By Jeff Murphy,
May 22, 2019
Recipient of the 欧美视频鈥檚 2019 Outstanding Staff Award, Kristie
Brinkley, center, is congratulated by Beth Rutt, left, president of the UCM Staff
Council, and Rachel Clements, the 2018 award recipient, at the annual Staff Appreciation
Breakfast.
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Having a reputation for outstanding service to others and tremendous
compassion for students, Kristie Brinkley, assistant director for Volunteer Services
at the 欧美视频, has been honored with the 2019 Outstanding
Staff Award. The award presentation was made May 15 during the Staff Appreciation
Breakfast in the university鈥檚 Elliott Student Union.
The Outstanding Staff Award is annually presented to a non-exempt employee who has
worked at least one year for UCM. To be considered, an individual must have demonstrated
superior service to students, staff, faculty and the community, and demonstrate professionalism,
a commitment to go above and beyond normal duties, while also promoting teamwork and
collaboration.
Brinkley joined UCM 19 years ago. Her vast duties include advising student groups,
organizing university blood drives, planning service events and opportunities for
the UCM community, as well as networking with the Warrensburg community to facilitate
volunteer opportunities. Among her many efforts, she encourages students to give back
to others through a wide range of service opportunities both on and off campus, including
Habitat for Humanity projects.
A longtime Warrensburg resident, Brinkley is active in the community and has served
a number of organizations which promote leadership and citizen involvement or help
meet the needs of children. These include membership on the Johnson County CLIMB (Community
Leadership and Involvement Mean a Better Community) Board of Directors and the ECHO
(Early Childhood Hunger Operation) Board of Directors.
The announcement of Brinkley as the Outstanding Staff Award recipient was made by
Rachel Clements, who received the award in 2018. Clements, who is currently working
for the College of Education, spoke about her work with Brinkley, both as a student
and as a professional colleague.
鈥淚 first worked with her when I was an undergraduate student as part of the nontraditional
student Organization,鈥 Clements said. 鈥淪he was a superb role model and resource for
a budding student leader. Now, as a fellow staff member, I see how she inspires our
campus to be good stewards of our community and leads by example. From coordinating
all of the volunteer opportunities to working with student outreach, she embodies
what it means to provide excellent customer service while always putting the needs
of others first. She truly is one of the unsung heroes of this campus.鈥
Recently reflecting on what the award means to her, Brinkley noted, 鈥淚 am blessed
and thankful to be able to work here at UCM with our amazing students, staff and faculty.
My job has also allowed me to partner with our Warrensburg community and provide a
bridge to bring these two together.
鈥淓ach day, I get the privilege to work with and support our future leaders while learning
something from them as well. I really enjoy being a part of this team to help others.鈥
In addition to her work at UCM, Brinkley enjoys spending time with her husband, Bill,
who is employed with the university鈥檚 Department of Public Safety, and spending time
with their two sons, Billy, 16, and J.P., 14.