The Staff Spotlight recognizes and celebrates achievements and contributions made by non-faculty staff to the successful operation of the University. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and exemplary performance of individuals and teams that deserve special recognition. All non-faculty staff employed, both full-time and part-time, by RUSH University are eligible to be recognized in the Staff Spotlight; it is also possible to nominate a whole team rather than an individual.
There are two award periods each year. Nominations are open year-round; nominees will be reviewed as candidates for the next upcoming review period.
First Nomination Period
- Review Period: May 01, 2026 - June 30, 2026
- Awardee/Honorable Mentions Announced: at Summer Staff Open Forum on July 15, 2026
Second Nomination Period
- Review Period: September 15, 2026 - October 21, 2026
- Awardee/Honorable Mentions Announced: at the Winter Staff Open Forum on November 4, 2026
To nominate a staff member, review the guidelines and instructions and submit a nomination form.
The most recent Staff Spotlight award winners:
Scotty Fleetwood
Scotty Fleetwood is the Manager of Library Access Services.
Scotty was nominated because he exemplifies Rush's pledge of excellence in his everyday work. From his nomination:
“In addition to his regular managerial duties, Scotty routinely represents the University in Systems meetings and volunteer opportunities. He has been the driving force behind many university projects, conducting outreach and partnering with various Employee Resource groups such as the Office of Environmental Sustainability.”
"Most recently, he has revised the library's physical book collection and turned the weeding of outdated books into a campus-wide book recycling project that enabled faculty, staff, and students to sustainably dispose of around 3 tons of books! This project was years in the making and speaks to Scotty's true commitment to environmental sustainability at Rush."
"He provides excellent services to library patrons and brings warmth and enthusiasm to the library staff on a daily basis. Scotty is the heart and lifeblood of the Rush Library."
Michelle Santangelo
Michelle is a Research Manager in the Department of Emergency Medicine.
She was nominated because she embodies the Rush ICARE values and exemplifies the true meaning of excellence. From her nomination:
“The part of Michelle's work I am proudest to highlight is her investment in people. She created and leads PROPEL, our undergraduate research assistant program, which as grown to 12 students. PROPEL opens a real door into research for students who might not otherwise find one, and it reflects exactly the kind of inclusive, mission-driven pipeline Rush wants to be known for."
"When i think about excellence, I think about how Michelle has helped grow our research program into something the department is now known for. Over the past year she helped drive our funded portfolio past $2.2 million, a year-over-year increase of close to 47 percent, while also overseeing more than a dozen active studies."
"Michelle chooses to build something better rather than simply keep up, and her contributions are not the product of a single strong year, but reflect a longstanding and steady commitment to Rush, to our mission, and to the people around her."