Trinity College Honors Four Staff Members with Dean’s Pillar of Excellence Awards

Trinity College of Arts & Sciences recently honored four staff members with Dean’s Pillar of Excellence Awards. 

The Dean’s Pillar of Excellence Awards recognize outstanding non-teaching staff whose work strengthens the mission and daily life of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. The 2026 awards honor individuals who consistently demonstrate outstanding service, leadership, initiative, community, collaboration, enthusiasm and inclusion. 

Established in 2017, the award celebrates staff accomplishments and encourages a culture of excellence by opening a nomination period each spring, with the awardee selections made by Trinity College Dean Gary Bennett, in consultation with a committee of staff members. All non-teaching staff with at least one year of service are eligible, and each recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium in recognition of their contributions. The awards are presented at a Staff Appreciation Party open to all staff members, faculty and administrators. This year, the four staff members selected for their extraordinary dedication and impact across Trinity are: Jill Foster from Department of Biology; Quantá Holden from the Department of English; Jen Hoff  from the Office of Trinity College Undergraduate Education; and Lillian Verhoeven from the Department of Romance Studies. 

With Trinity staff gathered in the Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center for an end-of-year celebration, Dean Gary Bennett congratulated the winners and offered his thanks. “The things that we do here in the educational and scholarly domains could not happen and certainly would not happen at the level of excellence that we deliver without the collective energies and the talents of everyone in this room,” Bennett said. “I want you to know that I see you, and I deeply appreciate and value the contributions that you all make.” 

Read more about these four outstanding staff members and the ways in which their work reflects the professionalism, creativity and commitment that sustains Trinity College’s academic and community life. 

Jill Foster
Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Biology 

Jill Foster has demonstrated exceptional initiative and leadership by creating a network of support for Directors of Undergraduate Studies Assistants (DUSAs) and Program Coordinators across Trinity. Recognizing a need for connection and shared resources, she established regular meetings that provide colleagues with opportunities to exchange knowledge, navigate complex university processes, and support one another during periods of institutional change. Her nominator note that her efforts extend well beyond her formal responsibilities, strengthening communication and fostering a greater sense of community among staff across departments. 

What colleagues say: 
• “Jill has embodied values of service, leadership, initiative, community and collaboration, enthusiasm and inclusion by founding a group of mutual professional support for DUSAs and Program Coordinators in Trinity College.” 
• “Her emails always feels like a bright beam of light in my inbox.” 

 
Jenn Hoff
Senior Quad Advisor, Trinity College Undergraduate Education 

Jen Hoff has played a central role in sustaining the work of the Academic Advising Center during an especially demanding year marked by transition and staffing shortages. While carrying a significantly expanded advising caseload, she also mentored colleagues, helped onboard new staff members, and ensured continuity of support for students across the center. Nominators highlight her professionalism, deep institutional knowledge, and calm, collaborative leadership. Through her steady presence and commitment to both students and colleagues, she has helped maintain the effectiveness and resilience of the advising team. 

What colleagues say: 
• “Jen is the backbone of our office, quietly supporting all that we do and asking for no accolades in return.” 
• “She stores a wealth of knowledge and experience yet is careful to make sure everyone else’s ideas are included and considered.”  
• “With grace, kindness, and patience, she managed triple the expected student advising load and also helped to onboard new advisors.” 

Quantá Holden
Communications Strategist, English 

For more than a decade, Quantá Holden has shaped and elevated the English Department’s communications, digital presence, and sense of community. Known for his creativity, initiative, and technical expertise, he ensures that the department’s communications infrastructure runs smoothly while also amplifying the work of faculty and students through thoughtful storytelling and strategic outreach. Colleagues note that he goes well beyond the expectations of his role —attending events, supporting programs, mentoring students, and helping build a welcoming and inclusive environment. His work strengthens not only the department’s visibility, but also the connections that sustain its academic community. 

What colleagues say: 
• “Quantá truly understands the kind of work we do in an English department and the kind of community we’re trying to build.” 
• “He’s not only attended conferences, lectures, and meetings, but actually sat in on class sessions. This is truly going above and beyond.” 
• “His contributions may not always be visible at first glance, but they are essential to the department’s success.” 

Lillian Verhoeven
Business Manager, Romance Studies 

Lillian Verhoeven is widely regarded as the operational and cultural backbone of the Department of Romance Studies. During a period of significant transition and strategic change, she provided steady, thoughtful leadership while managing an increasingly complex set of responsibilities, including the integration of a new academic unit into the department. Colleagues describe her as both a skilled administrator and an exceptional collaborator who approaches challenges with optimism, creativity, and a solutions-oriented mindset. Through her leadership, she has strengthened departmental operations while also fostering a workplace culture grounded in trust, humor and mutual support. 

What colleagues say: 
•“Even — and especially — when faced with tough situations, Lillian pushes forward with a ‘we can work this out’ attitude, an assumption of good intent, and more often than not a silly joke or two.” 
• “She manages to embody both strong leadership and incredible collegiality.” 
• “She has been a pillar for the entire department, and for me as chair.”