2025 CoE Staff-Faculty Partnership Award

Prof. Robert Dick was honored with the 2025 College of Engineering Staff-Faculty Partnership Award, which he earned for the many ways he has demonstrated appreciation for staff while treating them as equals.

In fact, after hearing that he received the award, Prof. Robert Dick said, “I’m still trying to figure out why I received it. I just treat staff the same way I treat everybody else.” 

Prof. Dick has served for many years as Chief Program Advisor for the undergraduate Computer Engineering Program. It is a multifaceted role requiring him to wear many hats.

“He excelled as Chief Program Advisor due to his understanding of university policies, willingness to make time for staff and listen to their concerns, and troubleshoot problems as they arose,” said Unit Administrator Lisa Armstrong. “He handled each question with patience and sensitivity.”

A critical activity Dick has led is the departmental ABET process. This is a time-intensive project that requires significant help from staff. One year he was recruited into the process rather late, and instead of expecting the staff to double their workload to get things done, “he jumped right in alongside staff to ensure a successful review, all the while being cognizant of their workloads and personal lives,” said Armstrong.

He is one of the most professional and courteous faculty members I have had the pleasure of working with during my career.

Michelle Chapman

Dennis Sylvester recalled receiving the 500 page ABET report from Dick, which was filled with praise for the staff and all the work they had done to ensure its completion. “Robert’s close and harmonious collaboration with numerous staff members allowed it to be a success,” said Sylvester.

As an active researcher, Dick interacts frequently with research administrators who assist him with proposal submissions and post-award management, student appointments, project updates, and much more. In recent years, that person has been Research Manager Michelle Chapman, who said of Dick, “He is one of the most professional and courteous faculty members I have had the pleasure of working with during my career.” He trusts Chapman to do the work, and provides sufficient time for her to fulfill his requests. “And he consistently praises my team’s efforts,” said Chapman.

In yet another area of staff-faculty interactions, Dick has had several occasions to work with Graduate Program Manager Kristen Thornton. One of his activities was to create the content for a web page outlining the procedures for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT allows students to gain job experience before graduating, but there are a number of rules for international students. By creating this webpage, questions to staff about the process were reduced by about 80%, according to Thornton. She has also seen Dick go out of his way to assist staff during student visit days. “He treats all staff he encounters as valued team members and collaborates with us to provide the best student support possible,” said Thornton.

Dick will be honored at a special awards ceremony especially for staff on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.