Rosemary Burns Velez receives Courtney Award for outstanding Service to University Senate Governance

Rosemary Burns Velez, received the 2026 Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance. She was one of three people to receive the award this year.

The Courtney Award “recognizes faculty, academic professional and administrative staff, civil service staff and students systemwide who have made a significant impact on University Senate governance.”  Up to one individual from each group is recognized annually, chosen by a selection committee.

Burns Velez served as department administrator for the Department of Primary Dental Care for eight years before becoming executive assistant to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine in May. As department administrator for primary dental care, Burns Velez provided “leadership, direct supervision and mentoring to the Department of Primary Dental Care’s administrative staff,” she explained. In addition to her role, Burns Velez is the chair of the University’s Civil Service Senate, as well as chair of the Civil Service Consultative Committee. 

Burns Velez has been a member of University governance for many years, beginning as a member of the Civil Service Communications Subcommittee. “I felt that I could contribute to that subcommittee,” she explained. With the encouragement and support of her fellow committee members, Burns Velez decided to run  for the Senate. She values participation in the Senate because of the voice it gives to employees, helping to represent them at the University level.

This year, Burns Velez has worked with Senate members as Chair to fill the Senate to its capacity and engage in actions that members feel are most important. “Being the Chair of the Civil Service Senate has reminded me that in a large organization, no one does anything alone,” she explained. “At the University, you can’t do big things unless you have a strong, motivated team with you. After this experience, I also feel more confident speaking with groups of people of all ranks, including the University President."

Burns Velez said she was honored and humbled to receive the award: “humbled because I recognize that anything I achieved in the Senate was done with the help of a team, and honored because I was nominated by an amazing group of my peers on the Civil Service Senate.”