Nancy Brynildsen Named KU Employee of the Month for March 2026

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Congratulations to Nancy Brynildsen, management technician, Student Success and Academic Excellence, on being named Kutztown University Employee of the Month for March 2026.

Brynildsen's nomination came from several individuals, which can be read below.

Cheryl Brattley, Student Success and Academic Excellence
"As the Starfish Management Technician, Nancy serves as the central point of contact for faculty and staff across campus who rely on the Starfish system to support student success initiatives. In this role, she manages and supports critical university processes including attendance verification, early alert and midterm surveys, daily system operations, faculty and staff trainings and the integration of new system functions. During a period of transition and change, Nancy has been a steady and reliable presence, ensuring that these important systems continue to operate smoothly and effectively for the campus community.

Anyone who has worked with Nancy quickly recognizes her remarkable attention to detail and the genuine care she brings to her work. She cares deeply about her colleagues and about producing work of the highest quality. Nancy consistently ensures that tasks are completed accurately, thoughtfully and on time. At the same time, she anticipates needs and proactively addresses issues before they arise, helping colleagues across campus rely on the systems and processes she manages with confidence.

Nancy also demonstrates a strong commitment to professional growth. She has proactively completed multiple Coursera courses to strengthen her data analytics skills and continues to apply this knowledge to enhance reporting, improve processes and strengthen the university's ability to use data effectively in support of students.

Equally important is the positive spirit Nancy brings to her work every day. Even when navigating personal challenges, she continues to show up with professionalism and kindness. Her warmth, knowledge, dedication and supportive nature make a meaningful difference to those around her.

Nancy is truly a light within our KU community. Her dedication, reliability, commitment to teamwork and positive presence exemplify the very spirit of service this award seeks to recognize, making her an outstanding choice for Employee of the Month."

Briana Tyler, Student Success and Academic Excellence
"Nancy exemplifies the qualities that make someone truly deserving of the Employee of the Month recognition. Through her many years of dedicated service, she has consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability and a genuine commitment to the success of both students and colleagues. Nancy approaches her work with care and a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring that tasks are completed thoughtfully and efficiently while maintaining a supportive presence within the department.

One of Nancy's most notable strengths is her dedication to the Starfish platform and the role it plays in supporting student success. She has taken the time to develop a strong understanding of the system and consistently works to ensure that it functions effectively for faculty, staff and students. Whether she is assisting with troubleshooting, supporting colleagues in navigating the platform, or helping maintain accurate processes, Nancy's attention to detail and commitment to Starfish have had a meaningful impact on the way our team supports students.

Over the past year, Nancy has also stepped up during a period of transition within the department. Without seeking recognition, she has taken on additional responsibilities to help ensure that important work continues to move forward smoothly. Her ability to quietly carry a heavier workload while maintaining her positive attitude and professionalism speaks volumes about her character. Nancy consistently demonstrates reliability and a team-first mindset, always willing to help where needed and ensuring that the department continues to function effectively.

Another quality that makes Nancy stand out is her willingness to learn, grow and collaborate. She approaches new processes and challenges with an open mind and a desire to improve. Nancy values teamwork and consistently works with others to find solutions that benefit both the department and the students we serve.

Nancy's years of dedication, combined with her reliability, teamwork and commitment to student and departmental success make her an invaluable member of our campus community. Her quiet leadership, strong work ethic and dedication to continuous improvement are deeply appreciated by those who work alongside her."

Adam Troxel, Student Success and Academic Excellence
"Nancy is a true gem. Reliable, efficient, hardworking and caring are just a few of the words that describe her. Her work with Starfish is crucial to what we do in Student Success. She is wonderful at interfacing not only with campus constituents, but also with our Starfish vendor, EAB. Her warmth and compassion are evident in all her interactions. Whenever I have a question or concern regarding Starfish, she works in a timely manner with IT and EAB to have my concern addressed and provides a detailed explanation. Her smile is infectious and she is such a calming presence to all of us in the office. I cannot think of someone more deserving of this honor than Nancy."

Austin Haytko, Student Success and Academic Excellence
"As a new employee, Nancy was critical to my onboarding. She was extremely helpful in getting me up to speed on everything Starfish related so that I would be able to assist students as quickly as possible. Coincidentally, Nancy was also in the middle of attendance verification. However, I couldn't tell, as she made me feel like I was her top priority. Nancy's job is such a critical part of the work of the Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence. Her work makes our jobs so much easier and that gets translated to serving students in the best and most efficient way. While Nancy is not student facing, her passion and thoughtfulness is something I hope to embody during each of my interactions with students. We are so lucky to have Nancy on our team."

Nominations are collected from students, faculty and staff, and the Employee of the Month is selected by the Human Resources Advisory Council. A winner will be selected each month, and out of the 12 monthly winners one will be selected as Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Month will receive a plaque, reserved parking and a monetary gift.

For more information on the award or to nominate someone, please visit the KU human resources website.