KU Staff Senate announces inaugural awards

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Staff Senate has announced the recipients of its inaugural 2026 Staff Senate Awards.

• Michelle Wilson is the recipient of the Staff Senator Innovation Award. She is the assistant director of academic and professional development for TRIO SES & STEM as well as a lecturer for the Institute for Leadership Studies. Wilson is a staff senator and Staff Senate Public Relations Committee Chair.
• Sean Barker is the recipient of the Staff Senate Integrity Award. He is a project manager with Project & Organizational Change Management. He is a member of the Staff Senate CARE Committee.

These awards honor exceptional leadership and commitment to KU’s IRISE values: integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship and excellence.

Recipients will be recognized at the Staff Senate Connection Session at 4 p.m. April 8 in the Kansas Union Big 12 Room as part of the 2026 Staff Professional Development Conference. Awards will be presented during the first 15-20 minutes of the session.