Sara Malinowski, Program Support Specialist in the Office of Housing and Student Affairs, has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Roy R. Jackson, Sr. Award for Staff Excellence, presented each year to the top staff member at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Award recipients must have completed at least 10 years of continuous full-time service to ABAC and be dependable, loyal, reliable, and one who contributes to the growth and development of the college beyond the normal call of duty.

“I am honored to have been chosen for the Roy Jackson Staff Excellence Award,” said Malinowski. “I have worked with so many deserving and dedicated people during my 10 years at ABAC that I would have chosen over myself! I am incredibly thankful for my ABAC family past and present."

Malinowski has had a variety of duties during her time at ABAC, from working in the bookstore to the cashier’s office, from technical support to the Office of the Dean of Students. She is currently responsible for the customer service training of the Housing staff, coordination of ABAC Housing’s room assignments process, and management of the StarRez Housing Management system. Also, she often aids with communication efforts for ABAC’s Orientation program.

One of her nomination letters stated that she “always has a smile on her face and is willing to help no matter what. She goes above and beyond her duties.”

Malinowski’s supervisor said that she “has demonstrated incredible customer service and dedication to ABAC during her time here. In her transition into the ABAC Housing office this year, she has built incredible relationships with students, and continues to make a positive impact. This role can often be the first line of communication for both parents and students and her smiling face and patient demeanor lend itself very well to effective office management.”

"I am grateful to work at an institution that consistently makes a difference in the lives of our students” Malinowski said. "It's humbling to see them go forward and use the things they have learned here, both academically and personally, to better themselves and the world.”