{"id":247964,"date":"2026-06-29T14:45:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T18:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=247964"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:45:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T18:45:25","slug":"uconn-announces-recipients-of-2026-provosts-outstanding-service-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/06\/uconn-announces-recipients-of-2026-provosts-outstanding-service-award\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn Announces Recipients of 2026 Provost\u2019s Outstanding Service Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Provost\u2019s Office has announced the recipients of the 2026 Provost’s Outstanding Service Award, recognizing faculty and staff members whose sustained contributions have strengthened the University of Connecticut and advanced its mission of service to the state and beyond.<\/p>\n

While teaching and research are often the most visible aspects of university life, service is what helps institutions thrive. Faculty and staff contribute through leadership, mentorship, governance, outreach, and community partnerships that support students and colleagues, strengthen academic programs, and extend the university’s impact beyond campus.<\/p>\n

As Connecticut’s flagship public research university and land-grant institution, service is central to UConn\u2019s mission. Whether helping faculty navigate research requirements, creating opportunities for cultural engagement, or building partnerships that improve health and well-being in communities across the state, service connects the university’s expertise to the people it serves, including on our own campuses.<\/p>\n

This year’s recipients are Dr. Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou, professor in the Department of Animal Science; Rodney Rock, director of the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts; and Petra Clark-Dufner, director of the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network at UConn Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things that makes UConn such a special place is the willingness of our faculty and staff to contribute beyond their formal responsibilities,” says Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Pamir Alpay. “This year’s recipients have devoted years of effort to improving the experience of students, faculty, staff, and communities across Connecticut. Their impact can be seen in stronger programs, stronger partnerships, and stronger opportunities for others to succeed.”<\/p>\n

Dr. Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou has distinguished herself through service that touches nearly every aspect of university life, from research and shared governance to mentoring and faculty development.<\/p>\n

\"Portrait
(Peter Morenus\/UConn photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A professor of animal science, Amalaradjou is recognized as a collaborative leader who brings people together to create programs, policies and opportunities that support the success of students, faculty, and staff. As chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, she provides leadership in overseeing biosafety and research compliance processes helping researchers navigate regulatory requirements while ensuring the safe and responsible conduct of research across the University. Her thoughtful approach to balancing regulatory oversight with research needs helps foster an environment where discovery can advance responsibly and efficiently.<\/p>\n

Mentorship is a hallmark of her service. Through her involvement in initiatives such as Network Enriched Mentorship, UConn Connects, and Husky Mentors, she creates opportunities for students and faculty to build meaningful professional relationships, expand their networks, and navigate academic and career challenges. As a CIMER-trained facilitator, she supports The Graduate School by providing mentorship training for graduate faculty, helping strengthen mentoring practices across the University. Within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, she facilitates the Power of Peer Circles program, fostering peer support and community among faculty. Together, these efforts cultivate a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth that benefits students, faculty, and the broader UConn community.<\/p>\n

Amalaradjou’s influence extends across the University through fellowships with the Office of the Provost, the Graduate School, and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, as well as service on the University Senate, Graduate Faculty Council, Faculty Standards Committee, and numerous college and departmental committees. Through these roles, she advances initiatives that support faculty success, leadership development, mentorship, and inclusive excellence while helping strengthen UConn’s academic and research mission. Colleagues value her thoughtful leadership, strategic perspective, and ability to build consensus, translating ideas into practical solutions that improve institutional processes and create new opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.<\/p>\n

Beyond UConn, Amalaradjou brings her expertise in food safety and public health to national and international leadership roles that advance research, policy, and scientific practice. She serves on the Joint FAO\/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment Roster of Experts and previously served on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection, contributing to efforts that inform food safety research and policy. She also serves on federal and international research review panels and the editorial boards of leading scientific journals, helping advance scientific rigor and innovation in the field. Through the American Society for Microbiology and the International Association for Food Protection, she mentors students and early-career researchers from around the world, extending her commitment to developing the next generation of scientists. Collectively, these contributions reflect the same spirit of service that defines her work across the University and beyond.<\/p>\n

Rodney Rock<\/strong><\/p>\n

For nearly four decades, Rodney “Rod” Rock has helped transform the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts into one of Connecticut’s premier cultural destinations and a vibrant hub for artistic engagement at the University of Connecticut.<\/p>\n

\"Portrait
(UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since joining UConn in 1990 and becoming Director of Jorgensen in 1996, Rock has championed access to the performing arts for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members throughout the region. Under his leadership, Jorgensen has welcomed as many as 70,000 patrons annually while presenting an extraordinary array of internationally acclaimed artists, ensembles, dance companies, family programs, and student performances.<\/p>\n

Committed to innovation and audience engagement, Rock launched several signature initiatives that expanded Jorgensen’s reach and impact. Among them is the popular Husky Headliner Series, which showcases talented UConn student ensembles and organizations, and a volunteer usher program that has enhanced the patron experience while fostering meaningful community involvement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a pivotal role in securing a federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant that supported the creation of the Jorgensen Digital Stage. This groundbreaking initiative enabled audiences locally, nationally, and internationally to experience live performances by world-renowned artists at a time when in-person gatherings were not possible.<\/p>\n

A passionate advocate for arts education and outreach, Rock established the JOY! (Jorgensen Outreach for Youth) Program and JOY! Conservatory in 2008 through a partnership with the SBM Charitable Foundation. These award-winning programs have provided transformative opportunities for young people throughout Eastern Connecticut. Alumni have gone on to study at prestigious institutions including Juilliard, the Eastman School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music, while several have appeared as soloists on National Public Radio’s From the Top. For the past 18 years, he has also served as the founding director of UConn’s Arts Learning Community, mentoring and teaching first-year students while fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.<\/p>\n

Rock’s leadership has extended beyond programming and education to fundraising and philanthropic development. In 2005, he founded the Jorgensen CoStars, a patron-volunteer organization that has generated significant support for special projects and facility enhancements beyond the scope of operating budgets. Through partnerships with donors and the UConn Foundation, he has helped secure funding for major capital improvements, technology upgrades, concert instruments, and artistic initiatives that continue to enrich the experiences of audiences, artists, and students.<\/p>\n

He has also been instrumental in establishing several permanent endowments that ensure the long-term vitality of arts programming and outreach at UConn, including the Lenard Chamber Music Endowment, the Shirley Dabora Memorial Endowment, and the A.N. Endowment, all of which provide enduring support for Jorgensen’s programming, educational and community engagement initiatives.<\/p>\n

His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the University of Connecticut Award for Promoting Multiculturalism and Diversity (1997), the Provost’s Award for Staff Excellence in Outreach and Public Engagement (2011), the Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Award (2012), and the Gerald N. Weller Award from UConn Student Affairs (2015).<\/p>\n

Through visionary leadership, an unwavering commitment to community engagement, and a lifelong dedication to the performing arts, Rodney Rock has left an enduring mark on the University of Connecticut. His work has strengthened UConn’s cultural landscape, expanded access to the arts, and enriched the lives of countless students, patrons, artists, and community members throughout Connecticut and beyond.<\/p>\n

Petra Clark-Dufner<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more than 20 years, Petra Clark-Dufner has built partnerships that connect UConn’s educational mission with communities across Connecticut, creating pathways that improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and prepare future health professionals for service.<\/p>\n

\"Portrait
(Tina Encarnacion\/UConn Health photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As director of the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network, Clark-Dufner leads initiatives that bring together students, faculty, healthcare providers, community organizations, and public agencies to address some of the state’s most pressing health challenges. Under her leadership, Connecticut AHEC has developed partnerships with more than 100 organizations statewide and supports programs that reach thousands of residents annually through health screenings, health education, workforce development, and community engagement activities.<\/p>\n

Clark-Dufner is perhaps best known as co-founder of the Urban Service Track\/AHEC Scholars Program, a nationally recognized interprofessional education model that brings together students from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dental medicine, social work, and physician assistant programs to learn through service in underserved communities. The program became a model for AHEC Scholars initiatives across the country and has helped prepare more than 1,000 graduates, many of whom now serve communities throughout Connecticut.<\/p>\n

Her work has also shaped healthcare workforce development and public policy. Clark-Dufner has helped secure approximately $18 million in state and federal funding to support health workforce initiatives and has played a role in advancing programs and policies that expand access to care, including Connecticut’s Student Loan Repayment Program and the Community Health Worker Practice Act. In April, Gov. Ned Lamont proclaimed April 15, 2026, as Petra Clark-Dufner Day<\/a> in recognition of her decades of leadership in strengthening Connecticut’s healthcare workforce pipeline and expanding access to care in underserved communities.<\/p>\n

Colleagues describe Clark-Dufner as a tireless advocate, educator, and bridge-builder whose work exemplifies UConn’s commitment to public service. Through her leadership, thousands of students have gained hands-on experience serving communities, and countless Connecticut residents have benefited from programs that improve health, opportunity, and quality of life.<\/p>\n

The Provost’s Outstanding Service Award recognizes the often-unseen work that helps universities fulfill their missions. Through their leadership, dedication, and commitment to serving others, Amalaradjou, Rock, and Clark-Dufner have strengthened UConn and expanded its impact across Connecticut and beyond.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The award honors those who have demonstrated excellence in service to UConn that far exceeds reasonable expectations <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":247704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2298,2224,2460,1914,2461,179,2233],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[1902],"class_list":["post-247964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-science","category-cahnr","category-faculty","category-sfa","category-staff","category-uconn-health","category-university-news"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-06 18:27:45","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247964"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":247971,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247964\/revisions\/247971"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/247704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=247964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=247964"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=247964"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=247964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}