Amber Seaton, College of Pharmacy budget/financial officer, has been recognized for her contributions to the college and the University of Iowa with the David J. Skorton Staff Excellence Award for Public Service. This award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions and have shown exceptional imagination and dedication to improving the university community.

“Seaton has shown dedicated service and made significant contributions to both the College of Pharmacy and the University of Iowa as a whole. Amber has demonstrated a strong commitment to staff representation on campus through her role on the University of Iowa staff council and at the collegiate level by encouraging staff engagement through her role as business manager of the College of Pharmacy,” said College of Pharmacy Associate Professor Aliasger Salem in his nomination letter.

Since 2007, Amber has worked on the UI Staff Council in various roles, including a term as President in 2010. Her work as President led to a reinvention of the idea of shared governance on campus, leading to implementation of a new representation model that was later adopted by the university. She has also provided insight on several high-level personnel searches campus-wide and expanded shared governance principles to UI Health Care.

On a smaller scale, Seaton brought leadership and guidance to collegiate-level shared governance groups. She participated in the College of Education’s monthly staff council meetings and often served as a mentor to their group. Amber also serves as an Ex Officio member of the College of Pharmacy staff council.

“There is a lot of value in the activities and work done by UI Staff Council,” said Seaton. “The opportunity to make connections campus-wide and have an impact on the experiences of staff at the UI is very rewarding. It’s nice to see people getting recognized for this work, and hopefully encourages others to participate.”

Just because Seaton’s official duties on the UI staff council have come to an end doesn’t mean she’s slowing down. She continues to serve as an example and inspiration to her colleagues. “She has helped leadership and staff members within the college see the benefits of a strong shared governance initiative. She has the ability to gently encourage those around here in a way that installs confidences and encourages greatness,” according to Salem. “She is an excellent example of how one can use their energy, creativity and imagination to make this campus a better place.”