Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences

Main navigation

  • Academics

    Programs

    Undergraduate Programs Master's Programs Doctoral Program Graduate Certificate Programs

    Academic Support

    Advising Career Development Academic Policies Courses Scholarships and Fellowships
  • Research

    Research

    Research Areas Research Centers & Labs Undergraduate Research Opportunities

    Faculty & Researchers

    Faculty Directory Faculty Achievements

    Engage

    Research News Distinguished Lecturer Series Rising Stars in Computer Science Lecture Series
  • Community

    On-Campus

    Diversity and Inclusion Student Organizations Massenberg Summer STEM Program Awards Programs Senior Celebration

    External

    Alumni Support CICS
  • People
    Full A-Z Directory Faculty Staff
  • About

    Overview

    College Overview Leadership Our New Building

    News & Events

    News & Stories Events Calendar

    Connect

    Visiting CICS Contact Us Employment Offices & Services
  • Info For
    Current Undergraduate Students Current Graduate Students Faculty and Staff Newly Accepted Undergraduate Students

Jennifer Donelson Honored with 2025 Outstanding Staff Achievement Award

Content

May 5, 2025
Awards

Jennifer Donelson, assistant director of human resources in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), has been selected to receive the 2024-2025 College Outstanding Staff Achievement Award, given annually to an individual or team in recognition significant contributions to the college while fostering a positive and successful environment.

Nomination letters cited Donelson’s improvements to the college’s onboarding process, including her expansion of the process to include postdocs and research fellows, as well as the number of touchpoints for new employees and their supervisors.

“Jennie has worked really hard to improve staff satisfaction in our college,” says Jessica Fill, CICS assistant dean of human resources. “The onboarding programs that our human resources team has, and the most recent improvements that Jennie has made to them, really allow us to stand out across campus. I really believe that an employee’s experience during their first few weeks and months on the job can make or break their overall experience and has a direct correlation to our retention rates in the college; Jennie is a key player in this!”

In addition to supporting the onboarding of new staff, Donelson also helped improve and expand the college’s staff mentoring program. Nomination materials also acknowledge how her role within the college has grown, and that she has dealt with complex personnel issues with care and compassion.

“Jennie truly cares about all of our employees; she wants to ensure their onboarding and long-term experience is positive and that we’re always working to improve,” says Laura Haas, Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean of CICS. “She has shown increasing judgement and maturity in dealing with complex personnel issues, finding and arranging coaching as needed for managers and employees, and raising morale through arranging cards, gifts, and staff socials. Jennie always has a smile and a positive attitude that is really infectious. She makes a huge difference in the dean’s suite and with many staff, researchers, and students by always being there for us, always willing to help, and always with a can-do attitude.”

“I feel extremely honored to have been selected for this award, especially considering how many amazing, accomplished staff members we have in the college,” says Donelson. “I am so glad that my contributions have made a positive impact, and I will keep looking for new ways to engage and support our wonderful colleagues. I am surrounded by genuine, kind, and intelligent people and am very grateful to be part of this wonderful community.”

Donelson holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As the assistant director of human resources, she provides HR-related guidance and support to members of the college and manages various aspects of staff recruitment, onboarding, engagement, classification, training, and leaves. She joined CICS in 2018. 

For more information about the College Outstanding Staff Award and a list of previous recipients, see: https://www.cics.umass.edu/awards-programs.

Article posted in Awards

Site footer

Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on Instagram
  • Find us on Flickr
  • Find us on Bluesky Social
Address

140 Governors Dr
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

  • Visit CICS
  • Give
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Events Calendar
  • Offices & Services

Info For

  • Current Undergraduate Students
  • Current Graduate Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Newly Accepted Undergraduate Students

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use