2005 Recipients

2004 Recipients

2005 Staff Employee of the Month Recipients

Nathell Grubbs - Technician
Construction Sciences

Enthusiastic, proactive, team player, dedicated, inspirational, and positive influence are all words her coworkers use to describe December Staff Employee of the Month Nathell Grubbs, technician in Construction Sciences.

"Nathell is extremely dedicated to the college and her role as laboratory technician. There is no job she is unwilling to do for the good of the faculty, department or college. She is a wonderful asset," says her supervisor, Antoinette Baldin, chair of Construction Sciences.

Her nominator, Dean Bortz, instructor in Construction Sciences, says the esprit d'corps that Grubbs engenders is infectious. "Her enthusiasm for her work and joy of learning radiates all around her," he says.

"Nothing seems to get her down, and even if she's having a bad day, or someone has 'lost it,' she never lets it get in the way of getting things done right the first time," continues Bortz.

Bortz says she is a team player who coordinates efforts for each program in the department, works with everyone no matter the situation, and leads or follows as the situation requires. "Nathell's commitment to excellence and infectious spirit make her a great staff member, day in and day out. She inspires me to do my best as an instructor and to always aspire to do my best each and every day."

At Grubbs' recognition ceremony, President Moeller thanked her "for being one of those staff members who accomplishes the many little things that make a big difference to the college."

 

Marla Crouch - Interpreter
Disability Services

Team player, student focused, and efficient are a few of the attributes that earned Marla Crouch, sign language interpreter in Disability Services, Staff Employee of the Month for November. A Disability Services employee for 24 years, Crouch is an integral part of the services provided for deaf students, as well as a contributor to improving procedures and services for all Disability Services students.

"Her interest in effective services, adaptive technology, computers and software led her to recommending and taking a role with other staff in redesigning testing services, forms, the Resource Center, and service provision procedures," says Wayne Cocchi, director of Disability Services.

Always helpful, encouraging and friendly, Crouch is often looked to for assistance by colleagues because of her extensive knowledge of computer programs, services offered and the equipment used. This also spills over to students who come to the department frustrated or stressed. She talks to them calmly, positively, respectfully, and often with a wry sense of humor to help them become more relaxed and at ease.

"Her foremost efforts are focused on the students, whether in the classroom interpreting or in the Resource Center," says her supervisor Nellie Nelson, assistant director of Disability Services. "She is an integral team member in our efforts to provide efficient and superior services for our students."

One of the many initiatives Crouch undertook was working with fellow Disability Services staff to set up a Test Schedule on Excel, moving the department from a paper and pencil system to a more efficient and accurate method on the computer. In addition, she trains fellow coworkers on using the schedule and each quarter consistently updates information and makes any adjustments necessary. She also supports the Resource Center staff and cross-trained to perform other Resource Center staff duties when needed.

Noticing that the Testing Center and Disability Services had different procedures and forms for providing testing services for students, Crouch took a lead role in adapting the Testing Center's forms to be in line with the center's procedures.

According to her nominator, Jerri Heine, sign language interpreter in Disability Services, "Marla is an excellent team player and makes a real difference to Columbus State and to members of the campus community."

 

October, 2005

September, 2005

Scott Rombauer - Program Coordinator
Teacher Quality Enhancement Scholarship Program

When it comes to recruiting, no one is at the top of their game like Scott Rombauer, Staff Employee of the Month for October. Rombauer, currently coordinator of the Teacher Quality Enhancement Scholarship Program, was nominated for being a true asset and having a significant impact on recruitment and retention while an enrollment advisor in the Admissions Office.

As an enrollment advisor, Rombauer coordinated the campus visitation program and led the middle school program visits, for which he developed a targeted presentation, an interactive experience, and a campus tour, and created a newsletter targeted to the middle school audience.

"Students, school representatives, and parents are always full of compliments for Scott and have expressed great appreciation for his organized and disarming presentation style, as well as the thorough information he provides," comments Tari Blaney, director of admissions. "He never complains and always goes the extra mile for students, advocating and following through on issues to ensure resolution."

In admissions, his other duties included recruiting at high schools and special events, presenting forums on the dropped for non-payment policies, and serving as the co-chair of the Strategic Enrollment Management's "Rappers" subcommittee, where he helped convert prospective students into applicants who registered and paid.

According to his nominator Ken Conner, dean of Enrollment Services, "Scott is very adept at multi-tasking, and he's not afraid to volunteer his time and talent, yet he is very unassuming in his demeanor." He continued, "If a crisis comes up unexpectedly, Scott can always be counted on to take care of the issue. He is cheerful and a very positive influence on others, whether they are staff, students, prospective students or parents."

His ability to multi-task and advocate for students will certainly come in handy in his new role as co-coordinator of the Teacher Quality Enhancement Scholarship Program with Laura Shady. Rombauer uses his creativity and results-oriented approach to meet with students who want to pursue a teaching career in mathematics or science at the middle school level. Through advising, he helps students who are maintaining a 2.5 grade point average in the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree programs, gather information about the $2,500 per-year scholarship that guarantees them a job in the Columbus Public Schools' middle school system for the same length of time as the scholarship was received.

"I am definitely surprised and honored," said Rombauer of his recognition. "I appreciate the recognition and I thank everyone very much."

Vickie Hunter - Administrative Assistant
Institutional Advancement

Vickie Hunter is "dedicated, meticulous, extremely professional and has a terrific attitude," said Will Kopp, vice president for Institutional Advancement, about the administrative assistant that is "indispensable" to him and to the department where she has worked for nine years.


Hunter was named Staff Employee of the Month September 14 at the monthly presentation.

"This year Vickie was asked to expand her job duties to include project management, and she now keeps all the department activities on deadline," said Kopp. "She also took on a huge project this spring, Val's Book Club, which everyone loves."

"Vickie does everything but read the book for me," added President Moeller.

Hunter is highly regarded across the college, wrote Kopp in his nomination, noting that she serves on the Staff Advisory Council, where she was elected treasurer, and currently serves on the Compensation Review Committee. She also works extra hours in the Cashier's Office during rush periods, where Darlene Evans, supervisory of Student Accounting, said she is an "outstanding employee."

"At the beginning of Winter Quarter, we received several inquiries from students who had problems with financial aid or registration," said Kopp. "Vickie handled all of these inquiries personally, gathering information from the students during the day and then finding answers for them during the evenings, often on her own time."
 

August, 2005

July, 2005

Maureen Erney - Specialist
Central Scheduling

Dedicated, caring, hard-working, and dependable are just a few of the words used to describe the August Staff Employee of the Month Maureen Erney, Central Scheduling specialist.

Erney is a long-time employee, having worked for the college for more than twenty years. Throughout her career at Columbus State, she has served as a work-study student in the President's Office, worked in the Financial Aid Office, and served as an office associate for Instructional Services.

Currently, as Central Scheduling specialist in Instructional Services, Erney is working hand-in-hand with IT to implement the online WebViewer portion of the Resource 25 scheduling system. Prior to WebViewer, which will provide a college events calendar and assist with scheduling requests for campus meeting space, she helped implement Resource 25 and Schedule 25 which provide scheduling of classrooms each quarter.

President Moeller said "Not many understand what goes on behind the scenes to make things run smoothly for the start of classes. Scheduling rooms is an important component that must be done accurately."

According to her nominator Jennifer Snider, office associate in Instructional Services, "Maureen goes out of her way for employees and students, has shown that she is dedicated to the college and its mission, and has proven to be a hard-working employee."

As Central Scheduling Coordinator, Erney knows the importance of meeting deadlines, even if it means staying late and coming in early, particularly at the beginning of each quarter to schedule rooms for classes. Maureen feels her primary goal is to serve the students of Columbus State and is more than willing to take on "other duties as assigned."

Outside her regular job duties, Erney is active in several campus committees including Shared Governance, the Shared Governance Fiscal Resources and Facilities committee, the Delaware Campus Committee and the Assignment of Facilities meetings.

According to her supervisor Jay Benedict, administrator of Curriculum Management, "Maureen is known throughout campus by administrators, faculty and students as a very generous person who will do anything for anyone on or off campus. She does an excellent job at everything she does."

At the August 17 ceremony, Erney was excited to receive her award. Smiling, she said, "People have come and gone in my time at Columbus State, but I have continued to find working at the college a good challenge. My life has expanded tremendously since I began working here."

Mike Yuille - Building Services
Physical Plant

A self-starter with an attention for detail, Mike Yuille, a building services employee in Physical Plant, was named July Staff Employee of the Month for his strong work ethic and quiet professionalism.

Of Yuille's and physical plant's efforts, President Val Moeller said, "We take for granted how nice the campus looks every day. Physical Plant is the first contact everyone has with the college, and they have a great impact on how people perceive us. All Physical Plant employees make Columbus State an inviting, quality place that cares."

Consistently going above and beyond the expectations of his duties, Yuille takes great care and pride in his work. Nominator Jean Liddle, financial aid advisor, admires his pleasant and cheerful personality, as well as his attention to detail. "It is not uncommon to see Mike working on a spot, scuff or stain that could easily be 'glazed' over."

According to Christopher Terry, supervisor of building services, "Mike is very deserving of this recognition. He is a very strong link in the chain that makes up the physical plant, and we are proud to have him as part of our team."

What is Yuille's reaction to this award? "I've enjoyed working here. Columbus State goes out of its way to accommodate its employees. I never have trouble getting out of bed to come to work."

June 2005

May, 2005

Karen Payne-Robertson - Site Specialist
Off Campus Programs

If you've ever walked into the Goodale Center, you've immediately felt welcome as Karen Payne-Robertson, site specialist, greets you with her infectious smile and a warm "hello." Always full of energy, her zest for life comes through in everything she does.

From assigning rooms to assisting with AV requests, answering questions, making special arrangements, and helping with event preparation, she is eager to make everyone's experience at the Goodale Center a pleasant one. With an eye for detail, she handles multiple tasks with a breeze, all while producing high-quality results in an efficient, positive and professional manner despite deadline pressures.

Every day, Payne-Robertson greets and assists a diverse group of students, trainees and participants attending workshops, meetings and classes. Larry Gill, program coordinator of Automotive and Applied technology says, "First impressions are very important, and all visitors to the Electrical Trades Center come away feeling their experience with Columbus State was very beneficial due to their interactions with Karen."

A jack of all trades, Payne-Robertson continuously works in support of the college's mission. While teaching at the Goodale Center, Sue Lape, Ph.D., professor in the Communication Skills Department, observed Payne-Robertson's patience interacting with students. "Her little acts of kindness mean a great deal to students who live busy and complicated lives, and certainly this kind of professional and caring attention has a positive impact on student success and retention. Karen is a helpful, positive and confident colleague who fully supports our teaching mission," Lape says.

According to nominators Susan Norris-Berry, administrator of Off-Campus Programs, and Yvonne Watson, supervisor of Off-Campus Programs, "Karen is undoubtedly the type of person that has potential for great success, both personally and professionally. Her natural abilities combined with her work ethic and ability to evolve academically and socially are a recipe for success."

President Moeller added, "On more than one occasion I have received emails and phone calls telling me of the great service Karen provides at the Goodale Center."

Professor Lape sums up the June employee of the month best when she says, "Karen is one exceptional Columbus State employee."

Babette Money - Supervisor of Safety & Security
Public Safety Department

May Staff Employee of the Month Babette Money works day-to-day to ensure campus safety and preparedness in case of crisis, yet she is not afraid to dig in and help out on office moving day if it helps her co-workers feel more comfortable and "secure" in their own new digs!

Wanting to make sure Public Safety's move last fall into their new office in Union Hall went smoothly, Money, supervisor of Safety and Security, became the key coordinator of a seamless transition.

"Babs," as her coworkers call her, ordered special desks for the staff, came in on her days off to organize and clean, and made sure everyone in Public Safety had the items they needed to make their work space more pleasant. Always willing to take on extra tasks, her detailed planning and hard work helped to bring the department together as a team.

According to her nominator, Police Officer Becky Johnson, "She always has a positive attitude that seems to be contagious. I would love to work with 100 more people like Babette."

While her day-to-day duties have her working on hazmat (hazardous materials) issues, meeting fire codes in all new building construction and renovation, and checking on fire and burglary alarms, Money found time to collaborate with John Nestor, director of the department of Public Safety, to develop a comprehensive crisis management plan for the college. The next time you find yourself looking through your Emergency Response Procedures flip chart for steps to take in a medical emergency, campus evacuation or power outage, you have Money to thank for the life-saving information. In addition, she has completed a crisis management manual and is currently working on an emergency management manual.

"I can't say enough good things about Babs," says Nestor. "She always has a positive can-do, take-charge attitude." Money's response: "I truly enjoy working at Columbus State. My time here has been wonderful, and all the people are great. In my previous jobs, I've always struggled to get an education, and now, at Columbus State, it keeps coming at me."

April, 2005

March, 2005

Jin Bae Chi - System Administrator
Information Technology

According to his coworkers, Jin Bae "Gus" Chi, system administrator in the Data Center, always goes the extra mile to assist with projects or problems. Whether individually or as part of a team, his flexibility, dedication and initiative enable him to achieve IT goals and complete projects. And that's why he was named Staff Employee of the Month for April.

Through consolidating and optimizing the Data Center's storage and backup systems, Jin Bae Chi helped the data system support the college more effectively and efficiently. According to his nominator, Chris Scanlon, supervisor of Network Administration, "He has a very helpful, flexible and dedicated attitude and is always available and willing to help."

Dave Dilley, assistant director of the Data Center says, "I am impressed with his development and growth in the system area. He is a hard worker and is always willing to assist with any issue."
 

William Bretz - Mail Clerk
Office Services

William Bretz, mail clerk in Office Services, was recognized yesterday for his hard work, dedication, and his unflappable cheerfulness as the Staff Employee of the Month for March.

An employee for the past 10 years, Willie, as he's known around campus, always has a smile, a friendly "hello" and a joyful spirit for anyone he sees, says Bill Silcott, director of Office Services. Willing to go the extra mile, Willie delivers items back to office services, diverts packages to other locations upon request, and makes sure his customers receive their packages no matter what the weather.

"Willie is someone who brings a little bit of sunshine and joy to everyone's day," says Silcott. "The college has a great asset in William."

Tommy Lucas, dispatcher in the Public Safety Department, uses his in-depth knowledge of computers to improve the efficiency of his department.

Lucas administers the department's police reporting system and helped train his co workers to use the statewide system. He developed an Access program to handle parking ticket storage. He also created an Excel spreadsheet to handle the department's lost and found items and then downloaded the sheet to a location that all officers could access, even after office hours.

Further modernizing the department, Lucas converted the key issuance system from old-fashioned index cards to a computer program, and he is working on a computer-aided dispatch system. He also maintains the department's cell phone list, which helped him collect and verify information for the new "Critical Information" book, a reference guide for dispatchers.

"Tom is the kind of person who seizes the moment and takes the initiative to improve something when he sees it," said John Nestor, chief of Public Safety. "That kind of an employee is a breath of fresh air to any administrator."

Julie Sullivan, advisor in the Student Support Services program, part of the federally funded TRIO programs, has been named January Staff Employee of the Month.

Sullivan is responsible for counseling students about academic issues and financial aid, as well as personal and career issues. She works with low-income, first-generation and disabled college students who qualify for these services.

Dale Gresson, also an advisor in Student Support Services, nominated Julie for the award because, "She has developed a sense of trust (with her students) that allows them to share situations that might have otherwise forced them to drop out of school. Because of the efforts of Julie, students find themselves attending classes the next quarter."