VINCENNES, Ind., October 2, 2025 – Vincennes University faculty and staff are vital to VU’s mission, goals, and vision. Five faculty and staff members have been honored with Peer Recognition Awards for their extraordinary achievements, leadership, service, and dedication to the University.
The 2025 Peer Recognition Award recipients are (in alphabetical order):
- Sandy Friedman, Deputy Director, Workforce Development Services, Region 8
- Charla Gilbert, Director, Library Services
- Hubie Holland, Instructor, Industrial Maintenance Training
- Kimberly Wright, Director, Center for Applied Robotics and Automation
- Linda Yochum, Office Coordinator, Generations
The 2025 recipients were honored at a special reception in Governor’s Hall on Oct. 1.
VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said, “We congratulate the dedicated Vincennes University staff and faculty who have received Peer Recognition Awards. Their passion and commitment to excellence significantly enrich our University, and their outstanding contributions elevate VU every day. We take pride in all staff and faculty who were nominated by their peers.”
Peers nominate VU faculty and staff based on exemplary service and performance annually. The President’s Advisory Committee selects the recipients.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS – These excerpts were taken from each award recipient’s nomination submission.
Sandy Friedman, Deputy Director of Workforce Development Services Region 8
Sandy is being nominated for her exemplary services as the regional subject-matter expert on WorkOne programs. She has developed onboarding training for new staff in regards to information management systems related to our regional grant programs, and conducts ongoing staff training for all programs. Sandy writes policy and provides detailed training for new and changing policies, as well as completing ongoing monitoring of participant files to identify potential issues. She has created a “Tip of the Week” email for staff that provides clarification on procedures and client processes that ensures successful program administration. She has created a series of staff checklists for documentation record keeping for all programs, and has also created policies, checklists, and procedures that have reduced staff time involved with program documentation, allowing staff to have focus on direct client service delivery. She has become the regional “Go-To” for questions related to eliminating disallowed costs and reducing time expenditures for frontline staff program documentation. Her training guides and checklists have prompted the Department of Workforce Development to use her training and documentation tools as a best practice for the entire state. Sandy’s commitment to VU and her position reflects well on our agency as a whole.
Charla Gilbert, Director of Library Services
Charla is being nominated for her exceptional leadership and dedication. Her procurement of a prestigious grant brought recognition for VU as our library was selected as one of 50 in the United States to host the Americans and the Holocaust exhibit from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and American Library Association. She guided a lengthy and thoughtful planning process, collaborating with partners across VU, the Vincennes community, and the state to create a meaningful educational experience that included an abundance of accompanying events that brought people of all ages to VU. Charla is a passionate steward of VU history, actively collecting and digitizing flyers, photos, and programs to preserve our legacy. She has also championed innovative additions like virtual reality rooms and calming and stimulating sensory spaces. Events like the Harry Potter Escape Room, Murder Mystery, and Paws and Popcorn are wildly popular and speak to the library’s vital role as a student-centered hub. Her vision and commitment continue to elevate the library as a vibrant and essential part of VU.
Hubie Holland, Industrial Maintenance Training Instructor
Hubie has been a critical part in the design and implementation of multiple successful programs at VU. He is dedicated, arriving 1 1/2 hours early every day so he is fully prepared to teach his classes, and often stays late helping students and preparing for the next day. Hubie has unmatched attention to detail, which leads to a consistent learning experience for the students, and he is a great “lead by example” co-worker. He is a great friend, co-worker, mentor, and man of faith.
Kimberly Wright, Director of the Center for Applied Robotics and Automation
Kim is to be commended for her outstanding leadership and the profound impact she has made at VU, as well on our team and workplace culture. Kim consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her role. She takes initiative by eagerly stepping into projects that extend well beyond her formal responsibilities, offering her support across the College of Technology, Distance Education, Workforce Development, and Business and Industry. She is a proud VU alumna and Army veteran, serving in Afghanistan in the early 2000s. She leads with strength, clarity, and a deep commitment to service. Kim once served as one of the only female instructors in the College of Technology, making space for others in a historically underrepresented field. She was also the manager of the Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship for four years, connecting with students and providing career advice. In her current role, she fosters an environment where everyone feels supported, seen, and valued. Kim exemplifies servant leadership, setting the tone for excellence and bringing out the best in everyone she works with.
Linda Yochum, Generations Office Coordinator
Linda has been instrumental in our organization’s success since 2006. She has a unique skill set, specializing in problem solving and crisis management, making her a customer service specialist. Linda has provided counseling and assistance to over 1,300 individuals over the past five years, including helping them navigate the complexities of Medicare, retirement, and insurance planning. Through her tax counseling program alone, her team has provided services to over 6,000 local individuals. Her knowledge is widely known throughout the community. Linda is truly a team player in all aspects of her life and she does it every day with a smile. Even through difficult times and stressful days, she provides hope, advice, a listening ear, and a helping hand, always with a positive attitude. Her dedication to providing a better quality of life to older adults and individuals with disabilities is admirable and commendable. She is a great co-worker, employee, peer, and community member.
