Academic Affairs Resource Analyst Named March Employee of the Month

April 09, 2015

Shari Swain and President John R. Broderick

Shari Swain, a resource analyst in academic affairs, is Old Dominion University's March Employee of the Month.

Swain was hired by the University in 2005. According to a nomination letter written by Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chandra R. de Silva, she goes above and beyond to help others not only in her division but throughout the University.

In the letter, de Silva wrote: "Shari would always go out of her way to see that I got the information that I wanted. She developed the process to place FacFile information on a shared drive - a move that saved much paper and made information readily available. In her own sphere of work, she is supremely efficient and takes pride in what she does."

Swain's supervisor, Jim Duffy, associate vice president for academic affairs, noted in another letter that Swain is an all-around excellent employee. He went on to list many accomplishments and positive effects Shari has had on the campus and the community, including her ability to collaborate with others to find common ground and solutions to difficult challenges.

"Shari Swain operates under the radar quietly and efficiently navigating administrative systems, policies and procedures, inter-departmental problems and finding solutions for all kinds of daily issues challenging the Academic Affairs Division of the University," Duffy stated.

DETAILS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCESS

The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate their outstanding, "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and/or demeanor exemplify excellence, quality service and commitment to ODU. Classified and AP faculty employees receive a framed certificate from the president, $175 and one day of leave. Hourly winners get $250, since they are not eligible to receive recognition leave.

Note: The selection committee needs specific examples that relate to each applicable criterion in order to select a nominee for the award. Nominations remain active for six months from date of submission and nominators may submit additional documentation to support a nominee during the active six months.

The criteria used to nominate an employee include the following:

• An outstanding accomplishment that benefited the department/students.
• Extraordinary service to internal and/or external customers.
• Inspiring initiative/leadership.
• Enthusiasm/energy given to assigned work.
• Teamwork.
• Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility.
• Creative innovations to service, process or work tools.

For more information contact Tony Belk at jbelk@odu.edu or 683-3046, or visit ODU's Employee of the Month website.