On Thursday, November 20, 2025, Covenant Village presented two significant awards during the recent Evening of Thanksgiving & Gratitude, recognizing 10 outstanding staff members for their contributions to the senior living community’s mission.

Both awards honor beloved community staff members who died far too soon.

The Brenda Harris Award was established in 2022 to celebrate employees who exemplify the CV CARES Core Values—Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Service. The Dean Mitchell Work Performance Award was inaugurated this year to recognize employees who demonstrate excellence, integrity, and leadership in their daily roles. Named after Dean Mitchell, this award recognizes individuals showcasing competence, commitment, honesty, approachability, dedication, and leadership by example. Members of the Leadership Team select recipients.

At Covenant Village, how we act, work, and treat others—residents, guests, and colleagues—shapes our culture.

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and named one of Forbes’ 100 Greatest Living Business Minds in 2017, says, “Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”

“We believe in a strong vision for our community and know we need great people to make it happen,” said Covenant Village CEO Dale Melton.

“As we celebrate the 2025 recipients, we reaffirm our commitment to investing in our workforce and fostering a work environment rooted in our core values. We thank all Covenant Village staff for their ongoing commitment and look forward to honoring more outstanding individuals in the future.”

2025 Brenda Harris Award Recipients

Shane Brown, Assistant Director of Property Services
Throughout his 30 years at Covenant Village, Shane has served in various roles, including Maintenance Worker, HVAC technician, Maintenance Supervisor, and now oversees all maintenance and renovation projects. Known for his caring nature, Shane is appreciated by colleagues and residents alike and is dedicated to maintaining a safe and functional community. “What truly sets him apart is his unwavering accountability; he holds himself to the highest standards because he believes our community deserves nothing less,” said Seth Heustess, Director of Property Services

Jessica Carlyle, Accounting Specialist
Celebrating her one-year anniversary in five days, Jessica consistently demonstrates excellence and a strong commitment to her duties. Her initiative, patience, and genuine care for the residents make her an outstanding asset to our community. Jessica is currently pursuing a degree to enhance her skills and was named one of the inaugural Employee of the Month recipients in October.

Jill Culberson, Beautician
Jill, a licensed beautician for 56 years, has been providing exceptional customer service at Covenant Village for 5 years. Jenn Barker, Senior Director of Human Resources, says Jill is dedicated to her work and consistently performs her duties with a smile, making residents happy and enjoying quality time with them while doing their hair. She has also won numerous employee monthly contests for accountability and work excellence.

Wanda Flowers, Director of ARISE Wellness
There are two types of new colleagues: those who wait to find their place in the office landscape, and those who establish their presence. In just over two years, Wanda has established her presence in a big way. She is one of the most dedicated and compassionate leaders in aging services. She leads interdisciplinary teams with empathy and strategic clarity, transforming our wellness culture. Under her leadership, resident engagement, health outcomes, and staff morale have all improved. From innovative wellness programs to mentoring staff, she exemplifies the holistic leadership vital for the future of aging well.

Jacinda Helton, Administrative Nurse
Hired in August 2009, Jacinda has over 16 years of caring and competent service to Covenant Village residents. She is known for her positive attitude, empathy, compassion, and calming presence, making her a vital part of the Nursing Management Team. Director of Nursing Stephanie Wellman describes Jacinda as versatile and capable; she handles many roles with ease, embodying a true ‘jill-of-all-trades.’

Christina “Chris” Johnson, Nursing Scheduler
In just over three years since joining Covenant Village in 2022, Christina has proven herself to be a caring, professional who actively seeks opportunities to serve residents and colleagues. When a department transition or role opening occurs, individuals like Christina—intelligent, detail-oriented, and self-motivated—stand out. She was an ideal fit for the Nursing Scheduler role, which requires managing many details to ensure quality care while staying within budget. But she didn’t want to give up providing care as a CNA. In addition to her new role, she still works on Sunday evenings to ensure she can provide care as a CNA to residents in the Arbor Wing.

Harolyn Johnson, CNA
As a dedicated member of the ARISE Health Center staff since July 2015, with over 30 years of caring for others, Harolyn consistently demonstrates unwavering commitment and genuine compassion, prioritizing residents’ comfort and well-being. She naturally connects with residents, offering both medical help and emotional support during vulnerable times. Harolyn is always there—for residents and colleagues alike—exuding leadership qualities that inspire teamwork and bring out the best in others.

The Dean Mitchell Award Recipients

Richard Austin, Lead Maintenance
Hired in 2014, he has served Residents for nearly 12 years with skilled, creative maintenance work. This Honoree embodies the qualities Dean Mitchell would have admired—steadiness, dedication, and integrity. He completes each job meticulously, paying attention to every detail. As Lead Maintenance, he manages numerous projects and trains others with the same care Dean was known for. He takes pride in his work and enjoys sharing his knowledge. At Covenant Village, he not only meets but exceeds our high standards in every aspect.

Rachel Hibberts, Day Shift Charge Nurse, LPN
Rachel has made a significant impact since joining Covenant Village in 2022. She is dedicated to compassionate care, demonstrating empathy and serving as a role model. Her focus on resident outcomes and staff wellbeing is evident daily. She juggles many roles—Charge Nurse, Mom, Wife, Student, Friend—yet remains positive and driven. Calm under pressure, she makes quick, informed decisions to ensure resident safety and quality care. A lifelong learner, she recently completed Leadership Team Training and actively engages with and seeks new leadership resources.

Maddy Hoffman, Night Shift Charge Nurse, LPN,
Maddy has made a lasting impression at ARISE Health Center in less than a year since her February hire. She exemplifies excellence, determination, and a commitment to self-improvement through education and experience. Starting as an LPN floor nurse at CV, she quickly became recognized as a “Star Nurse” by management. Her high standards and dedication led her to pursue a management role. While working toward her RN degree, she inquired about the Night Shift Supervisor position. Night shift nursing demands a special type of leader. Her skills, talent, and motivation convinced the Director of Nursing to create the charge nurse role. Since then, Maddy has excelled as a Charge Nurse, balancing her responsibilities with her nursing school coursework.