Staff Award Winners Highlighted for Outstanding Work
Three Michigan Aerospace staff members have been recognized with annual awards
With so many dedicated staff members who work within the Aerospace Engineering Department to ensure our program is the best that it can be, we are proud to showcase three exceptional individuals who have recently been recognized with various staff awards.
Congratulations to Madison Schnaidt and Eric Anderson for receiving the U-M College of Engineering 2024 Staff Incentive Award, and Doug Barr who received Aero’s Annual Mart Stenzel Staff Dedication Award. Thanks to their hard work and dedication to our department, they have continued to support our students, faculty and other staff members, and have helped strengthen our community.
The CoE Staff Incentive Award is an annual award that recognizes staff members who have consistently demonstrated the College’s vision, mission and values. Our two recipients, Student Services Coordinator Madison Schnaidt and Strategic Initiatives & Communications Manager Eric Anderson, have gone above and beyond throughout their time in the department and have shown that they are essential members of the Michigan Aerospace Family.
Madison Schnaidt has been a member of the Aerospace Engineering staff since 2023 and has watched her role evolve throughout her time working within Academic Student Services. With the core of her job focusing on serving students in the program, she has expressed love and enthusiasm towards learning what motivates students, attending events and helping figure out how her team can help students on their path towards graduation and beyond.
“I am very excited to have received the Staff Incentive Award! I think this is a wonderful opportunity for staff to be recognized by the University and it feels great to know that the work we do is appreciated and seen. I was very humbled by the kind words in my nomination and I am encouraged by the fact that my work makes a difference to my teammates and students,” commented Schnaidt upon receiving the award. “I like that this job allows for experimentation in my administrative processes and provides some very solid support in the form of my team members.”
Eric Anderson has also been with the Aerospace Engineering Department since 2023 and has worked on various departmental efforts including organizing events, working with faculty and coordinating many new Marketing and Communications initiatives. He highlighted that the work the Marketing and Communications team performs is present in almost all areas of the department, and has allowed him to work and collaborate with other great team members and staff.
“Learning I’d won the Staff Incentive Award meant a great deal to me. I’m finding more and more that, as I progress in my career and life, opportunities become bigger and more exciting, but also more challenging and demanding. I’m grateful for these challenges that push me forward, the amazing people supporting me in and out of the office who make the work rewarding, and the outcomes we create together. To see all that recognized with this distinction was incredibly gratifying, and I look forward to what’s next,” Anderson stated after being announced as one of the winners.
Mart Stenzel Staff Dedication Award:
Aero’s Annual Mart Stenzel Staff Dedication Award was introduced in 2017, in recognition of Aerospace Engineering’s dedicated staff member, Mart Stenzel. This award is meant to honor Mart’s love for the department, his work ethic, and his inclusive and welcoming personality.
Doug Barr has been with Michigan Aerospace for the past two and a half years as the departments Engineering Technician, and last year received the one of the CoE 2023 Staff Incentive Award. In his role, Barr has expressed his appreciation for the work that he does and how gratifying it has been to play an essential part in students’ academic journeys.
“I am lucky to be in this role and love the work I do. The most gratifying part is seeing the students learn and grow. It is great knowing we are setting our students up for success, not only in their chosen careers, but also as great people with great futures,” Barr commented.
“It is an honor to receive the Mart Stenzel award, I am proud to be a member of the U of M Aerospace team. I love being part of a department that continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in Aerospace. I could not succeed without the help of a great team around me. We have a great group of technicians, I could not have received this award without their help and support. Go Blue!”