MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University celebrated “True Blue” dedication at the 2026 Employee Recognition Awards held Wednesday, April 22, honoring four non-faculty employees whose work reflects leadership and service across campus.

“We would not be the university we are today without you all,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said as he welcomed hundreds gathered for the event in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. “We appreciate what you do.”

Chelsea Floyd, awards committee representative, emceed the event. Speakers included Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel and Jenny Marsh, president of Middle Tennessee Administrative Professionals and manager of the Center for Educational Media’s Professional Development Center. Marsh praised employees as the “lifeline of the university.”

Awards honor top-tier employees

The annual event recognizes outstanding contributions by MTSU employees in four categories: Administrative Employee of the Year, Administrative Professional Employee of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year and Technical/Service Employee of the Year.

• This year’s Administrative Employee of the Year went to Murfreesboro resident Jackie Victory, director of Campus Activities and Strategic Marketing in the Office of Student Organizations and Service. Victory was recognized for her “reliable and productive” dedication to student success, with a wide-reaching impact across campus life.  

Known for her professionalism and positive presence, Victory oversees more than 300 student organizations while also serving on multiple committees. Colleagues describe her as a consistent “ambassador of the values and spirit” for the university who routinely goes beyond her formal responsibilities.

• The Administrative Professional Employee of the Year Award was presented to Billie Jean Brown of Murfreesboro, senior administrative associate in University College who is known for her “bright disposition and sincere care for both people and her work.” She coordinates everything from quarterly birthday celebrations to major departmental functions, ensuring details are handled with timeliness.

• Sarah Pruitt, department coordinator in the Department of Social Workin the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, was awarded the Classified Employee of the Year. A resident of Bradyville, Tennessee, Pruitt is often described as the “heartbeat” of her department who “fosters a culture of belonging and engagement.”

An avid community volunteer, Pruitt was recognized for her efforts to build community through initiatives such as monthly brown-bag lunches and student-worker recognition activities — all while juggling coursework as she pursues a bachelor’s degree at MTSU.

• Technical/Service Employee of the Year was presented to MTSU Police Detective Tommy Roberts of Murfreesboro, a veteran law enforcement agent who is regarded as “a true difference-maker.”

Roberts is a founding member of the department’s Special Victims Unit and is widely respected for his collaboration with community partners and his commitment to campus and community safety. In addition to his investigative work, Roberts frequently participates in educational panels and presentations.

Together, this year’s honorees reflect the dedication found across MTSU’s workforce of over 3,000 employees. But McPhee assured the crowd, “We are all winners.”

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)