In celebration of the hard work and dedication of its employees, Indiana University of Pennsylvania presented the first “One IUP” Award to the Office of Financial Aid during IUP’s annual Employee Service and Leadership Awards event held on March 26, which also celebrated employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service.
“As we strive to put our students’ needs first, the most essential part of that work is the people who provide the guidance our students need to succeed,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said during the event. “No matter what part of the university you work in, without you, our students might struggle to reach their goals, and I thank you for your service to them.”
The One IUP award was announced by President Driscoll in February, when he invited nominations from the IUP community to honor a team, department, office, or group of employees who have implemented a project and solved a problem that has made a positive impact. To be considered for the One IUP Award, the group must demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration in doing something that benefits one or more of the following: the university, our students, our alumni, friends of IUP, and the greater Indiana region.
“The One IUP Award is not a singular award to one person,” President Driscoll said. “It goes to a group, as it’s together that we will stride confidently into our future,” he said.
From left, IUP President Michael Driscoll, Paula Lucas, Justina Tecak, Deidre Smith, Stephanie Ferraro, Aileen Bowman, Tiffany Potts, Christopher Jackson, Leah Weiland, Kim Anderson, Erin Fritz Wood, Laura Louden. Staff member Kristin Graham is missing from photo.
In presenting the award, President Driscoll noted that one of the many challenges students faced in 2024—and continue to face in 2025—is the new way federal financial aid is applied for, awarded, and distributed. College students and their parents across the country have dealt with confusion and frustration from this new system.
“IUP is no different than any other school in that sense. Our students and families faced obstacles they never saw coming. But what I think is unique is the approach a group of you had to this problem. In our Office of Financial Aid, director Tiffany Potts and her staff didn’t wait for a rescue plan, and they didn’t turn out the lights, hoping nobody would find them. Instead, they did something we are so very proud of: they rolled up their collective sleeves and got to work. They answered every call, replied to every text, and sat with every person who came to them asking for help. And keep in mind these were not always easy interactions to have. There were undoubtedly some passionate parents and students who needed answers, and they wanted them now.”
Director Potts and her team recognized during the event included Kim Anderson, Aileen Bowman, Stephanie Ferraro, Erin Fritz Wood, Kristin Graham, Christopher Jackson, Paula Lucas, Deidre Smith, and Justina Tecak.
“It wasn’t that Tiffany and her staff created some magical solution to the problem. They just chose not to run from it and faced it with dignity and hard work, knowing our students—and, in turn, our university—would be better for it,” President Driscoll said.
“They worked later than required and didn’t use fatigue or scheduled breaks as a reason not to help. Their focus was, and stayed on, being helpers. Because of this group of dedicated IUP employees, many of our students received their financial aid awards on time and began (or continued) their studies without interruption. They lessened the burden on the rest of the university, and we are grateful for it. I know our students and their families are, too,” he said.
In addition to the One IUP Award, a total of 144 employees were honored for reaching milestone years of service; altogether, a total of 2,405 years of service were offered by these employees.
A total of nine employees were honored for completing 35 years of service; 12 employees for completing 30 years of service; 32 employees for 25 years of service; 27 employees for 20 years of service; 26 for 15 years of service; and 38 employees for 10 years of service. A complete listing of employees and years of service is on the IUP website.