Jena Rossman, academic program specialist in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), was selected as a 2025 Outstanding Staff Award recipient. This prestigious university-wide honor recognizes USF employees who go above and beyond in supporting the institution’s mission and student success.
Rossman was nominated by Vivian Maldonado, CSD office administrator, who commended her as an employee who exemplifies USF’s commitment to academic excellence.
"Her leadership in improving the graduate admissions process has helped us better identify top candidates and strengthened our programs," Maldonado wrote.
Attendees at the 2025 Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony.
Rossman played a key role in redesigning the admissions process to include applicant interviews, a change that significantly improved the department’s ability to select strong graduate students. She also supports critical operations across multiple academic programs, ensuring that workflows, schedules, and student needs are managed with precision.
Her above-and-beyond contributions are best illustrated by her coordination of more than 200 graduate admissions interviews in a single day. Maldonado noted, "Jena worked late nights and weekends to make sure everything ran smoothly. Her organizational skills and commitment set her apart."
Known as the department’s go-to problem-solver, Rossman consistently anticipates challenges, streamlines processes, and keeps operations moving. "Her positive attitude and willingness to help make her indispensable," Maldonado added.