It takes the work of many committed individuals dedicating their energy to ensure that McIntire can continue to provide its renowned student experience. Year after year, the extraordinary attention and opportunities students receive are supported by an insightful and caring world-class faculty and a globally engaged alumni network, strengthened and sustained through the dedication of the Commerce School staff. Though they operate mostly behind the scenes, staff offer essential assistance to the faculty and deliver the technological backbone that the entire McIntire School community relies on day in, day out.
Spotlighting staff members who embody McIntire’s best qualities, Laurence C. “Larry” Franklin established an endowment with $50,000 in the spring of 2023 to fund the Outstanding Staff Member Award—a generous gift matched dollar for dollar by the Commerce School. This year, the third annual honor went to Jack Robbins, Enterprise & Cloud Systems Manager, and D. Serrell Stoke, Academic Program Support Manager.
Nominated by their peers and chosen by a committee, the two recipients were honored during the McIntire Staff Day held on May 20, 2025, for their excellent work, each receiving an award of $2,000 that recognizes them for contributing to the School’s culture of courtesy, collegiality, and academic excellence.
A Focused Determination
Originally from Chester, VA, Robbins earned his degree in Business Administration and Management from Penn State University and served six years in the military as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2011, he came to the University, where he worked at the UVA Foundation and later on the Executive Technology Team in the Office of the President before joining the Commerce School in 2022. Hired as an Enterprise Systems Engineer, Robbins was promoted to Manager less than six months later. He currently leads enterprise infrastructure and cloud initiatives, focusing on automation and innovation.
In his work at the Comm School, he has led a host of cost-saving innovation initiatives, such as finding and eliminating redundancies in McIntire’s servers and storage, which are now housed in the cloud or in UVA’s data center and creating a new infrastructure and virtual environment for the computer lab. Robbins was instrumental in building a very well-received AI tutor for the M.S. in MIT Program that enabled students to access personalized, real-time support.
“As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I bring a strong sense of purpose, service, and adaptability to my work,” says Robbins. “I try to carry that mindset into everything I do, especially as I focus on using tools like automation and AI to help McIntire operate more efficiently and meet the needs of its students, faculty, and staff.”
Additionally, Robbins has served on McIntire’s Staff Advisory Group; volunteered to present at their “Lunch & Learn” about AI; and works closely with his McIntire Help Desk, McIntire Audio Visual Services (MAVS), and McIntire Applications and Reporting Team (MART) colleagues to problem-solve and brainstorm new ways to best assist the School community.
An enthusiastic colleague says, “Jack has gone above and beyond in implementing AI tutor chatbots for several faculty members, significantly enhancing the learning experience for students. His initiative not only reflects technical excellence but also a deep commitment to student success and pedagogical innovation. His efforts have not only streamlined academic support but also demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to education technology.”
Robbins says that being nominated by his peers was “incredibly meaningful” for him, adding that he’s always felt supported by the people he works with at the School. “This recognition reinforces how collaborative and thoughtful the McIntire community truly is,” he says. “When I found out I’d been selected, I was both surprised and deeply grateful. I’m fortunate to work with a small but highly capable team, including my systems engineer, Lawson Johnson, whose creativity and problem-solving play a key role in helping us stay agile and forward thinking. McIntire is a special place because of people like Lawson and the broader culture of innovation and mutual support. I’m proud to be part of that every day.”
An Impactful Presence
Atlanta, GA-born and Shenandoah Valley-raised Stoke earned her degree in at Virginia Tech as a mechanical engineer and holds the claim to fame of being recognized by VT’s Women’s Hall of Fame as the first woman in Virginia to be licensed to operate a nuclear reactor. After applying her education as a mechanical engineer at DuPont for a number of years, she chose to pursue an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. During the following 15-year stretch, Stoke worked in commercial real estate finance, a major insurance company, and a commercial bank. She then married and became a full-time mom who home schooled her children. In 2013, Stoke became a staff member of McIntire’s Faculty Support office (since renamed the Academic Program Support Office).
In her role, Stoke oversees responsibilities that range from implementing curricula in the School’s learning management system, proofreading academic manuscripts, coordinating scholar visits, managing the support staff, and many more duties that help faculty in countless ways.
“I am honored to receive this award,” says Stoke. “Working closely with Karen Gellner, Marika Koch, and Jonna Garono in APSO is an absolute pleasure. We are a collaborative team, spending our days working together in the same office. It is truly rare to share such a significant amount of time with co-workers who are not only dedicated to similar tasks but also maintain a shared vision and mutual respect. The camaraderie and teamwork among us foster a productive and supportive environment.”
A colleague who nominated Stoke for the Staff Award effuses, “Serrell is everything one wishes for in an administrative support role! She knows her stuff and provides cheerful service to all who enter her domain. Serrell stays on top of all my course materials requests, with fast turnarounds and—best of all—concomitant suggestions for how I might improve things for next time. Her enthusiasm, insight, and organizational abilities are unmatched!”
A faculty member says enthusiastically of Stoke, “Serrell exemplifies the very spirit of this award through her exceptional productivity, unparalleled customer service, and unwavering commitment to going above and beyond the call of duty. Serrell approaches her work with professionalism and a deep sense of responsibility. Her profound institutional knowledge of both McIntire and the University is matched only by her generosity in sharing it. Serrell is the opposite of a gatekeeper—she is a bridge. She genuinely cares about our community, and it shows in everything she does. Serrell’s efforts are not only significant—they are sustained. She shows up every day with the same can-do attitude, the same eye for detail, and the same commitment to excellence. Much of her work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt in every smooth-running program, class, meeting, and special project. Simply put, Serrell is the kind of person who makes McIntire stronger.”
Stoke credits those she works with for providing the motivational and caring environment in which she has thrived. “I am constantly inspired by the faculty and staff at McIntire. Everyone here is considerate, engaging, and interesting, which makes every day a new opportunity for growth and learning,” she says. “McIntire is a great place to work because of its people and environment. The collaborative spirit, supportive colleagues, and beautiful surroundings create an atmosphere where excellence thrives. The lovely building and grounds add to the inspiring atmosphere, making it a pleasure to come to work each day.”
Please join the entire McIntire community in recognizing these outstanding staff members for their continued excellence and essential contributions to the School.
