The Department of Human Resources would like to congratulate Michele Conner and Gina King on receiving this honor.
Michele Conner, Program Administrative Specialist of the President’s Office, has been selected as the Nonexempt Employee of the Quarter for October-December of 2022. Michele began her career with UMBC in 2019 in her current position.
Michele was nominated by Candace Dodson-Reed, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion in the President’s Office. Candace says, “Michele has done an excellent job in her role as Program Management Specialist, and she has adjusted well to changing demands over the past two years. She has taken a leadership role in supervising other staff, and she has the ability to stay positive even when confronted with unexpected changes. Her enthusiasm for her role supporting the president is evident, and her personal journey as a graduate student speaks to her commitment to the university and its mission.”
“Besides providing support to the President and seeking her graduate degree at UMBC, Michele is also contributing as a member of the Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practices Workgroup of the Inclusion Council. She is a part of the positive culture change that UMBC is undergoing.”
“Michele has played a crucial role in taking on more duties when there were vacancies in the President’s Office and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. To make sure that everything kept running “business as usual”, Michele has had to perform more tasks and learn additional skills. She did so with poise and grace. Without her efforts, some of the core functions of OEI and the President’s Office would have slowed or even stopped. She facilitated the transition of staff for OEI seamlessly.”
Michele was presented her award on October 24, 2022 by Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby and Candice Dotson-Reed. The Office of the President celebrated with a surprise luncheon celebration in honor of Michele.
Gina King, Associate Director in Recruitment, Events, and Orientation of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, has been selected as the Exempt Employee of the Quarter for October-December of 2022. Gina began her career at UMBC in June 2018 as an Associate Director and was promoted to her current position in January 2022.
Gina was nominated by Dale Bittinger, Assistant Vice Provost in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. Dale says, in her role as the Associate Director of Recruitment, Events, and Orientation, Gina is responsible for the planning and implementation of the office’s recruitment and yield efforts. This includes working with prospective students and their families from when they are in high school or community college until they attend the new student orientation program and leave with a class schedule in hand.
“Gina was able to flourish with the challenges of COVID and moving to a virtual setting and online platform. Gina’s accomplishments are numerous. They not only include her work with events and programs, but they also include collaborating with her colleagues in Enrollment Management and across campus. From her work with Institutional Advancement in the office’s marketing efforts to her work with staff in Information Technology and the implementation of the new Salesforce CRM (in which we are engaging 80,000-100,000 prospects) Gina is viewed as a leader. She often challenges her colleagues to think differently, and bigger, about what has been done in the past, but this is balanced with an understanding of the available resources. She is viewed as a problem-solver and always has the students’ best interest at heart.”
Gina has received much praise from her colleagues and other collaborators.
Ken Baron, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Student Success adds how her character is evident in her work: “We appreciate her open-minded, genuine, curious approach to problem-solving as well as her high-energy and infectious sense of humor. Gina brings out the best in people and generates notable outcomes by using a management approach that respects the “iterative” manner in which programs improve over time, yet also can invoke direct “calls” to action when needed.”
Ralph Caretti, Director of IT Systems and Services added, “Gina displays both competence and relevant experience in projects in which we are both involved. Her exceedingly positive attitude is a calming force and often makes difficult work less stressful and more rewarding for others. Her professionalism and commitment to excellent service reflect positively both on her and UMBC.”
As Pam Hawley, Registrar, says, “Gina brings positivity, energy and an innovative spirit to every event, meeting or conversation. I’d almost say others find it impossible not to approach planning, brainstorming and problem-solving with a high level of motivation and enthusiasm when collaborating with Gina – her bright outlook is contagious.”
Dale summarized by saying, “Gina has earned a reputation at UMBC, as well as locally and statewide, with her peers both at the university level and in high schools, as an extremely knowledgeable and highly competent go-to person on all matters related to admissions. She is frequently called upon to serve as a panelist and to work with students who may not have the necessary resources to navigate the college admissions process. She has a strong commitment to access, equity, and inclusion and frequently volunteers to assist in these efforts. Overall, Gina is most deserving of the Employee of the Quarter as she represents the best of the best of what is UMBC.”
Gina was presented her award during a staff meeting. She was surprised and proud to be selected as EOQ and was grateful for the recognition.
Recipients receive $500, a special parking space, one day of administrative leave, a certificate, his/her/their name on the Employee of the Quarter plaque and an invitation to the annual Service Award Ceremony.
Human Resources offers special thanks to everyone that nominated an employee for the award. Previous nominations received will be eligible for consideration for one year from the date received. The next Employee of the Quarter recipients will be selected in January.