The School of Pharmacy’s assistant director of assessment and accommodations in the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs is honored at the Employee Recognition and Service Awards event.
Photo: Lisa Finn, second from left, stands with, from left, Malika Monger, Agnes Ann Feemster, and Bruce Jarrell. (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
Lisa Finn, MPH, typically prefers to work behind the scenes, but she took center stage at Westminster Hall on March 25 as she was honored with the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) 2025 Cecil S. Kelly Memorial Employee of the Year Award.
Finn, assistant director of assessment and accommodations, Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), said she was “genuinely shocked” when UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, announced her name during the Employee Recognition and Service Awards Luncheon at Westminster Hall.
“With so many outstanding nominees, I never imagined I’d be selected,” Finn said. “Being recognized by Dr. Jarrell and hearing his kind words was truly a special moment, even if I’m not always comfortable being in the spotlight.
“It is humbling to know that my dedication has mattered and had a positive impact,” she added. “UMB is home to so many extraordinary and deserving individuals, and their commitment is what elevates the University to such a prestigious level. To be recognized among them is a tremendous honor.”
Watch a video about the Employee Recognition event below or on YouTube.
Finn received a certificate of commendation, an engraved crystal award, and $1,000 as rewards for the Employee of the Year honor. She was selected from a list of 18 nominees that included the UMB Employees of the Month in 2025 (she was the December honoree).
After announcing the award, Jarrell read quotes from her Employee of the Month nomination, which was written by Finn’s supervisor, Agnes Ann Feemster, PharmD, BCPS, associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, UMSOP.
“Lisa consistently excels in her role, regularly taking on additional assignments with ease. Her proactive approach is exemplified by her recent initiative to develop a new faculty newsletter, which highlights important updates related to academic affairs.”
“She frequently communicates information to faculty, even when it may be met with resistance. She handles these situations with respect and sensitivity, ensuring that her message is conveyed appropriately and thoughtfully.”
“Lisa exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, her collaborative spirit, and her role as a model colleague have made a profound impact on the School of Pharmacy.”
Finn has worked for UMSOP for 18 years. Her current job involves handling the awards and nominations process as well as purchasing, working with course evaluations and assessments, and implementing accommodations for students with disabilities.
Around UMSOP, Finn has been described as a “utility player,” someone who not only undertakes many duties, but also is the person whom leadership turns to for help if it needs a job done quickly and effectively. Two of those tasks in recent years were helping to launch the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program and establish the Educational Support and Disability Services testing center for UMSOP and physician assistant students.
“I am deeply grateful to the many individuals who have guided and mentored me over the years,” Finn said. “I’m fortunate to work alongside people whose dedication to excellence and service to our students continually inspires me. The work we do to prepare the next generation of health care professionals is important, and I never take that responsibility lightly.
“Each day, I remind myself that everyone I meet has something to teach me, and that by lifting others up and sharing what we know, we all grow stronger,” she added. “My career would not be what it is today without the support of exceptional colleagues and the students who make this journey worthwhile.”
Photo: UMB employees who celebrated 25 years of service to UMB in 2025 stand for a group photo at Westminster Hall. (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
Long-Term Service
To begin the event, UMB highlighted 113 employees who in 2025 celebrated 20-, 25-, 30-, 35-, or 40-year service anniversaries, including three who hit the 40-year mark: Jeffery Babischkin, School of Medicine; James Brown, Administration and Finance; and Fred Smith, Center for Information Technology Services. 
Photo: Fred Smith, who celebrated 40 years at UMB in 2025, is flanked by Malika Monger, left, and Bruce Jarrell (Photo by Matthew D’Agostino)
“There are so many people here today who make UMB great,” he said. “If I have a question, I can pick up the phone and talk to an expert — you all are experts in your fields. And that’s just a great thing about UMB — that we do function as a community, we function as a team, and we consult with one another.
“I know you hear the word ‘inclusiveness’ a lot,” he added. “I think we are an inclusive university. Just as important, you include me in your decision-making process and tell me how you’re thinking about a problem so that I can apply that at the University level. I want to tell you all how appreciative I am for the employees who help to create that kind of culture at UMB.”
Other UMB and USM Awards
Two other awards were announced at the event: Zachary Brown, multi-trades chief 2, Division of Operations and Maintenance, UMB, won the Community Service Award, and Chanise Reese-Queen, EdD, MSA, executive director of professional development and education, University of Maryland School of Medicine, received the James T. Hill Scholarship.
UMB also recognized three employees who have won University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Staff Awards over the past two years. The awards are the highest honor presented by the board to exemplary staff members across the 12-institution USM.
Mary Beth Nibley MBA, MA, director of development research and prospect management, Office of Philanthropy, UMB, was honored in 2025 in the Effectiveness and Efficiency category.
This year, Nicole Palmore, MSW, executive director, Office of Employee and Organizational Success, Administration and Finance, UMB, was recognized in the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging category, and Bill Cooper, MBA, senior associate dean for administration and finance and chief operating officer, UMSOP, was honored for Exceptional Contribution to the University.
Jen Badie contributed to this story.