CAUSA named winner of 2026 Team Excellence Award

Team Excellence Award winners and Honorable Mention teams were recognized at The Founding Celebration on February 19, 2026.

The Coalition Advocating for Undocumented Student Achievement (CAUSA) team was named the winners of the 2026 Team Excellence Award, with Honorable Mentions going to two teams - the Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification Team and the Redbird Fresh Market Team.

1st place - Coalition Advocating for Undocumented Student Achievement (CAUSA)

Nominator: Peggy Finnegan-Boyes, College of Education

CAUSA is an intercollegiate team of Illinois State faculty and staff who collaborate to support students from immigrant and mixed status families. CAUSA was founded in 2016, and team members have been working consistently for a decade to provide information and resources to students, faculty and staff.

Team members facilitate ongoing weekly town hall meetings for students, many of whom are experiencing immense stress due to current immigration policies. CAUSA has created a welcoming and safe environment where students are encouraged to share, learn, and build community. Team members continue to educate students about available resources at Illinois State and generously provide a listening ear each week.

Team Members:

• Dr. Maura Toro-Morn, Director of Latin American and Latino Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
• Dr. Rocio Rivadeneyra, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success
• Dr. Juliet Lynd, Chair of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Samantha Vazquez, Students' Attorney
• Melissa Ramirez-Osorio, Academic Advisory, Recruiter, and Student Success Coach
• Ana Lisa Eberline, Program Student Advisor, Julia N. Visor Center

Honorable Mention - Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification Team

Nominator: Dr. Katy Strzepek, Center for Civic Engagement

Team Members:

• Rachel Waring-Sparks, Assistant Director of Assessment, Center for Civic Engagement
• Katy Strzepek, Director, Center for Civic Engagement
• Janet Tulley, Associate Dean, WKCFA
• Rocio Rivadeneyra, Associate Dean, CAS
• Tamra Connor, Associate Dean, COB (at time work was completed, now faculty)
• Kirsten Clerkin, Faculty, Mennonite College of Nursing
• James Applegate, Retired Faculty, College of Education
• Hannah Johnson, Community Partner, Past Director of Illinois Art Station
• Chad Kahl, Staff, Milner Library
• Kara Snyder, Assistant Dean, College of Applied Science and Technology

Honorable Mention - Redbird Fresh Market

Nominator: Christine Bruckner, Office of Sustainability

Team Members:

• Elisabeth Reed, Director, Office of Sustainability
• Jeff Vargo, Senior Assistant Director, EMDH
• Christine Bruckner, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability
• Ryleigh Hickman, Graduate Assistant
• Tommy Fox, Sustainability Student Manager, Office of Sustainability

The Illinois State University Team Excellence Award was established in 1997 to recognize collaborative efforts of a group demonstrating exemplary teamwork. Groups that worked during the previous year are announced and recognized annually. Awards recognize a departmental unit or cross-unit work group that has facilitated, promoted, or demonstrated one or more of our institutional values through their collaborative efforts. The criteria for selection focus upon the efficient use of fiscal and human resources to meet University goals and objectives that enhance the quality of our collective lives.