Congratulations to our exceptional MAE staff for receiving recognition through the Division Three Superior Accomplishment Awards! These prestigious University-wide honors highlight faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions to their workplaces and their ability to foster collaboration.
Team Collaboration – MAE Facilities
The MAE facilities team plays an essential role in running department activities and troubleshooting on the go. The team comprises Melanie DeProspero, Daniel Preston, Steven Davis, and Andrew Evans, each of whom has demonstrated remarkable teamwork and dedication.
This year, the facilities team was integral to the department’s initiative to relocate and consolidate MAE-associated spaces. This complex task involved moving more than 10 laboratories—both research and teaching—40 faculty offices, and many graduate student spaces. Steven Davis played a key role in executing the physical moves, ensuring that sensitive research equipment and workspaces were relocated safely and efficiently. His problem-solving skills and attention to detail helped make the transition as smooth as possible.
Melanie DeProspero provided management and oversight, coordinating the large faculty building move while keeping the team organized and motivated. Her leadership ensured that the relocation stayed on track and that faculty, staff, and students had the support they needed during the transition.
Andrew Evans handled the many logistical details of access changes to ensure a seamless transition, ensuring that mail to the new offices was redirected correctly and that card swipe entry to buildings was updated accurately. His efforts helped faculty, staff, and students settle into their new spaces without disruption.
The team worked through every stage of the process, from lab design to moving, ensuring that teaching laboratory spaces—critical for undergraduate courses each semester—were transferred smoothly. They completed the relocation within a tight two-week window between the Summer C term and the fall term, minimizing disruption to academic activities and prioritizing safety throughout.
The facilities team also went above and beyond in assisting student organizations. They were instrumental in the Solar Gators student team’s participation in two major competitions: the 2024 Formula Sun Grand Prix and the 2024 American Solar Challenge. To transport the Solar Gators’ competition vehicle, Sunrider, to Kentucky for the Grand Prix, a special truck and trailer were required. Because none of the students were licensed to drive such a truck, Daniel Preston stepped up without hesitation, ensuring the team could compete without logistical barriers. But his support didn’t stop at transportation—he became an essential part of the team, offering hands-on help throughout the multi-week competition. Whether it was troubleshooting technical issues, coordinating logistics, or simply providing encouragement during the high-stress events, Preston’s dedication went far beyond what was expected. However, during the trip, he fell seriously ill, and Andrew Evans flew out on short notice to Casper, Wyoming, to drive him back to Gainesville safely. Their unwavering support for each other and for the Solar Gators exemplifies the teamwork and dedication that define the MAE facilities team.
The facilities team’s exceptional commitment to the department’s success is inspiring. The Team Collaboration award recognizes their efforts in ensuring that MAE operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Rookie of the Year – Ellen Truchon
Ellen Truchon is an academic advisor with MAE Undergraduate Student Services, and she has consistently demonstrated flexibility and resourcefulness. Truchon joined the department during a challenging period, when the Student Services team was significantly understaffed. Despite these obstacles, she seamlessly managed a wide range of advising responsibilities.
In addition to her day-to-day duties, Truchon helped improve students’ access to information and made interactions with the Student Services office smoother. She has also shown an unwavering commitment to fostering interdepartmental collaboration, working closely with the study abroad office to extend access to unique opportunities for undergraduate students.
Since joining MAE, Truchon has proven to be adaptable and an exceptional advisor to students, prioritizing their engagement with the department and improving efficiency in Student Services. The Rookie of the Year recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her outstanding contributions and efforts.
Rookie of the Year – Brittney Guerrier
Brittney Guerrier, an academic program specialist in MAE Graduate Student Services, has had a profound impact on the relationship between the department and its students. Going beyond her typical responsibilities, Guerrier spearheaded an initiative with the MAE Graduate Student Council to create a more supportive environment for students. She also co-authored a proposal that enhanced graduate recruitment by expanding outreach to professional societies, such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers, enriching diversity in the graduate program.
Known for her positive attitude, Guerrier is highly regarded within the department and is always eager to collaborate on projects, cultivating a more connected and productive office culture. Additionally, her efforts to streamline the Ph.D. admissions process and improve the graduate admissions website have greatly enhanced efficiency and user experience.
Guerrier’s recognition as Rookie of the Year highlights her invaluable contributions to the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her dedication and diligence have propelled the department to new heights, enhancing outreach efforts and improving efficiency in graduate services.
Employee Performance – Spencer Berry
Spencer Berry, a research administrator with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been instrumental in securing research funding for numerous projects. In the past year, he has been the lead administrator on nearly 90 proposals and contributed to many more. Berry has submitted proposals to a variety of federal sponsors, requesting more than $40 million for research initiatives, making him one of the highest contributors to the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. He is also responsible for approving awards for MAE—the largest department in the college.
His dedication to the department is evident through his extended work hours to expedite submissions ahead of Hurricane Helene as well as his contributions to developing training systems to support faculty. Additionally, Berry’s exceptional attention to detail has significantly enhanced the competitiveness of the department’s research proposals.
The drive that Berry has put forth makes him an exceptional candidate for the Employee Performance award, as he has secured an impressive amount of funding for research within the department.
Story & Editing by: Katherine Canev
Marketing & Communications Student Assistant
Design & Editing by: Christi Swiers
Marketing & Communications Specialist
UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
March 18, 2025