Donna Schneider wins the April 2023 Golden Paw Employee Month Award

DSA News
May 16, 2023

Donna Schneider, sign language interpreter at the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center has been awarded the Golden Paw Employee of the Month Award for April 2023.

Donna is an amazing colleague in the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center (JDSAC) who is being recognized for going above and beyond in her position as Sign Language Interpreter. Donna has spent countless hours preparing for the classes and events she interprets. She exceeds her position's expectations by purchasing and reading every book assigned to the literature classes she interprets for.

Donna was nominated by the Assistant Director for Communication Access, Christie Penzien, who is her colleague at the JDSAC. Penzien described how Donna prepared for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s (CDI) Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration event with guest speaker, Yusef Salaam. Penzien was extremely impressed with how Donna threw herself into preparing for the event when no other interpreters were available and with little notice. Penzien explained “Donna spent an entire weekend watching “When They See Us” and studied all available research materials that were provided by the CDI. Donna also took the initiative to research the speaker, Dr. Salaam, to ensure she provided a conceptionally accurate and clear interpretation of the event.”

These are just a few examples of how Donna is always willing to go above and beyond in every event and lecture she interprets. Donna truly exemplifies the Division of Student Affairs' values and commitment to student success.

We are proud to congratulate Donna on being named the April 2023 Golden Paw Employee of the Month Award winner.