Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Staff Member

Senior Instructional Lab Engineer - Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department

Joel is always willing to help students and colleagues. His confident leadership of lab personnel and lab operations and his skills as a listener and an innovator have expanded and improved Washburn Shops. He is passionate about project-based learning and an active supporter of teaching students to help themselves and each other, to their great satisfaction. Enthusiastic in his role and eager to celebrate wins, Joel regularly displays WPI's values to uphold a safe and inclusive environment. Joel received a BSME from MIT and a MEME from Carnegie-Mellon University. Joel holds 5 U.S. patents and authored 2 SAE papers.

Senior Research and Evaluation Associate - Morgan Teaching and Learning Center

As a Research & Evaluation Associate with the Morgan Teaching and Learning Center, Kimberly LeChasseur assists faculty in clarifying, documenting, communicating, and using what they know about the processes and effects of their teaching and research. Kimberly facilitates professional learning about research and evaluation through faculty learning communities and consults with faculty to facilitate scholarly writing and publishing on teaching and learning, co-design and draft evaluation and assessment plans, inform the selection or creation of assessments, and analyze data about the value and areas in need of improvement for faculty- and staff-led projects. Kimberly has a joint appointment with the Center for Project-Based Learning where she will be focusing specifically on WPI’s signature pedagogy and assisting colleges and universities in the shift to project-based classes, programs, and institutions.

2024 Board of Trustees Outstanding Staff Awards | Worcester Polytechnic Institute (wpi.edu)

Associate Director of Student Development and Counseling - Student Development and Counseling

Matt has been with WPI since 2008 when he worked as a clinical intern at the Student Development & Counseling Center before joining the full-time staff. Matt is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and holds an MA in mental health counseling from Boston College. Over his years at WPI Matt has built experience with a range of populations and issues, including competencies working with Greek Life, LGBTQIA+ students (including students exploring gender and gender transition), students involved with the dramatic arts, and students who enjoy gaming and other similar hobbies and interests. More recently, Matt has also had the privilege to work on WPI's Mental Health and Well-being Task Force, looking to enhance the WPI culture of being well together.

Senior Grants and Contracts Manager - Office of Sponsored Programs

Nicole joined WPI in 2017 as a department administrative assistant for Computer Science and joined Sponsored Programs in 2020. She supports specific faculty with complicated grant loads. Before coming to WPI, Nicole taught middle school. She has a BA in History from UMass Dartmouth, with a concentration in European History and Islamic Studies.

2023 Board of Trustees Outstanding Staff Awards | Worcester Polytechnic Institute (wpi.edu)

Director, International Student Life - International House

Colleen has worked with international students at WPI since 2008. She has a bachelor's degree in Global Studies from St. Lawrence University, and a Master's Degree in International Education from the School for International Training. Colleen loves to learn about different parts of the world from her students, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and dog. Every few years you can spot her visiting family in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Executive Assistant I - Undergraduate Academic Advising

As an Executive Assistant I, she supports a variety of Academic Advising initiatives. These include, assigning students to their major/second major and minor advisors. She works with Health Services/Provost Office in sending out medical absence or leave notices to professors for students who cannot attend classes. She also works with and supports the Insight Program. She oversees work-study students and scheduling hours. Additionally, she handles scheduling appointments for students to meet with assigned advisors. Lastly, she handles all incoming phone calls, emails, drop-ins, office supplies and equipment, to maintain the smooth functioning of the office.   

When students come into the office, along with providing them with academic support, she likes to make sure they feel welcomed and have the sense of a home away from home atmosphere. Outside of WPI, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to cook and enjoy crafts.   

Administrative Assistant VI - Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Director, Human Subjects Research and Academic Programs - Vice Provost for Research

Ruth's work spans the WPI campus from advisors to researchers to the classroom. Providing guidance to students, faculty and researchers in the community on the ethical conduct of human subjects research and advising IQP's.  

Machine Shop/Lab Manager - Chemical Engineering

Events Director - Events Office

With almost thirty years of experience supporting WPI events, Bill leads an outstanding team of event planners and staff. In addition to leading the Events Office's many campus initiatives, he manages large campus-wide events and high-visibility programs. 

Director of Disability Support - Student Development & Counseling Center

Copy Editor, Designer - Marketing Communications

Peggy is responsible for the final proofreading and editing of virtually everything the office produces - high level communications, WPI Journal, books, brochures, web pages, flyers, and more. She works with campus partners to ensure grammatical accuracy and a consistent voice, tone, and style.

Operations Manager - Computer Science

Director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs - Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs

Lab Manager III - Biomedical Engineering

Executive Director - Academic Advising

Director of Research Communication - Marketing Communications

Associate Director of Operations & Director, Math Tutoring Center - Mathematical Sciences

Associate Vice President of Admissions & Dean of Admissions - Undergraduate Admissions

Administrative Assistant V - Humanities & Arts

Director of Operations - Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Custodian - Facilities