Committed to Impact: AAI Staff Recognized for Years of Service to KU and Communities

Nearly 50 Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) employees are celebrating significant years of service milestones at KU this year — a testament to the dedication, passion, and staying power of the people who make AAI what it is. Behind every project, service, and innovation at AAI are individuals committed to improving lives and strengthening communities.  
  
What Makes AAI, AAI?  
At the heart of AAI is an ambitious mission: to improve the lives of children and adults. What began as a vision has become a dynamic organization fueled by the people who work here—individuals driven by purpose, compassion, and a belief in making a real difference. Over the past 12 years, AAI has grown substantially in staff and scope, expanding its reach across Kansas and the nation. But the foundation remains the same: people committed to meaningful change.  

Across AAI, staff bring a wide range of expertise—from assessment design and statewide education support to tutoring and community engagement. Many have been with AAI since its inception, or even before, when their work began under predecessor centers. Their dedication speaks to the culture AAI has built—one of collaboration, growth, and shared purpose. 

For Randi Harms, deputy director of Center for Public Partnerships & Research (CPPR), that purpose has been clear from the beginning. A former case manager, Harms joined AAI to broaden her impact and found a professional home in CPPR. “Each day brings a new challenge to tackle or hurdle to think through,” she said. Over a decade, she has seen the center triple in size, but the biggest impact, she says, has been personal: “Many, many colleagues have shaped my approach to work, my view of the world, and even how I see myself.” 

Harms credits AAI with fostering a learning community. “The AAI community is like the communities we work with—full of strengths, challenges, and opportunities. We’re better when we work together with empathy and compassion.” 

Tammy Mayer, a project manager at Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS), shares that sentiment. Mayer viewed KU as a dream workplace during graduate school and as an educator working in special education. “I always thought, ‘Wouldn't it be awesome to work with these people who you think are like superstars?’ And lo and behold, here I am,” she said. 

In her five years at ATLAS, Mayer has found not only professional growth but deep camaraderie. “I haven’t met a person that isn't awesome,” she said. “Working with great teams of people makes it fun to work every day, as an employee who works primarily in a distributive environment.” Mayer’s future-oriented mindset drives her involvement in innovative projects: “I really enjoy working with teams of like-minded people and thinking about what we can do to explore and continue to grow.” 

For Dale Cope, research project director at ATLAS, the mission and people make all the difference. “It’s about commitment to the work and the people,” Cope said. After a career in K–12 education and administration and state contract work in Alaska, she found a welcoming and empowering environment at AAI. “KU has been the best place I have ever worked.” 

Working remotely from Alaska, Cope cherishes her visits to Lawrence. “I call it coming back to the mothership… it feels like recharging,” she said. She credits leaders for fostering an environment of trust and creative freedom. “It’s just really nice being able to work in that sort of environment.” 

TRIO SES & STEM Director Gretchen Heasty never imagined that she would still be a part of the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs (CEOP) 25 years after finding the position through a newspaper ad, but the students she works with have kept her motivated and excited to come to work.  

“I love meeting students at the start of their college journey and mentoring and guiding them to their college graduation and beyond,” Heasty said. “I have the opportunity to work with students in every major and discipline offered at KU, and no day is ever the same.” 

Heasty said that past TRIO leaders empowered her to carry on the TRIO legacy of advancing educational opportunities and that her current teammates at CEOP and AAI have taught her the power of coalitions and dedication. “The AAI community has become my extended KU family. I have such great respect and admiration for my colleagues and students, and it’s a privilege to be part of this larger community,” Heasty said. 

Assessment & Technology Solutions Associate Director Rohit Yadav loves seeing his ideas come to life, and that’s what initially drew him to AAI. But over the past 10 years, he has gained an appreciation for the impact the work has on others. 

“When I first joined, I was mainly focused on the work itself, but as time went on, I started to see how much impact our work has on students and educators,” Yadav said. “Being part of something that helps people gives more meaning to what I do, and that’s a big reason I’ve stayed and grown here.” 

To Yadav, AAI is a place where you work as a team to tackle difficult challenges. “It’s the kind of place where you can try new things, speak up, and know that someone’s there to help if you need it,” Yadav said. “That kind of trust and support has meant a lot to me.” 

Mark Sidener, a long-time video editor with ATS, found more than a job at AAI — he found purpose. “I love the overall mission and being a part of something much bigger than myself,” he said. Over the years, he has grown from a specialist role into a team member who embraces new challenges and supports a variety of projects. “There’s no way to grow if you keep doing the same thing over and over,” he reflected.  

Sidener credits his supervisors and colleagues for that growth. “We engage very well as a team with respect and understanding,” he said. “My supervisor has continued to push me when I need it and compliment my work.” The lessons he’s learned—patience, adaptability, and openness to other perspectives—are ones he carries daily.  

This year, many AAI employees were honored at the KU Employee Recognition Ceremony for their years of service. Their stories, experiences, and dedication represent only a snapshot of what makes AAI thrive.  

It’s not just the mission that makes AAI what it is — it’s the people. It’s because of those people that AAI continues to grow, evolve, and improve lives every day.  

Thank you for making an impact at AAI and KU! Your years of service reflect a dedication to the work we do, and we are grateful for your talent, expertise, and efforts.