Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
2009 Award Winners
Ellen Sunshine
Martin Luther King Jr. Program, College of Liberal Arts
Ellen Sunshine and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Robert McMaster.
Advocate. Developmental Adviser. Compassionate. Commitment. Motivator.
These are just a few of the words and thoughts that emanate when students,
colleagues, and friends alike think of Ellen Sunshine. Ellen has been an
academic adviser in The Martin Luther King Jr. Program, in the College of
Liberal Arts, since July 2001. In her nearly eight-years of service Ellen
has become a cornerstone in CLA and on the UMTC campus. Ellen's trademark is
her contagious good will and positivity towards students and colleagues.
While these are defining traits, they only scratch the surface of many
talents that have enabled Ellen to make a significant institutional impact
so early in her career. Victor Collins, Director of the MLK Program and
Ellen's direct supervisor, best conveys this: "Ellen did not establish this
high level of respect and admiration based solely on her bubbly spirit and
infectious personality. No matter how truly gregarious and warm Ellen is to
everyone she meets, she is the embodiment of a service leader."
Ellen demonstrates the spirit of service leader through her meaningful,
diverse, and significant contributions to her students, CLA, the U of M, and
to the advising profession. Examples of Ellen's far-reaching impact include
her involvement on: the Student Services Advisory Committee, the Twin Cities
Academic Advising and Career Counseling Retreat Committee, Co-Chair of the
Academic Advising Network; CLA Welcome Week Planning Committee,
co-coordinator of the U of M Exploring Interests and Majors Event Planning
Committee; member of the Study Abroad Curriculum Integration initiative,
member of the Selection Committee for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and
chair-elect of the Multicultural Study Abroad Group. These are only a few
examples of Ellen's multifaceted involvement.
Colleagues and students have marveled at Ellen's ability to competently and
energetically take on all these roles while providing high-quality service
to students. Jeannie Stumne, a colleague and friend, marvels at Ellen's
ability to truly manage the combination of administrative duties, committee
work, and meeting student needs all while not compromising the quality of
work in any of these areas. Another colleague, and former Tate winner, Gayle
Woodruff states "Ellen is someone whom you want to work, with whom you want
to collaborate, and whom you want to serve students." Another close
colleague, A Yang, sums it up best "Ellen is the "GO To" person in both CLA
and the campus community." Countless others share that while Ellen is highly
tapped resource, that she is also "very supportive colleague."
Sara Azar, MLK junior, and Ellen's advisee shares: "Every single time I
leave Ellen's office I breathe a little lighter, and actually find a better
purpose in my undergraduate education." Another advisee, Cathering Abubo, a
senior states, "Since I met Ellen, she has been approachable, encouraging,
energetic, and understanding. Ellen is a genuine person with a heart of
gold."
Perhaps the most-revealing sentiment that best encapsulates the foundation
of this truly remarkable individual, is the quote Ellen has hanging in her
office: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be
the world."
THANK YOU, Ellen, and CONGRATULATIONS!