Caronne Rush, an academic coordinator and administrative assistant to the chair in the department of environmental and global health, is considered an “irreplaceable” member of the EGH-PHHP family, nominators said.
Rush has taken a leading role in a number of initiatives that have improved department functions and communications. These include redesigning the process for graduate application reviews; updating the department website and promotional materials; traveling with a group of One Health certificate students to Kenya and providing all administrative support for the trip; creating a “Monday Morning Minute” update email for employees and students; establishing an EGH student council; and planning a number of events designed to enhance the sense of community within the department.
“She has done wonders to bring people together and allow them to feel a part of the EGH family,” a colleague wrote. “Students feel like they now have a home within their program that goes beyond the ‘once a semester’ meeting with their advisor. Caronne has spearheaded these efforts and has done so with passion and care.”
Rush serves as the primary interface with the department’s more than 50 graduate students, helping them navigate the many day-to-day issues that affect students.
“If she notices that a new student may be struggling to adjust, she reaches out to them to find out how she can make their life easier,” a student wrote. “When students stop by her office, she pauses whatever she is working on to answer questions, help solve a problem or just to chat and make students feel valued.”
Sharla Alexander of the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences was also chosen as