Case Western Reserve University is having a banner year—from being named a “New Ivy” by Forbes to landing among the top 25 universities in the country. Such achievements are the result of the hard work of the institution’s faculty, staff and students, alike.
Though staff members’ work doesn’t typically make headlines, it’s often their quiet, behind-the-scenes actions that make a difference on campus.
Each year, Case Western Reserve recognizes staff members who have had an outsized impact on campus by awarding the President’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Robin Kramer Volunteer Award. After reviewing submissions from faculty, staff and students, the Staff Advisory Council Staff Recognition Committee recommends nominees for both honors to the Office of the President for final selections.
The 2026 award winners will be celebrated at the annual Staff Service Awards ceremony today, June 11. The event will also honor employees with 10, 25, 35, 45 and 50 years of service at Case Western Reserve.
President’s Award for Distinguished Service
Each year, the President’s Award for Distinguished Service recognizes up to three staff members with qualities that are consistent with the university’s values and whose contributions to CWRU culture have a transformational effect on colleagues, students or visitors.
Established in 1992, this award honors the late Roseanne Shaerban, whose family, friends and co-workers remember her for the care, concern, loyalty and support she demonstrated to the campus community during her years as a university employee.
The 2026 President’s Award winners are:
- Naomi Drakeford, PhD, director of clinical counseling services and interim training director in University Health and Counseling Services;
- Dorien Langezaal, director of education and training in the Undergraduate Advising Support Office; and
- Greg Harris, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
Learn more about their contributions to campus.
Naomi Drakeford, PhD
Director of Clinical Counseling Services
Interim Training Director
University Health and Counseling Services
Division of Student Affairs
Naomi Drakeford, PhD, has created a culture in which students are best able to thrive at CWRU. Her patient kindness leaves a lasting impression on those she meets, whether she is offering support to grieving staff after the loss of their colleague or listening to the students she counsels.
Through her role as director of clinical counseling services, she has established numerous initiatives and programs that have enhanced psychological safety for all on campus.
In 2024, Drakeford leveraged a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to partner with The Steve Fund, which allowed her to create programming aimed at supporting underrepresented graduate students. The program gave a voice to graduate students who shared the unique pressures they experienced. As a result of these findings, Drakeford created transformative campus workshops that were tailored to students’ unique needs and went beyond the limits of traditional counseling.
Outside of her administrative duties, Drakeford helps educate and train the next generation of mental health professionals by overseeing University Health and Counseling Services’ American Psychological Association-accredited hands-on training program for psychology, clinical counseling and social work students. Through this program, students benefit from Drakeford’s emphasis on clinical rigor and cultural humility.
“At the heart of Naomi’s leadership is an unwavering commitment to ethics and equality,” her nominator wrote. “She demonstrates this by ensuring that ‘equitable care’ is not just a goal, but a lived reality for every student who walks through our doors.”
Greg Harris
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs
Greg Harris is considered by some as the “most respected man on campus.” As dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs, he is a familiar face to faculty, staff and students alike.
Working alongside students, he’s known as “just a normal dude”—someone who is approachable, kind and dedicated to supporting them. His leadership is marked by empathy, advocacy, service, integrity, accountability and courage, according to a nominator.
Harris was named dean of students in 2024. He first arrived at CWRU in 2013 as an assistant dean of undergraduate studies. He transitioned to the Division of Student Affairs in 2020. Harris has established the Dean of Students Office as one that promotes resiliency and intentionality.
From evaluating policies and procedures to best support students to celebrating their achievements at commencement or the POSSE retreat, Harris puts students first, and is always ready to help them however he can.
Students recognize this in Harris, who was previously nominated for the Jackson Award for Undergraduate Mentoring.
“Greg's deep care and thoughtfulness are evident in his approach to mentorship and leadership, often going above and beyond to provide personalized guidance to students and staff—both those within his reporting structure and those who just turn to him for his trusted guidance,” his nominator wrote.
Dorien Langezaal
Director of Education and Training
Undergraduate Advising Support Office
Division of Student Affairs
The legacy of Dorien Langezaal’s work will live on for years—and that’s exactly the point. Through her role as the director of education and training in the Undergraduate Advising Support Office, Langezaal leads projects with intention. When confronting a challenge, she doesn’t look for the easy way to complete it—she looks for sustainable solutions.
“This mindset ensures that the work she leads continues to benefit the office and the broader university community long after the immediate task is complete,” her nominator wrote.
Langezaal approaches every phase of a project—from initiation to implementation—with a keen eye for detail, ensuring timelines, stakeholder needs and resources are all considered.
However, she doesn’t do this on her own. She is intentional about collaborating with others in the decision-making process, incorporating diverse perspectives and values throughout the process, according to her nominator.
Transparency and integrity are also key to Langezaal’s approach to her work. She doesn’t assume what she does not know, and casts a line to others to open a dialogue about uncertainties.
Langezaal’s attention to details also helps her identify potential roadblocks at the outset of a project to brainstorm solutions from the start.
“This foresight strengthens the stability and resilience of the systems she builds, preventing disruptions and enabling projects to move forward smoothly,” her nominator wrote.
Robin Kramer Volunteer Award
The Robin Kramer Volunteer Award was established in 2014 to recognize a staff member who actively volunteers in the CWRU community. This award is named for the late Robin Kramer, a university employee whose qualities and commitment to volunteerism set a standard for distinguished service before she passed away in 2013.
The 2026 Robin Kramer Volunteer Award recipient is Darlena “Dee” Dillard, a legal assistant in the Office of General Counsel.
Read about her service efforts.
Darlena “Dee” Dillard
Legal Assistant
Office of General Counsel
Service and community is at the root of all Darlena “Dee” Dillard does, both in her community and on campus at Case Western Reserve University.
Dillard, a legal assistant in the Office of General Counsel, serves others quietly, inspiring others to join her. She launched a “Community Table” next to her home, which she stocks with items that others in the community may need: food, household items, clothing and more. This initiative—centered on human connection and—has become a true community effort, including the neighbors who donate items and her young grandchildren who help distribute the items during the summer.
Through her service on her church’s community outreach committee, she finds more opportunities to meet others’ needs. Last fall and winter, she organized a coat drive, creating a warmer season for 50 adults and children. Each year during the holiday season, she also coordinations the donation and assembly of up to 10 boxes of food for community members.
Her impact extends to Case Western Reserve, where she is a member of the Staff Advisory Council, Dillard serves on three committees: Staff Development, Fringe Benefits and Community Service. In these roles, she brings a community-centered perspective to advocate for staff members across campus.
“Darlena does nothing for show. Every act of service she performs is guided by purpose, intentionality and respect for the people she is helping,” her nominator wrote. “She creates systems of care that empower others to participate, give, feel valued and inspire hope. She helps others see that every life has value, and through intentional, compassion‑driven service, she helps our community move toward a brighter, more hopeful future.”
