Unit Coordinator Tiffany Ellinghuysen has been named Gerard Academy’s Employee Ambassador of the Year.

Each year, Gerard Academy selects a staff member who exemplifies the values of the organization and acts as an ambassador to every youth, coworker, visitor, and family member who comes to the campus, qualities that reach past the individual’s own role, into every department, dorm, and unit, according to a press release.

The ambassador should promote change, be a strong leader, a good manager, resilient, and respected. Lastly, the Gerard Ambassador should be someone the youth feel supports and cares for them.

In October, Nexus CEO Brock Wolf and Gerard Academy Executive Director Brent Henry awarded the Gerard Ambassador Award to Ellinghuysen. According to officials, Ellinghuysen “embodies all of the defining qualities of an ambassador, and more importantly, she demonstrates all of Gerard’s cornerstone values of honesty, respect, courage, care and concern.”

Ellinghuysen was hired in 2008 as a youth care professional and has since reached the top of the youth care career ladder, now serving as a unit coordinator. Gerard Academy youth shared their acknowledgements of Ellinghuysen after hearing of her nomination.

They said:

“She is very caring and has been a huge help and support system for me.” 

“I have only been here for a short time and already I feel comfortable talking to her. She is a beautiful and amazing person.” 

“Tiffany is very understanding. I hope she continues to work here forever.”   

“When Ellinghuysen works with the youth on campus, her kindness and caring actions seem effortless. She is calm, supportive, assertive, and compassionate in challenging situations,” the press release said.

“Tiffany’s daily interactions with staff, youth, and the community are always above reproach,” states clinical supervisor Lynn Smithwick. “Her discernable values and principles are part of her character. It has been an honor to have Tiffany on the Cherbourg Team.”