Engineering Technology’s Niedra Davey wins 2025 Martin Award

When Niedra Davey heard a VIP was set to visit the Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s School of Engineering Technology office one January morning, she wondered who it could be.

Her supervisor had told all staff members to be present for the occasion, which struck Davey as odd. Shouldn’t she have been looped into the planning? Do others know who it is?

The morning began like any other, but Davey’s curiosity and confusion gave way to utter surprise when she walked into the office lobby to find every one of her co-workers and a photographer, all there to celebrate her — the VIP.

“I was totally shocked. I had no idea,” said Davey, lead administrative assistant in the School of Engineering Technology. “At first it didn’t really sink in because I was like, ‘What is going on?’ But that night at home I was just filled with gratitude. It’s definitely a day I will never forget.”

Davey was named the 2025 winner of the Eudoxia Girard Martin Memorial Staff Recognition Award, an annual honor that recognizes a full-time administrative assistant at Purdue’s West Lafayette location who performs their work with a special sense of care for and helpfulness to faculty, staff and students. The award was presented by Amy Boyle, vice president of Human Resources, and consists of a medallion, a framed description of Eudoxia Girard Martin’s life and a $1,000 honorarium.

Davey has been supporting graduate students in the School of Engineering Technology for more than a decade. She expertly handles all aspects of graduate education — from admissions and onboarding to advising and academic processes — and always ensures that each person who steps through the door is met with a warm welcome and sent off with a solution and a smile.

“What sets Niedra apart is her character,” one nominator wrote. “She leads with heart, mind and spirit, consistently showing helpfulness, integrity and compassion. She anticipates needs, supports colleagues and fosters a positive community, embodying the very qualities this award honors.”

Her sincerity is present in every interaction with students, whether she’s thoroughly answering a question, intently listening to concerns or earnestly advocating for their success. Students are always at the top of her mind, to such a degree that she’s taken on additional responsibilities to help realize their academic and professional success.

Davey recently helped develop training sessions for graduate teaching assistants so they step into their roles feeling supported and also assisted in establishing an end-of-semester review process that serves as an outlet for their professional growth and reflection. She even set aside time to pursue certification in Mental Health First Aid — a true reflection of her devotion to students’ well-being.

Knowing full well that student success is rooted in faculty and staff support, Davey also goes above and beyond to help everybody around her. Even seemingly simple tasks like ordering supplies, handling reimbursements and managing purchasing for research faculty are executed with exceptional accuracy, making the jobs held by those around her a whole lot easier.

“Niedra is a key contributor to the school’s cohesive culture,” one nominator wrote. “She is always ready to lend a hand during busy times, to cover another’s desk when needed and to look for ways to bring joy into the office. The Martin Award is tailor-made for recognizing the depth of Niedra’s commitment to her colleagues and our students.”

The impact of Davey’s work can be felt across the entire school, and she takes pride in knowing that her efforts are meaningful to others. After all, those are the same people who make her feel like a VIP every day.

“I’m just so thankful and feel very lucky that I get to work with and have the support of such great people,” Davey said. “It’s about building those relationships and knowing that they can always count on me.”