CSSAC honors 2 staff members for support, service

The Campus Support Staff Advisory Committee presented its 2025 CSSAC Excellence Awards to Scott Haan and Brad Neff during a May 27 ceremony.

Awarded annually, the CSSAC Excellence Award recognizes two benefits-eligible support and service staff members who go above and beyond in their roles, demonstrate exemplary leadership skills and provide outstanding customer service. The award consists of a plaque and a $1,500 honorarium.

As a lead administrative assistant for recruitment and outreach in the College of Agriculture, Haan’s primary responsibility lies in expertly coordinating custom visits for prospective students and their families. Haan regularly navigates complex schedules, last-minute changes and special requests as he schedules meetings between visitors and academic advisors and organizes guided tours, all with the goal of making everyone feel valued, welcomed and cared for.

His personable nature, keen eye for detail and commitment to providing outstanding service have helped him coordinate nearly 3,200 visits over the past seven years. Haan’s work also supports key recruitment initiatives like Purdue’s for Me, Introducing Purdue and the National FFA Convention and Expo — the latter being aided by his ability to arrange multiple daily large group tours for the 800-plus prospective students who attend each year.

Haan’s colleagues describe him as a role model within the Office of Academic Programs and someone they turn to for anything, whether it’s a helping hand, words of encouragement or a perfectly timed joke.

“Beyond his outstanding work ethic, Scott brings humor and positivity to every interaction, making even the toughest days a blast,” one nominator wrote. “I frequently hear praise from visitors and colleagues across the college about his exemplary customer service. Scott’s contributions make a lasting difference, and he is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Neff was nominated for his exemplary leadership, exceptional work ethic and commitment to excellence as a mason for Operations and Maintenance.

Whether he’s installing banners on campus buildings, repairing limestone or sealing and caulking Purdue’s iconic red bricks, Neff’s professionalism, integrity and dedication always pave the way for top-notch results.

In addition to being highly skilled in his trade, Neff is a passionate advocate for workplace safety. As a safety chair within Operations and Maintenance, Neff has played a crucial role in improving roof ladder access for campus buildings, raising awareness about rooftop antenna safety, minimizing employees’ exposure to radio waves and conducting fall protection inspections on equipment.

When challenges arise, Neff takes a thoughtful approach to solving them, ensuring each decision will lead to long-term success and continuous improvement. His forward-thinking mindset is continually commended by his colleagues and customers, who admire the care he puts into maintaining the West Lafayette campus.

“Brad is a team player who leads with empathy, dedication and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” one nominator wrote. “His ability to connect with colleagues, mentor others and uphold the highest standards of quality and safety make him an exceptional role model within our organization. His leadership and service embody the very essence of the CSSAC Excellence Award, and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

More information about the award, including a list of past recipients, can be found on the CSSAC Excellence Award webpage.