University Of Missouri-St. Louis: Tami Davenport, Phil Donato And Chris Sullivan Receive University Of Missouri-St. Louis Hero Awards

Press release from the University of Missouri-St. Louis:

October 1, 2021

University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and her cabinet continue to recognize the exemplary efforts of staff and faculty members from across campus by bestowing the UMSL Hero Award on up to three individuals each month.

This month’s honorees are Tami Davenport, academic advisor; Phil Donato, director of Alumni Engagement; and Chris Sullivan, director of Health, Counseling, Disability Access Services and Campus Health Officer.

Tami Davenport

Tami Davenport didn’t take the traditional path – high school to college to job. She believes her experience is a strength she brings to her role as an UMSL academic advisor with offices at Mineral Area College and Jefferson Community College.

“I was a first-generation college student, dropped out of school, got my GED, put myself through college,” she said. “Most of the students that I work with are non-traditional students, a lot are first-generation students. I’ve had to overcome a lot of the same obstacles, so I’m able to guide them.

“The greatest thing about my job is having a student come and watching them grow through their academics, not only academically but professionally and personally, and seeing them graduate and walk across the stage and know that you did make a difference in someone’s life.”

Helping changing students’ lives and then seeing them go out and impact others and their communities is Davenport’s favorite part of her job.

That keeps her going as she juggles her role’s many responsibilities: recruiting; registering and retaining students; financial aid assistance; counseling; maintaining enrollment information; outreach; serving as liaison to the main campus; and much, much more.

Associate Director of Admissions, Adult and Online Services Olivia Mendez-Alm called out Davenport’s work ethic in her UMSL Hero nomination.

“Tami is a strong and consistent force in the admissions office,” Mendez-Alm wrote. “The work she does with students in our off-campus sites is tireless, but she always has a smile and silly comment to make you feel at eases. She lives the Triton spirit every day, and I am so lucky to be able to work with her.”

Davenport, who has been with UMSL 21 years now, felt surprised when she received an email from Sobolik informing her of the Hero Award.

“I had never received any type of recognition, so I wasn’t expecting it,” Davenport said. “I sincerely appreciate the award and have enjoyed my journey over the years helping students achieve their academic goals.”

Phil Donato

Just a day before Phil Donato was set to board a plane for Jupiter, Florida, to cheer on the Cardinals during an UMSL Office of Alumni Engagement event, the coronavirus pandemic shut down in-person events.

But Donato and the Alumni Office didn’t let that shut them down.

“We just kind of start talking, ‘How could we do something that would help people feel good and engage them at the same time?’” Donato said. “It was such a horrible time, and we wanted to do things that would be fun and interesting.”

In collaboration with UMSL Executive Events, Donato led efforts such as the Crafts in Your Kitchen events that included a beer tasting with local Alpha Brewing and O’Fallon Brewery and a paella cooking demonstration.

Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications Justin Roberts noted Donato’s commitment and creativity in designing those efforts in his nomination of Donato for the UMSL Hero Award.

“Though the challenges of the pandemic made it difficult for our university community to connect, Phil has found creative ways to engage with our outstanding UMSL alumni,” Roberts wrote. “Now, he is working to safely bring our alumni and friends together for in-person events like our signature Night at the Ballpark and new events like the inaugural UMSL Alumni 5K to be held this fall. I appreciate Phil for keeping our university connected and engaged.”

This press release was produced by the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.