Student Support Services director earns Greene County Community Service Award

Katie Deedrick, Wright State’s Office of Student Support Services director, is often the first person in line to help a student who has been victimized. Her work was recently recognized by Greene County, which named Deedrick winner of the 2013 Outstanding Community Service Award.

Teri LaJeunesse, Greene County’s Victim Witness Division director, said the award has been given by the county prosecutor’s office during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week for more than 20 years.

Katie Deedrick, Wright State University Office of Student Support Services director

“Katie has done an excellent job for many years working with individuals who have been, or might be, victimized,” LaJeunesse said. “She has balanced the needs of the university with making sure the needs of the individuals have been met.”

Deedrick promotes personal safety among the student body and helps introduce community agencies to students who might utilize their services. When an assault or other incident takes place, she is also the person who receives the phone call in the middle of the night and drives to the hospital to offer the university’s help to the victim and his or her family.

Kathy Morris, associate vice president in the Division of Student Affairs, said, “Nobody else could do Katie’s job the way she does it.”

“She takes every incident very personally,” Morris said. “She is ‘all in’ in terms of helping that student. Especially in situations where there is not much family support, she’ll make sure the student gets the help they need.”

“Whether it’s noon or 4 a.m., Katie shows the university’s heart to students and their families,” said Dan Abrahamowicz, Division of Student Affairs vice president.