Congratulations to Stephanie Six, this year’s recipient of the Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award! This award honors a support staff employee who goes “above and beyond” in the job at MSU while pursuing a graduate degree concurrent with their employment.
Stephanie Six is the Administrative Business Professional for Global Health Studies and Global Health Institute within the College of Osteopathic Medicine and has worked at MSU for more than 15 years. She is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Technology from Central Michigan University.
You can watch the moment Stephanie discovered she was this year’s award recipient on YouTube.
Colleagues consistently describe Stephanie as a trusted leader with a ‘can do’ attitude who combines deep institutional knowledge with empathy, professionalism, and humor. She was instrumental in launching the MS in Global Health in record time, developing policies, procedures, and systems that ensured both academic rigor and an inclusive, student-centered experience. One nominator noted that she managed the work of several positions during the program’s early growth, always ‘with enthusiasm and grace.’
Stephanie’s commitment to going above and beyond is reflected not only in her work but in her personal pursuit of excellence. While working full-time, she is completing a doctoral degree in Educational Technology, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and directly applying what she learns to strengthen online teaching, assessment, and accessibility practices within her unit. Faculty credit her with helping them navigate learning technologies, improve course design, and ensure equitable learning environments for diverse students.
Above all, Stephanie is deeply committed to students. She developed and leads orientation and onboarding supports for adult and online learners, meets individually with students to connect them to resources, and consistently advocates for inclusive and trauma-informed practices. Even while managing significant personal health challenges, she continues to take on additional responsibilities and ensure students and colleagues feel supported and valued. As one colleague shared, Stephanie ‘approaches all of her work with excellence, patience, and genuine care.’
The Awards Ceremony
On May 12, Stephanie was honored at an awards ceremony at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center that also included the Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition and Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff awards. Ray Gasser, committee chair, acknowledged Stephanie’s hard work and achievements during the ceremony. A recording of the whole event is available below or on YouTube.
In the event space at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Stephanie Six, 2026 recipient of the Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award, hugs a colleague. 
At the podium, Stephanie gives her remarks accepting the 2026 Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award. 
Stephanie poses with her certificate and university President, Kevin Guskiewicz and committee chair Ray Gasser. 
Stephanie’s table at the awards event, featuring her plaque and personal items. 
Stephanie poses with colleagues and her certificate at the awards event photo booth. 
Stephanie in the photo booth at the awards event.
We’d also like to thank the selection committee members for this award: Chairperson Ray Gasser, Nancy Craig, Shelby Gombosi, Tammi Harmon, Mike Rice, and Joan Smith. We greatly appreciate your time and effort!
About the Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award
The annual Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” award recognizes a support staff member who most closely exemplifies the contributions, personal characteristics, and commitment to MSU demonstrated by Ms. Jameyson, going “above and beyond” what is reasonably expected to support the mission of MSU. In recognition of Ms. Jameyson’s pursuit of a graduate degree while working at MSU, the award recipient must be pursuing a graduate degree at MSU or elsewhere, concurrent with their employment at MSU.
Ms. Ruth Jameyson, who died in 2007 at the age of 100 years served as secretary to MSU President Robert S. Shaw from 1938 to 1941 and secretary/administrative assistant to President John A. Hannah from 1941 to 1969. She served as both greeter and gatekeeper to the numerous students, faculty, and staff seeking to meet Dr. Hannah, as well as dignitaries from around the globe. Ms. Jameyson accepted roles and responsibilities far beyond her formal job description. Having arrived in Lansing with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Coe College, Iowa, Ms. Jameyson pursued a master’s in economics at MSU while working full-time. Learn more on the HR web page, Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award.
This award has been created and funded by friends of Ruth Jameyson: Barbara Sawyer-Koch, MSU trustee emerita, and Donald F. Koch, MSU professor emeritus.
All photo credits: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto
All video credit: Cheeney Media Concepts