Abby Self, 2018 Sandridge Award winner

As assistant dean of academic operations in the School of Nursing since 2013, Abby Self has “a blend of humility, integrity and leadership that has won the respect and admiration of the School of Nursing community,” wrote her nominator, web designer Joe Nasevich.

He said he originally wanted to nominate her for her work on “single-handedly” rewriting all the academic pages last summer for the redesigned School of Nursing website. In addition to her own work and the additional task of rewriting the most heavily trafficked pages on the school’s website, Self also took over the responsibilities of a co-worker at the time.

Then Nasevich started asking colleagues for their input on working with Self. Her accomplishments and the matching praises mounted.

Abby would be the first to tell you that it is a team effort that makes a great school, but a great team is made of great individuals, and Abby is one of the best

Joe Nasevich

“Abby has touched every aspect of the school’s academic programs from admissions to policy, and her actions have positively affected every student and faculty member at the school,” he wrote.

Adam Seid, the assistant director for graduate admissions and financial aid, called Self “the perfect colleague,” saying, “Abby is very deliberate in the way she operates and is calm, collected and direct.”

“Abby would be the first to tell you that it is a team effort that makes a great school, but a great team is made of great individuals, and Abby is one of the best,” Nasevich wrote. “Just ask the 127 professors whom Abby supports in her role as assistant dean of academic operations.”

He wrote that Linda Hanson, project coordinator at the Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry, sums it up best: “During her years at the school, Abby has served with great integrity, poise under pressure, and unfailing respect for those with whom she works. Abby has a broad vision of what supports the school’s mission and enhances its success, and she works to promote this success wherever she sees an opportunity.”