From guiding students through difficult times and maintaining academic records to managing administrative tasks and supporting faculty in the classroom, the staff across the University of Washington Bothell are invaluable collaborators for student success.
The Division of Academic Affairs established two awards in 2021 to recognize staff members who have bolstered the division and propelled the academic mission of the campus forward.
This year, Mary Toll and Rita Johnson have been recognized for their indispensable support with the Distinguished Partner Award and the Distinguished Accomplishments Award, respectively.
A commitment to collaboration
As director of the Office of Student Conduct, Mary Toll knows that hers is not considered a “fun” space. “We are one of the offices that people don’t want to think about until they need us,” she said.
In a typical day, she might be called on to investigate a case of alleged plagiarism or to support the resolution of a conflict between students in a classroom or residential setting. She remains focused on student success through it all.
“A lot of really good things happen here,” she said. “A student is maybe not coming to us because they’re having a great experience, but we can play a huge role in connecting people with resources and with the community.”
It’s this approach — and especially her collaboration with UW Bothell faculty — that has earned Toll the Distinguished Partner Award for 2024-25. After several years as assistant director of residential life, she was one of the first staff members to begin working with the Office of Faculty Success when it formed three years ago. Since then, Toll has piloted creative ways to connect with faculty, from de-escalation workshops to video tips on classroom management.
To help faculty navigate student behavior issues and alleged academic dishonesty, she has extended drop-in office hours at the end of each quarter. “Her decision to run a week of office hours during finals has been extremely helpful to our faculty, especially our part-time faculty,” said Dr. Wadiya Udell, associate vice chancellor for Faculty Success.
Grace under pressure
To support faculty with classroom management issues, Toll draws from her work in residential life at UW Bothell and as a resident director while she was in graduate school. Back then, she assisted students at all hours with a variety of situations that affected them in their classes. The experience taught her that stressors do not always from the coursework or disagreements with classmates but also come from other life concerns. “Often, we’re helping students to process and regulate emotions,” she said.
Three incidents between students and faculty in winter quarter 2024 put Toll’s expertise to the test, and she guided the institutional response through tense and emotionally heightened circumstances.
“Mary held herself to the highest professional and ethical standards as she navigated these difficult situations,” said Dr. Tim Wilson, dean of Student Affairs. “Not everyone was happy with her decisions. When faced with criticism for her work, she listened and incorporated the feedback wherever she could.
“In my opinion,” he said, “this is not only the mark of a true leader but of a lifelong learner and committed collaborator as well.”
Some cases can be intense, agreed Toll, but those are the outliers. Most days, she’s meeting with students and helping them to reflect on their choices. “It’s oddly tender,” she said, “when the other person is open and vulnerable, and able to think in a different way.”
It’s some of the most rewarding and powerful work she does. “In this job,” she said, “you have to have a thick skin and a soft heart.”
Unrivaled professionalism
Rita Johnson’s role has changed tremendously in her 13 years as administrator for the School of Nursing & Health Studies. The school didn’t yet exist when she joined UW Bothell; it was a nursing department with just two degree programs. Through the founding of the school in 2014 and the four degrees it now offers, Johnson navigated the complexities with an array of seven different supervisors, including program directors, deans and interim deans.
In an atmosphere of constant flux, Johnson has been “invaluable as a force for unity and connection,” said Dr. Linda S. Watts, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and former interim dean for the school. “Times without number, Rita’s skill and creativity have helped the school avert disaster or avail itself of crucial opportunities.”
Lauded for her unrivaled level of professionalism, grace and calm, Johson has been commended with the 2024-25 Distinguished Accomplishments Award.
“I’m honored to be recognized at this level,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of great people receive this award, and I’m proud to be part of this group.”
A one-person Mission Control
Day in and day out, Johson fields inquiries from all corners of the school and University community. She is treasured for the accuracy, care and thoughtfulness she brings to every interaction, from budget and finance to personnel, human resources and hiring issues. “She is our single-handed version of Mission Control,” said Watts.
How does she do it? Johnson is one of just five administrators on campus, and she connects regularly with her peers, all of whom routinely face the same challenges. The ability to prioritize the work at hand and develop high-functioning teams is critical in her fast-paced work environment. “I’m proud to be a public servant contributing to student career growth and faculty research,” she said.
She said she also enjoys the small community feel of UW Bothell, where she taps into the continuous learning resources of the wider UW community. From weightlifting with The Whole U to trainings on inclusion and respect through Professional & Organizational Development, Johnson looks for growth opportunities at every turn.
And she puts them into practice by advocating for others. “She truly takes diversity, equity and inclusive practices to heart in her professional role,” said Dr. Mabel Ezeonwu, professor and former interim dean of the SNHS. “She does not shy away from speaking out about inequitable practices in the unit.”
Looking toward the next challenge
What’s next on the horizon for this UW Bothell community linchpin? In collaboration with the UW’s School of Nursing in Seattle and the School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership in Tacoma, the SNHS is considering the launch of a new nursing program with a shared curriculum. Johnson expects it will be the most complex undertaking that the school will face in the next five years.
Her colleagues across the UW can rest assured of an outstanding partner in Johnson. “I have never worked with someone who is so smart and confident and yet extremely humble and respectful,” said Ezeonwu.
