On Thursday, September 24, President Marlene Tromp, Chief Human Resources Officer Molly Propst, and Staff Council President Jennifer Jorgenson recognized the recipients of the 2026 President’s Our Common Ground Staff Award at a ceremony attended by family members, nominators, and past awardees.

The Our Common Ground Staff Award celebrates staff members who exemplify UVM’s core values of respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. Together, these aspirations guide the university community. 

The 2026 honorees are: 

  • Christine Gallese, Assistant Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program, Larner College of Medicine
  • Vicki Gilwee, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Larner College of Medicine
  • Lise Larose, Assistant Dean for Student Services, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Ali Mahmood, Assistant Director, UVM Interfaith, Division of Intercultural Excellence
  • John Sama, Coordinator of Academic Integration, Academic Affairs and Student Services

Each honoree was introduced by their nominator, who read a citation highlighting the recipient’s contributions any the ways they embody UVM’s Our Common Ground values before being presented with their award.

President Tromp described UVM as a “uniquely values-driven institution” and reflected on how Our Common Ground helps share the university’s culture and sense of purpose. “We as a university seek to make a better world. What an extraordinary mission,” she said. “And we seek to model these values that are so fundamental to who we are as an institution. I think it sets up apart for students, faculty, and staff who choose to come here.” She thanked this year’s honorees for their leadership, dedication, and service, noting that they are “a living embodiment of Our Common Ground values.”

Since 2014, the Our Common Ground Staff Award has recognized staff members who make a lasting impact on the UVM community. This year, 40 staff members were nominated by groups of colleagues who took the time to write letters detailing acts of leadership, service, collaboration, and care. 

A review committee with representation from every college, school, and administrative unit on campus, including past award recipients, recommends finalists to the president, who selects the awardees.

A call for 2027 nominations will be announced in the spring.