Donna Torres receives the College of Arts & Sciences Excellence in Support Award

 

Donna, who is a Lead Administrator by title, has been an excellent contributor to the success of the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management since 2014. One of her primary responsibilities is to coordinate graduate admissions for two master's degrees and one doctoral degree. As Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Donna completes all of the associated liaison work with the graduate faculty, approximately 100 admitted graduate students, and the Graduate School. Another one of her primary responsibilities is to work with faculty (over 30 hires in the past 9 years) in the financial management of their start-up packages and internal and external grants, including laboratory equipment purchases, professional travel, and much more. Despite significant faculty turnover and new hires, Donna has unflappably helped them learn university policies and procedures as they relate to use of start-up funds and management of grants. She patiently assists all faculty financially manage their start-up and grant funds, including fully equipping several new research laboratories and hiring and paying numerous employees working in locations other than on campus. Regardless of a faculty's member research-related need, Donna is persistent in identifying how to address this need. Donna is the “go to” person for solutions and getting things accomplished.