Patti Kahler, a financial specialist with the Office of International Education, received the University Staff Appreciation Award for May 2026.
The individual nominating Kahler stated, "Patti celebrated 40 years of service to the university this March, with most of her career dedicated to International Education. During that time, she has served under multiple directors and has developed exceptional institutional knowledge of historical practices, UW-Stout procedures and Universities of Wisconsin policies. She is consistently dedicated, dependable, and highly efficient, managing a large volume of complex responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism. She is well respected and valued by colleagues and peers across campus.
"Patti has played a critical role in sustaining the operational continuity of the Office of International Education through periods of leadership transition, staffing changes, the global pandemic and evolving regulatory requirements. Her long-term stewardship of financial operations, personnel processes, and compliance functions has ensured stability and accuracy across international programs, study abroad initiatives and ESL operations. She is frequently relied upon to resolve complex issues, implement new procedures, and support special initiatives with minimal supervision, making her an indispensable resource to the unit.
"Patti consistently demonstrates a professional, supportive, and service-oriented approach when working with students, faculty, staff and external partners. She is approachable, responsive, and solutions-focused, balancing attention to detail with a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Her calm demeanor, institutional knowledge, and willingness to assist colleagues make her a trusted and respected presence within the Office of International Education and across the university."
Each employee of the month receives a certificate of recognition and a gift presented by Chancellor Katherine Frank. The award, in its 21st year, was established by the Chancellor’s Office and is co-sponsored by the University Staff Senate.
