In fall 2019, Student Affairs developed an employee recognition program in the four important areas of student retention, customer service, leadership, and morale building. The program’s purpose is to shine a light on the talent, commitment, and compassion demonstrated by our staff. Nominations were accepted by peers and supervisors during the months of January through March. We are delighted to announce the winners.
April 2020 winners
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student retention | Customer service | Leadership | Morale building |
| Carolyn Wray Counseling Services |
Kimberly Herron Financial Aid |
Charlotte Beck Health Services |
Aresh Assadi Counseling Services |
Here are some plaudits from the nominations:
Aresh Assadi
Upon being named as Assistant Director of Counseling Services, Assadi’s first thought was to do something to help with the morale of the staff (setting up and funding a professional development foundation account for Counseling Services). This exhibits some of the same care and concern as did our chancellor when she was first named.
He is the first to volunteer for university events, especially those in Student Affairs. He sees this as part of his job, to support his colleagues and their endeavors.
Charlotte Beck
Health Services was without a director for over a year. In this time, Charlotte took on many of the Director’s duties on top of her Assistant Director job, while juggling personnel issues and turnover. She coordinated the drafting of needed policies and procedures for the department, which helped Health Services move forward on this important initiative, rather than wait for the new Director who was named in February 2020.
In the absence of a Director there’s been no lapse or diminution in service. Charlotte is quick to claim responsibility for her department when there is an issue. She consistently demonstrates strong leadership and commitment to the department and to the university.
Kimberly Herron
Kim is always providing excellent customer service! She empathizes when talking with our students and will go out of her way to talk to someone or answer a question even if she is busy. When answering the phone, students frequently request to talk with her because of how nice and kind she is on the phone. She is also awesome to work with!
She is always willing to listen to a student’s problems and is constantly requested because of how nice she is on the phone and in person. Everyone in our office loves Kim. She lights up the room and her smile is truly contagious!
Carolyn Wray
Carolyn works with students with serious personal issues, dealing with past trauma, serious mental health issues, and financial problems. She is not just a counselor, she is an unofficial retention machine, whether it be advocating for students on financial aid issues, writing letters to faculty members, connecting students with resources, or teaching them skills to be successful. Carolyn works to ensure mental health issues are not the reason our students drop out of college.
If there is anything within her power to do to assist a student to be enrolled and continue in school she will do it. I am very proud to work with a devoted staff like Carolyn Wray. She merits any recognition that the University deems fit.
Please join Student Affairs in congratulating these stellar colleagues!
