Kennesaw State recognizes outstanding staff at awards luncheon

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 6, 2022

Oxana Levitskaya, budget analyst in the Office of Fiscal Services, received the Outstanding Owl Award on Wednesday during Kennesaw State’s annual staff awards luncheon. The award is considered one that encompasses most of KSU staff’s mission, goals and values.

Staff awards
Oxana Levitskaya, left, and President Kathy Schwaig
Levitskaya will receive $7,000 along with the award.

She was recognized by her supervisors and peers as a go-to resource who goes to extraordinary lengths to make others feel valued and help them understand how the fiscal services office supports the University’s mission and vision. She was one of five staff members who received awards at the event, from areas of the University including academic advising, administration, leadership, recreation and student affairs.

“Our staff are central to carrying out the mission of this institution, and we are profoundly grateful to them and appreciate their passion and dedication to our students and the University,” said Kennesaw State President Kathy Schwaig. “I also want to thank the KSU Foundation for their generous support of these awards. Congratulations to all of our honorees.” 

Levitskaya said she was honored to be recognized and added that her work is made easier by the people around her.

“I love my job, and I love the people I work with,” she said. “That makes it easier to do a good job.”

KSU Staff Awards
From left, President Kathy Schwaig, Rebecca Davis, Oxana Levitskaya, Vanessa Bard, Bonna Lenyszyn and Nigel Harris.

Other winners included:

  • Positive Impact/Service to the Community Award ($4,000) – Bonna Lenszyn, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program manager in the Disabilities Services unit within Student Affairs
  • Excellence in Innovation Award ($4,000) – Rebecca Davis, associate director of strategic planning and analysis for auxiliary administration within Campus Services
  • Student Success Impact Award ($4,000) – Vanessa Bard, senior academic advisor and transfer specialist in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
  • Outstanding Leadership Award ($5,000) – Nigel Harris, director of recreational programs within the Sports and Recreation department of Student Affairs

The awards process is managed by KSU’s Human Resources department. Nominations are submitted by supervisors and staff members and reviewed by a committee composed of representatives from across the University, including KSU’s Staff Senate.

– By Thomas Hartwell

Photos by Judith Pishnery


Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.