Seven ECE staff honored with 2024 College of Engineering Staff Incentive Awards

Amy Brooks, ECE Research Manager

Amy plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the faculty’s research initiatives. She has taken the lead in managing and coordinating complex research projects from Zeus to the Quantum Research Institute, ensuring that all aspects of the work are precise and efficient. Her ability to oversee the administration of multiple research teams, streamline operations, and provide strategic guidance has been crucial in ensuring that ECE’s research goals are met on time and within budget, even through logistical challenges. Amy is instrumental in facilitating connections within the department, across the college, and across universities. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to teamwork are evident in every project she leads. She has stepped in to lighten the workloads of her colleagues and regularly serves on interview committees for positions outside of her area. Amy fosters an inclusive environment by coordinating staff spotlights, which recognize and celebrate the outstanding work of other ECE staff members. Her leadership, dedication to collaboration, and commitment to excellence have had a lasting impact on our department’s success.

Jessi Cebulski, ECE Research Administrator

Jessi goes above and beyond her responsibilities to support faculty in grant submissions, compliance with federal regulations, and research budgeting. She is consistently proactive in her studies, anticipating the needs of her colleagues and providing solutions before challenges arise. Her attention to detail, dedication and collaborative nature have earned her the respect and trust of faculty, staff, and students. Jessi is always willing to lend her expertise to her colleagues and her ability to work across departments and collaborate with diverse teams has helped build a sense of community in ECE and beyond. Her reliability and trustworthy approach to sensitive information also fosters a strong sense of confidence and security within the area she serves. Her tireless work has played a key role in the faculty achieving their goals.

Lisa Flick, ECE Undergraduate Advisor

Lisa consistently goes above and beyond to provide exceptional guidance to students, ensuring they are supported in both their academic and personal journeys. She develops tailored advising strategies that empower students to succeed, even in challenging circumstances. Lisa is constantly seeking ways to improve advising methods, foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, and remove any barriers to student success. She embodies the spirit of teamwork and collaboration, facilitating department communication, addressing student concerns, and stepping up to help the peer advisors when they need backup. She took the initiative to organize and conduct group declaration sessions, which improved the consistency of information that our new students receive and encouraged new Electrical Engineering students to connect with each other. Her expertise, willingness to support colleagues, and dedication to student success make Lisa an outstanding member of the ECE community.

Patrick McCollum, Financial Manager

Patrick has consistently demonstrated leadership in managing and revamping our department’s financial systems. His understanding of financial processes, coupled with his proactive approach, has led to improvements in our systems for RI budgets, expenses, and reporting. These improvements have resulted in faster processing times, greater accuracy in financial reports, and an overall reduction in administrative burden. Patrick has the remarkable ability to think creatively and implement innovative solutions that make life easier for everyone. He is a leader, a collaborative team player, and a trusted advisor to colleagues across the division. He serves on the College’s Procurement Engagement Team, where he plays an instrumental role in shaping more efficient processes throughout Michigan Engineering. Patrick has consistently shown exceptional creativity and unwavering dedication to driving meaningful improvements. His efforts have significantly reduced administrative burden, streamlined processes, and resolved complex challenges.

Chris Puzzuoli, EECS Web Software Developer

Chris has an outstanding ability to think outside the box and innovate. He has developed and implemented software solutions that have greatly enhanced our department’s efficiency and capabilities. He automated the process of creating individual schedules for visiting PhD applications and the process for submitting ECE student petitions. He also developed a system for faculty to review and sign documents on an online portal, reducing faculty and student burden, and streamlined the qualification exam process. Chris is a collaborative team player, always willing to lend his expertise to colleagues across departments. He is known for his ability to break down complex technical concepts and communicate them effectively to non-technical team members, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project goals. He actively participates in collaborative problem-solving sessions, often taking the lead in troubleshooting and resolving issues that arise during development. His positive attitude, approachability, and willingness to support others have had a lasting positive impact on EECS.

Michele Ruffino, ECE Undergraduate Advisor

Michele consistently transforms existing administration processes to better support faculty and improve the student experience. She innovated a new system for the Computer Engineering program’s collection of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) materials, developed a Canvas site to help the diverse body of Computer Engineering student majors register, and created a tip sheet with helpful and timely information for students to reference. She also stepped in to help with events, lab tours, and volunteer events. Michele is a passionate advocate for student recognition and provides exceptional guidance to students, supporting both their academic and personal growth. Her ability to understand each student’s unique needs helps her empower them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Whether helping students navigate academic obstacles or offering career advice, Michele inspires them to reach their full potential.

Grant Young, ZEUS Laboratory Engineer Senior

Grant consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the success of ECE’s laser-based research initiatives. With his excellent technical proficiency and problem-solving ability, he played a critical role in setting up the Zeus laser systems. Grant is often one of the go-to experts for troubleshooting difficult issues, and his leadership in maintaining and enhancing ZEUS laser systems has been instrumental in the advancement of Michigan Engineering’s research capabilities. He considers various aspects of a problem and thoughtfully evaluates creative solutions to determine the best course of action, while ensuring compliance with all necessary procedures. Grant took the lead in cleaning, organizing, improving, and managing the machine shop for faculty use. Whether working on large-scale experimental setups or troubleshooting day-to-day issues, Grant always makes collaboration a priority. He is respected for his ability to communicate with faculty, staff and researchers, his friendly demeanor, and his willingness to offer assistance. He greets everyone with a smile and a good morning, and his supportive nature makes him a reliable colleague in the lab, on the floors, or anywhere else.