Brinkley Honored as UCM’s 2019 Outstanding Staff Award Recipient

By Jeff Murphy, May 22, 2019

Recipient of the University of Central Missouri’s 2019 Outstanding Staff Award, Kristie Brinkley, center, is congratulated by Beth Rutt, left, president of the UCM Staff Council, and Rachel Clements, the 2018 award recipient, at the annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast.

WARRENSBURG, MO – Having a reputation for outstanding service to others and tremendous compassion for students, Kristie Brinkley, assistant director for Volunteer Services at the University of Central Missouri, has been honored with the 2019 Outstanding Staff Award. The award presentation was made May 15 during the Staff Appreciation Breakfast in the university’s Elliott Student Union.

The Outstanding Staff Award is annually presented to a non-exempt employee who has worked at least one year for UCM. To be considered, an individual must have demonstrated superior service to students, staff, faculty and the community, and demonstrate professionalism, a commitment to go above and beyond normal duties, while also promoting teamwork and collaboration.

Brinkley joined UCM 19 years ago. Her vast duties include advising student groups, organizing university blood drives, planning service events and opportunities for the UCM community, as well as networking with the Warrensburg community to facilitate volunteer opportunities. Among her many efforts, she encourages students to give back to others through a wide range of service opportunities both on and off campus, including Habitat for Humanity projects.

A longtime Warrensburg resident, Brinkley is active in the community and has served a number of organizations which promote leadership and citizen involvement or help meet the needs of children. These include membership on the Johnson County CLIMB (Community Leadership and Involvement Mean a Better Community) Board of Directors and the ECHO (Early Childhood Hunger Operation) Board of Directors.

The announcement of Brinkley as the Outstanding Staff Award recipient was made by Rachel Clements, who received the award in 2018. Clements, who is currently working for the College of Education, spoke about her work with Brinkley, both as a student and as a professional colleague.

“I first worked with her when I was an undergraduate student as part of the nontraditional student Organization,” Clements said. “She was a superb role model and resource for a budding student leader. Now, as a fellow staff member, I see how she inspires our campus to be good stewards of our community and leads by example. From coordinating all of the volunteer opportunities to working with student outreach, she embodies what it means to provide excellent customer service while always putting the needs of others first. She truly is one of the unsung heroes of this campus.”

Recently reflecting on what the award means to her, Brinkley noted, “I am blessed and thankful to be able to work here at UCM with our amazing students, staff and faculty. My job has also allowed me to partner with our Warrensburg community and provide a bridge to bring these two together.
“Each day, I get the privilege to work with and support our future leaders while learning something from them as well. I really enjoy being a part of this team to help others.”

In addition to her work at UCM, Brinkley enjoys spending time with her husband, Bill, who is employed with the university’s Department of Public Safety, and spending time with their two sons, Billy, 16, and J.P., 14.