.Student Life Inspiring Leaps Awardees
The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life has recognized Tanya Bailey, member services clerk for Purdue Recreation & Wellness (RecWell), and Courtney Wininger, assistant director - aquatic programs and safety education for RecWell, as the inaugural winners of the Inspiring Leaps: Student Life Staff Awards.
After her supervisor’s transfer to another area several years ago, Bailey learned Fusion, RecWell’s new operating system, and became the department’s expert on the program. She is recognized for her excellence in optimizing resources to keep RecWell’s equipment sales area fully stocked and competitively priced with equipment available for purchase or rent by RecWell members. She also processes student payroll and is lauded by her coworkers for her expertise in all aspects of member services.
“Tanya is truly a gem of the CoRec and we would be hard-pressed to function without her,” wrote Bailey’s nominator. “She is a pro at soothing frustrated or angry members and is always thinking outside the box to find solutions to any problem that arises. Tanya radiates joy, always has a smile on her face and never complains.”
Wininger is a Purdue graduate who also worked for RecWell as an undergraduate. She willingly offered to take on the role of lifeguard supervisor not long after she arrived and now supervises a 100-person lifeguard staff as well as aquatic programming staff, ranging from learn to swim instructors to safety education staff. Wininger has more than doubled the lifeguard staff since the COVID-19 pandemic created a national lifeguard shortage. She is also recognized for developing leaders on her team and her advocacy for her staff, particularly for removing financial barriers for students who want to pursue their lifeguard certification.
“To work with Courtney is to know and see that she loves her job, her students and Purdue,” wrote her nominator. “Her pride in her work is evident in all that she does. She consistently encourages student learning and leadership development, includes students and other staff in decisions and builds community. She is a steward of resources, time and people, as well as working toward building unity in our programs, processes and procedures, and amongst our staff.
The Inspiring Leaps: Student Life Staff Awards are a Student Life employee award program that recognizes outstanding contributions and excellence in the areas of Steps to Leaps, inclusion & belonging, and organizational and operational excellence. All regular Student Life employees, including Business Office, Human Resources and Information Technology, are eligible. Awards are bestowed three times annually. One management/professional staff and one service/support staff member are honored during each award period.
Staff and students are encouraged to nominate outstanding staff members for an award. Learn more about the Inspiring Leaps: Student Life Staff Awards and how to nominate here.
Written by: Matthew Vader, Writer, Student Life Marketing