Brittain earns AP Achievement Award

April 18, 2023 (Volume 46, Number 16)
Article by Michele Coffill

Mary Brittain, left, accepts an award from Pam Wells

President Mantella, at left, shakes the hand of Chris Babbitt

two people standing next to each other, person on left holds large framed certificate

Shannon Owen stands in front of room in blue jacket

two people walking to a podium laughing, a projected screen in background

Bobby Springer stands in front of room, screen projected in background

President Philomena Mantella stands next to Bill

At left, Mary Brittain, associate director of Admissions and Recruitment, receives the AP Achievement Award, from Pam Wells, associate vice president and registrar.

Photo Credit: Lauren Seymour

Mary Brittain, associate director of Admissions and Recruitment, received the AP Achievement Award from the Administrative Professional Committee during an awards luncheon April 11 in the Kirkhof Center.

The award is the highest honor presented to an AP staff member. Brittain started working at Grand Valley more than 40 years ago in an entry-level position. Nomination letters called Brittain a leader with an amazing work ethic.

"Successfully admitting students is both critical and complex work. Mary has shown tremendous leadership dealing with change, problem-solving, and innovation," one nominator wrote.

Other award recipients are listed below.

Commitment to Students Award: Chris Babbitt, assistant director of the Career Center
Commitment to Diversity Award: Bobby Springer, director of K-12 Pathways and associate director of TRIO Veterans Upward Bound
Innovation Award: Melissa Selby-Theut, associate director of University Counseling Center and director of prevention and community education, who led implementation of mental health kiosks on campus
Outstanding Advising and Student Services Award: Emily Davis, CLAS Advising Center
Service to Community Awards: Shannon Owen, director of GVSU’s northern Michigan programs at the Traverse City Regional Center; and Bill Widmaier, associate registrar
Outstanding Team Project Award: The Slate Implementation Team of Jennifer Allard, Philip Batty, Jared Bravewater, Mary Brittain, Katherine Fay, Tracey James-Heer, Thomas Pikes, Ben Rapin, Melanie Retberg, Brandon Ridge, Jesse Roe, Daniel Slaughter, Vicky Thelen and Nick Viau

More information about award recipients is on the AP Committee website.