The University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) honored two UCCS employees during the virtual Staff Excellence awards ceremony, which recognized 10 employees across the CU system.
Heather Allen, executive assistant to the vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor for student affairs, and Aaron Burton, campus policy and space usage program manager, were both honored with Excellence Awards. The annual awards recognize CU employees who go above and beyond their job duties and consistently surpass expectations.
Chancellor Venkat Reddy congratulated both recipients at the award ceremony.
“From my own experience, I can say that Aaron is both dedicated and selfless,” Reddy remarked. “The work he does is not easy. He navigates this work with skill and diplomacy, working to find solutions that are a win-win for everyone. He has meticulous attention to detail and a laser-focus on his work. And he is always upbeat, with a can-do attitude about any challenge.”
“Heather is a joy to work with,” Reddy continued. “She is conscientious, with a superb attention to detail and an outstanding work ethic. She has supported operations across the university and has been a true asset to the Student Affairs division. She is always positive, lives by the UCCS core values and is always there to help – no matter what the challenge may be. I have been so proud to see her shine at UCCS.”
“The staff, faculty and students who make up a university determine its culture. For that reason, and many more, I am so pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of Heather and Aaron,” Reddy said.
Allen and Burton both received a plaque and $250 award. The event also included a keynote address by Susan Heinzeroth, who lectures at the CU Denver Business School.
Heather Allen ’20 joined UCCS in 2014 and is currently the executive assistant to the vice chancellor and assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. Allen’s passion for serving and taking care of others has always been a part of who she is. An army veteran, Heather was awarded Soldier of the Quarter during her time in the military and was honorably discharged after serving two deployments in Iraq (’03, ’05-’06). She has also held roles in University Advancement at UCCS.
Allen enjoys volunteering her time working with the AFROTC program, as chair of the Student Achievement Award Committee and with multiple areas of the UCCS commencement ceremonies. She is a UCCS alumna, having earned her bachelor’s in communications in May 2020.
Aaron Burton joined UCCS in 2017 as the campus policy and space usage program manager. An Air Force veteran, he spent 15 years in aircraft fabrication and engineering and as a production superintendent on multiple fighter, tanker, rescue and special operations aircraft. In his role at UCCS, Burton coordinates campus policy review and development between the regent, system and campus levels with the UCCS chancellor, vice chancellors, deans, directors and governance groups. He also collaborates with campus leaders to meet academic and departmental space needs.
Outside of work, Burton enjoys all things fitness, traveling and exploring new sights and cultures with his wife, a UCCS health sciences faculty member, and his two daughters, a UCCS freshman and a Lewis-Palmer Middle School Patriot.
Learn more about Allen, Burton and the 10 recipients of the Staff Excellence awards in CU Connections.