduate advising office. She strives to make all visitors welcome, while creating a safe space in the office for everyone, and provides a nurturing environment for the undergraduate students who work in the office. She also reaches out to new staff to help them feel welcome.

She created a system of templates so that student questions submitted online concerning a wide range of issues can be responded to efficiently. She assists in training new faculty advisors, bringing her own awareness of individual student needs, and advocates for students who have a difficult time navigating the bureaucracy of the University. In her first year on the job, she took on the job of assisting with the ABET accreditation process, and worked tirelessly to ensure all goals were met, while keeping up with her regular responsibilities.

Slowey serves on the ECE Positive Culture Committee, and comes up with many ideas to bring people together. She gives her time to ensure activities are run smoothly both for this committee and for a wide variety of departmental events. She is an individual who is driven to help others and make the world a better place.

Richard Van Camp, ZEUS Laboratory Engineer

Rick Van Camp is a laboratory engineer for the ZEUS laser facility, which serves an international community of researchers. He is credited with bringing a spirit of positivity and collaboration that has greatly enriched the ZEUS team and fostered an environment where all staff feel respected and heard. Among his responsibilities are onboarding new lab technicians. In addition to sharing crucial lab-specific skills, he emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the team.

Van Camp is known for not simply solving existing problems, but anticipating future challenges. For example, in his investigation into the North Campus Water Loop, he was able to identify significant sediment and particle issues, which benefited the ZEUS lab while also enhancing the functionality for all users of the chiller system. He brought that same care to the purchase of a critical piece of equipment for the ZEUS facility. 

Overall, Van Camp’s integrity, positivity, and dedication have made him a leader and an invaluable asset to the laser facility.