Board of Regents Staff Awards

Staff Awards

Every year the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Maryland (USM) presents awards to exceptional staff who've made an impact on their colleagues, students, institutions, and communities. We're proud that the BOR has recognized several Coppin staff members over the years—and we know they're not the last to be recognized!

Denise Williams

Denise Williams is an academic program specialist for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (CBSS). She is also the latest recipient of the 2018 -2019 Board of Regents Staff Award.

Denise won in the category, “Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment,” for making an impact on students’ lives and implementing an idea that transformed the student experience. Drawing from a bank of personal experiences and one-on-one student involvement, Denise established the Coppin Parent Student Organization. In her role as an academic advisor, she helped many students overcome financial issues and childcare concerns to return to Coppin. Her work with the student-parent organization ensured that there is enough support to help them complete their degree.

Denise's commitment to Coppin State and its students is deeply personal. As a single parent of three sons, she knows how the value of earning a degree can benefit a family.

There was a recognition ceremony for the award recipients at Towson University. Each recipient received a plaque and a $2,000 stipend.

Prasad Doddanna

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents (BOR) selected Prasad Doddanna as a recipient of the 2016- 2017 USM Board of Regents’ Staff Award in the category of Effectiveness and Efficiency. 
 
Prasad Doddanna “PD” has worked at Coppin State University for 16 years as Director of Information & Decision Support System. Prasad’s creative and innovative approaches to his work saved Coppin State University millions of dollars, contributed to the Division of Information Technology revenue, and resulted in regional and national recognition.  He creatively implemented approaches that led to campus-wide business process improvements, prompting a savings of $750,000 over 5 years as well as generating revenues that exceeded $200,000. Prasad’s original ideas have resulted in savings of approximately 2 million dollars over 10 years. 
 
Prasad has immeasurably served his unit, division, and the University. He has provided leadership, innovation solutions and creative approaches that have saved Coppin State University millions of dollars and generated hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue. USM Assist Vice Chancellor shared “I hold Prasad in very high regard. Prasad is the standard setter for employees who contribute far more than is ever expected. He does this with a high level of professionalism. When faced with challenges, he leads by demonstrating stability and control. When his team succeeds, he takes neither credit nor limelight but passes any praise to his staff and their efforts.”  
 
Prasad was recognized at a special breakfast ceremony on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  PD was presented with a plaque at the ceremony, and a $2,000 stipend. 

Sherrye Larkins

University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents (BOR) selected Sherrye Larkins as a recipient of the 2014-2015 USM Board of Regents’ Staff Award in the category of outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment – Exempt Staff. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents to recognize exemplary staff achievement. Sherrye is the second Coppin State University staff member to receive a Board of Regent Staff Award.

Sherrye is a valued member of the Division of Institutional Advancement and provides support for both internal and external constituencies. Her work with Coppin special events has been outstanding. In addition, she was one of the founders of the Connecting Ladies Across Campus program, one of Coppin’s student mentoring programs.

Over the last two years, Sherrye has done an outstanding job leading the Staff Senate at Coppin and has served in a leadership role with the USM Council of System Staff (CUSS).

Sherrye joined other recipients at the BOR Special Breakfast Ceremony held Friday, September 18, 2015 at Coppin State University, where she received a plaque and a $1,000 monetary award.

Claude (Dick) Rader

University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents (BOR) selected Dick Rader as a recipient of the 2013-2014 USM Board of Regents’ Staff Award in the category of Effectiveness and Efficiency – Exempt Staff. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents to recognize exemplary staff achievement. Dick is the first Coppin State University staff member to receive a Board of Regent Staff Award.

Dick has steadfastly served the Coppin State University Division of Information Technology for over a decade. He has produced innovative accomplishments that have distinguished him within the industry and on Coppin’s campus. He has received numerous local, state, and national awards for his work. Computerworld Honors Program presented him with a Laureate for his "Enhanced 911 for Public Safety Effectiveness and Efficiency." Avaya also recognized his work with an Enterprise Transformation Award for his work with "E911 Implementation." His achievements have been instrumental in moving the Division of Information Technology and the University forward, placing Coppin at the leading edge of a technology driven institutions.

Dick has an extensive documented path of accomplishments that have required him to engage the University community across several campus departments. As a result, he has moved the entire campus forward toward the forefront of innovation, with improvements that impact the entire sphere of teaching and learning here at Coppin State University.

Dick joined other recipients at a BOR Special Breakfast ceremony on Friday, September 19, 2014 at Towson University. He received a plaque and a $1,000 monetary award.