Dr Melissa Markauskas wins inaugural Debra Whitehead Award for Service Excellence

26 May 2025

The SEED Debra Whitehead Award for Service Excellence was introduced in 2025, to honour the memory of Debs, and her contribution to the University

Sue Johnson, David Pattwell, Jayne Hindle, Kay Hodgson, Marion Fahy, Juup Stelma

The SEED Debra Whitehead Award for Service Excellence recognises, celebrates and rewards a member of SEED PS staff for the highest level of service excellence, in alignment with the University’s PS vision.

Congratulations to Dr Melissa Markauskas, SEED School Operations Senior Administrator, who has received the inaugural award, and a £250 gift voucher.

Melissa is a deserving winner, as an exceptionally hard-working member of the Operations team. Melissa has been instrumental in improving operational processes for efficiency and agility in the School, is a constant champion for innovation, and a key figure in enabling SEED to continue building a reputation of exceptional service delivery.

Melissa was announced as the winner at the SEED PS coffee morning on Wednesday, 21 May. To honour the occasion, David Pattwell, SEED Director of School Operations welcomed back some former SEED colleagues and close friends of Debs to say a few words including Jayne Hindle, now Director of School Operations for SALC, former colleagues Sue Johnson and Marion Fahy who both worked in SEED with Debs, and Kay Hodgson, former SEED Director of School Operations who initiated the Award earlier this year.