The UW–Madison School of Education would like to congratulate the recipients of our 2025 Distinguished Achievement Awards. The School’s highly regarded national reputation is due, in large part, to the dedication and talent of our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you to our award winners for your outstanding efforts.
Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Awards
University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award
Dick & Julie Daly Award for Education Student Staff Achievement
Community of Excellence Award
Wisconsin Idea Award
Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Awards
The Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes a staff member’s impact on the mission of the unit and their outstanding performance in that unit.
Elton Crim
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Elton Crim is a clinical professor and director of the Higher Education master’s program in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Across his three decades of service at UW–Madison, Crim has made profound contributions in teaching, service, and leadership.
As an educator with a rigorous teaching load, Crim centers a case-study approach that integrates theory with administrative practice, preparing students to become thoughtful problem-solvers. His depth of experience — including roles across campus and numerous community leadership positions — lends unparalleled credibility to class discussions of real-world leadership challenges. Students have lauded him as “inspiring,” “brilliant,” “honest,” and “authentic.”
Crim also brings what one nominator called “transformative leadership” of the Higher Education master’s program. He has initiated and overseen several innovations in the program that provide crucial development and enrichment for students. He created the Higher Education Student Advisory Board to foster a sense of belonging among master’s students and developed an out-of-the-classroom leadership speaker series that connects students with accomplished administrators. He also implemented career-focused events with human resources professionals in higher education and coordinates the higher education internship program.
Crim’s stature as a respected leader across campus and in the broader Madison community means he is an exemplary advocate for UW–Madison students and ambassador for our programs. As one of his nominators, AJ Welton, wrote: “His tireless efforts embody the Wisconsin Idea: he has spent nearly three decades ensuring that the benefits of this university extend to students, communities, and institutions across the state and beyond. His unwavering dedication has improved outcomes for countless students and has strengthened higher education in Wisconsin at every level.”
For these reasons and many more, we are proud to honor Elton Crim with the Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award.
Kristy Kelly
Department of Educational Psychology
Kristy Kelly is a clinical professor in the Department of Educational Psychology who serves as the department’s director of clinical training and co-chair of the School Psychology program. In her roles, Kelly has facilitated high-quality graduate training for both doctoral and educational specialist students. Her work has not only supported the rapid growth and success of our school psychology program, but ensured the highest quality training of future school psychologists and clinicians at a time when they are sorely needed in Wisconsin and around the country.
In her role as co-director of the School Psychology Training Clinic, Kelly worked to expand clinic services into the summer term. This expansion enabled the clinic to provide additional assessment and intervention support to youth and families in the community, as well as provide educational specialist students an additional practicum opportunity within their relatively accelerated training timeline.
Her nominators note Kelly also “single-handedly” recruited additional school psychologists to supervise students during practicum hours — a challenging task when qualified individuals are in short supply. Her recruitments enabled a 169% increase in practicum placements for our students since the launch of the educational specialist school psychology program. She also works tirelessly to ensure practicum and internship experiences are beneficial and supportive to students and placement sites alike, balancing a range of dynamic needs.
In the words of the Department of Educational Psychology’s Faculty Awards Committee: “Simply stated, the state of Wisconsin and the nation will employ more school psychologists because of her tireless work.”
For these reasons and many more, we are proud to award Kristy Kelly the Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award.
University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award
The University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes a staff member’s outstanding performance on the job, initiation or recommendation of innovative ideas that are implemented and result in better service or efficiency, and exhibition of grace under pressure.
Sydney Prather
Department of Theatre and Drama
Sydney Prather is being recognized for exceptional service and meaningful contributions within the Department of Theatre and Drama, where they have served as a programs specialist since fall 2025.
From the moment Prather joined the department, their impact has extended far beyond their outstanding administrative skills. Prather brings “warmth, generosity, and a genuine investment in the people who make up our community” to every aspect of their work, writes their nominator, Clare Arena Haden. The nomination also emphasizes that “Sydney doesn’t simply complete tasks — they elevate the environment around them.”
Prather’s thoughtful presence is described as essential to the department’s daily operations. They are often the first point of contact for students, faculty, and visitors, greeting them with kindness and enthusiasm. According to the nomination letter, student workers feel supported and valued under Prather’s guidance, while faculty rely on their steady problem-solving — whether troubleshooting a printer, setting up classroom equipment, preparing materials for meetings, or quietly resolving issues before anyone else is aware of them.
What truly distinguishes Prather is that their work is never transactional, the nomination notes. They consistently go out of their way to ensure others feel welcome and valued, bringing a sense of joy that has significantly improved morale and strengthened the department’s sense of community.
Prather’s professional background reflects the depth they bring to their role. With an MA–B in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership from UW–Madison’s Bolz Center for Arts Administration and earlier experience in English language education, their commitment to creativity, education, and community is clear. Outside the university, Prather also plays an active role in the Madison arts community in positions with Four Seasons Theatre and the Madison Gamer Symphony Orchestra.
For their commitment to excellence, service to the university community, and exceptional generosity of spirit, we are proud to honor Sydney Prather with the University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award.
Patrick Smyczek
Tandem Press
Patrick Smyczek has served as a printer at Tandem Press since 2024, where he has shown an exceptional level of expertise, dedication, and leadership. His deep knowledge of screenprinting is “matched by his ability to manage highly complex projects with precision and care,” writes Tandem Director Katie Geha.
Support letters describe Smyczek as a printer whose technical mastery, intellectual rigor, and creative problem solving place him “among the most accomplished printers working today.” Artist Derrick Adams, who has collaborated with Smyczek on numerous print editions, notes that his execution “redefines what is possible through screenprinting.”
Smyczek’s approach reflects a profound understanding of screenprinting and a willingness to push its boundaries, writes James R. Wehn, curator of works on paper at the Chazen Museum of Art. He treats the artform as a space for experimentation, “exploring color, layering, and process in ways that expand what contemporary screenprinting can achieve.” David Love, a printmaking technician, adds that the work produced at Tandem since Smyczek’s arrival “emphasizes vibrant color and exemplifies top-tier quality printmaking.”
Beyond his technical achievements, Smyczek is an exceptional collaborator and leader within the studio. Geha writes that “artists repeatedly seek him out for his insight, his responsiveness, and his ability to translate their ideas into print.” Wehn notes that Smyczek’s experience and insight often shape final works in significant ways. He “exemplifies the collaborative print model at its best — where printer and artist engage as true partners in the creation of significant works of art.”
Smyczek is described as “a pleasure to work with,” bringing a calm, thoughtful, and fun presence. He plays a vital role in supporting Tandem’s broader mission by contributing to workflow planning, upholding rigorous production standards, and mentoring graduate project assistants.
For these reasons, we are proud to honor Patrick Smyczek with the University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award.
Dick & Julie Daly Award for Education Student Staff Achievement
The Dick & Julie Daly Award for Education Student Staff Achievement recognizes a recipient who presents a positive image of the School through exceptional work and demonstrates creativity, problem-solving, excellent customer service, or other activities that go beyond the ordinary expectations of their role as a student hourly worker.
Natalie Thuente
Dean’s Office/Building Services
A senior graduating this spring, Natalie Thuente has become a warm and welcoming presence in the School of Education’s Dean’s Office Administration. Since joining the Building Services team in the fall of her sophomore year, she has distinguished herself through her reliability, professionalism, and genuine care for the people around her.
At the Building Services desk, Thuente is often the first point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In that role, she represents the School with kindness, patience, and a strong commitment to helping others. Whether answering questions, solving technical issues, preparing spaces for events, or assisting colleagues with day-to-day needs, she approaches every task with initiative and attention to detail.
Colleagues note that Thuente consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of a student employee. Her ability to listen carefully, think creatively, and collaborate with others makes her an effective problem-solver and a trusted member of the Dean’s Office Administration team. Faculty emeritus Clif Conrad describes Thuente as “exceptional,” noting that she brings “hospitality, kindness, openness, and humor to the workplace.”
Just as important as the work she does is the spirit she brings to it. Through her friendliness, generosity, and willingness to help wherever needed, Thuente helps create a welcoming environment that strengthens the sense of community within the Education Building.
For these reasons and many more, we are honored to present Natalie Thuente with the Dick & Julie Daly Award for Student Staff Achievement.
Community of Excellence Award
The Community of Excellence Award annually recognizes SoE faculty and staff who have made significant contributions toward building a welcoming and accessible School of Education. It includes a monetary award.
Tricia Dusick
Center for Community and Well Being
Since joining the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2018, Tricia Dusick has played a vital role in strengthening community and supporting graduate students across the School of Education. As Graduate Program Manager and steward of the Educational Graduate Research Scholars (EdGRS) fellowship, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can thrive.
Dusick first joined the School as project manager for the WCER Fellows Program and the Interdisciplinary Training Program. When the WCER Fellows initiative launched, she helped build the program from the ground up—shaping its structure, coordinating programming, and ensuring that students received the support they needed both academically and personally. When that model later expanded to serve the broader EdGRS community, her leadership helped extend these wraparound supports to graduate students across the School’s departments.
Colleagues consistently point to Dusick’s remarkable dedication to students. She has developed resources to help new students navigate life in Madison, served as a trusted point of contact when challenges arise, and enthusiastically shared in students’ successes and milestones. Professor Percival Matthews writes that Dusick “quickly became the heart and soul of the program,” adding that she serves as “the glue that held the program together.”
Through her tireless efforts, Dusick has helped build a supportive graduate student community that bridges departments and cohorts, strengthening the School of Education as a whole.
For these reasons and many more, we are honored to present Tricia Dusick with the Community of Excellence Award.
Wisconsin Idea Award
This award highlights the importance of community-engaged scholarship — which resonates with the spirit and intent of the Wisconsin Idea. This vital work advances the Wisconsin Idea to a new level of partnership and reciprocity.
Carlyn Mueller
Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
Dr. Carlyn Mueller exemplifies the Wisconsin Idea through scholarship and partnership that make a meaningful difference for young people with disabilities across our state. Since joining the School of Education, her work has centered the voices and lived experiences of disabled youth and advanced a vision of education that recognizes disability as a powerful identity rooted in community and culture.
A signature example of Dr. Mueller’s work is her leadership with the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum, a week-long residential leadership program serving high school students with disabilities from across Wisconsin. As co-director, she has helped strengthen and expand the program by securing funding, supporting staff and student selection, and ensuring the program’s success year after year. Her leadership has helped sustain the program and extend its reach, supporting youth as they develop leadership skills, explore higher education and careers, and engage in civic life.
Dr. Mueller’s work with the Youth Leadership Forum also reflects the best of community-engaged scholarship. Through grant-funded research on disability pride and identity development, she has strengthened the program’s curriculum while documenting its positive impact on participants. Jennifer Neugart, staff liaison to the Youth Leadership Forum, notes that Dr. Mueller’s work demonstrates an exceptional ability to “integrate scholarly inquiry with direct community benefit.”
Through sustained partnership, thoughtful leadership, and research that serves communities across Wisconsin, Dr. Mueller’s work brings the Wisconsin Idea to life.
For these reasons and many more, we are honored to present Dr. Carlyn Mueller with the Wisconsin Idea Award.
Special Thanks
The Ann Wallace Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Awards are sponsored by Ann Wallace. The Faculty Achievement Awards and the University Staff Distinguished Achievement Award are supported by the Charles Read Recognition Fund. The Student Staff Achievement Awards are funded by a gift from Jo Ann Carr (Dick & Julie Daly Award for Education Student Staff Achievement) and gifts to the School of Education. The Excellence in Diversity Award and the Community-Engaged Scholarship Award are supported by gifts to the School of Education.