The College of Southern Maryland recognized 16 employees who have made significant contributions to the colleges success during the past six months at a reception at the La Plata Campus Oct. 14. Employees were recognized for their actions and accomplishments in response to the colleges seven principles of diversity, excellence, innovation, integrity, knowledge, respect and teamwork.
The colleges Employee Recognition and Awards Program gives staff and faculty the opportunity to recognize their co-workers excellence in the following categories: College/Community Service, Extra Mile, Innovator, Leadership, Innovative Teaching, Professional Goal Attainment and the Presidents Award. The awards are open to individuals, groups and teams.
The College/Community Service Award recognizes employees who have provided quality service and have done an excellent job to ensure satisfaction to the community. An award was presented to Support Specialist Lindy Galbraith for her involvement in the success of the Pulse of Southern Maryland community opinion surveys. Pulse gives insight into what people in Southern Maryland feel about important issues. Galbraith oversaw students who have made 3,500 phone calls to tri-county residents.
The Extra Mile Award recognizes employees who have made significant contributions over an extended period of time. An award was presented to Administrative Assistant Linda Cooke Smith for her assistance to the Communication, Arts and Humanities (CAH) Division. In addition to her regular position in the Languages and Literature (LAN) Division, Smith assisted the new academic chair with divisional issues when needed. To ensure a seamless transition, Smith simultaneously processed summer faculty contracts and reports for both divisions providing great customer service and continues to assist in the training of the new CAH administrative assistant.
The Innovator Award recognizes efficiencies that save the college substantial money or work, improve student educational experiences or lead the college in a new direction. A team award was given to Executive Assistant Toni Kruszka, Financial Assistance Advisor Erika Abell, Executive Director of the Enrollment Management Team Joan Middleton and System Administrator James Graves for their work in the purchasing, planning and implementation of the CSM Scholarship Finder software and related business processes. The project, launched last year, allows students to search for scholarships based on income, residence, program of study and other criteria. Over the past year, more than 100 scholarships and $200,000 have been awarded to CSM students.
The Leadership Award recognizes employees who have applied strong leadership skills to the success of a curricular project, committee responsibility, administrative project or major college activity. The award was given to Marketing Executive Director Theresa Johnson for her efforts in completing the academics web page project. Johnson developed a new design based on a survey of the industry that aligned with industry standards and contained accurate and useful information for students. The breadth and depth of CSMs academic programs are more visible and apparent to visitors of the new web pages.
The Innovative Teaching Award recognizes individual faculty members who have improved the educational experiences of students and, in doing so, have moved the college forward in a strategic direction. A team award was given to Professor Kim Donnelly, Professor Janice McCue, Math, Physics and Engineering Division Chair Andrea Ronaldi and Student Success Center Director Pat Schroeder for their new strategic approach to developmental education. The team analyzed issues contributing to low student success rates and below average graduation rates and created the innovative Fast Track program offered in July and August prior to the Fall 2010 semester. Fast Track is comprised of accelerated learning sessions designed to enhance students knowledge in reading, math and English in order to either place into a higher level course or perform better in an existing course.
The Presidents Award is given to employees responsible for a project or a major accomplishment that supports the colleges strategic plan or promotes the colleges initiatives and goals. A team award was given to Business and Technology Division Chair Jeff Tjiputra, Professor Robert Gates and Lead Engineering Technician Henry Geer for their work preparing the Center for Nuclear Energy Training for the fall 2010 semester. Team members wrote grants totaling more than $380,000, developed curriculum, purchased and installed equipment and recruited students. CNET welcomed its first students on schedule.
The Professional Goal Attainment Award recognizes employees who have achieved a job-related educational or professional goal. Recognized were Administrative Assistant Brenda Miller who received her bachelors degree in communication studies from Towson University, and Scheduling and Conferences Services Assistant Robyn Wood, who received her bachelors degree in communications from the University of Maryland University College.
CSM is a seven-time recipient of the Workplace Excellence Award, and the 2010 Health and Wellness Trailblazer Award.
To view career opportunities through CSMs online application system, visit http://www.csmd.edu/employment/.