UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Denise M. Brooks, administrative support assistant at Penn State Behrend, has been honored with the 2016 Support Staff Award.
The award recognizes the overall high-quality performance of a full-time member of the support staff with at least five years of active service in fulfilling the mission of the University and of his or her college or administrative unit. It also recognizes dedicated focus to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork and professionalism.
Overseeing a school that has increased its research funding fivefold in the past four years, Brooks plays a critical role in developing procedures to handle the rapid and continuing expansion.
Brooks readies budgetary paperwork for proposals, ensures all requirements are met and follows the process every step of the way. She’s responsible for issues including nondisclosure agreements, intellectual property, risk management and international trafficking in arms regulations.
A nominator said the rapidly expanding research has “created a dramatic increase in the demands placed on Brooks’ position” and has required her to optimize the procedures, adding “the growth we have experienced could not have happened to the same extent without her well-conceived and conscientiously executed contributions.”
In addition to research funding, projects and proposals, Brooks sits on the College of Engineering Safety Committee, where she recently revamped lab safety manuals in time for safety inspections.