Transportation and Parking Services Supervisor is May Employee of the Month

May 28, 2015

Michael Afton is Employee of the Month for May

Michael Afton, of transportation and parking services, is the Old Dominion University Employee of the Month for May.

Afton joined Old Dominion in 2008 as a work study student assistant, and is now the University's nighttime transportation supervisor. He not only contributes within his department, but goes above and beyond to help the entire university, according to his award nomination.

In nominating Afton, his supervisor, Matthew McCluney wrote: "Over the past year he has stepped into a new classified position and taken on the challenge of running the SafeRide program (which provides safe transportation to Old Dominion's students, faculty and staff).

"The program has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to his steadfast leadership and long hours," McCluney stated, in the nomination letter. "Mr. Afton put in the time and held together his dedicated staff of SafeRide drivers and dispatchers to serve more passengers in the first four months of this academic year than the entirety of last year."

Afton is no stranger to going above and beyond his normal duties to help the SafeRide program grow and develop. In February of 2015, Afton made a trip to the University of Virginia to learn from their campus SafeRide program and gain insight to help the ODU program grow. He also led the recruitment process to hire many new SafeRide drivers and dispatchers to ensure the campus is meeting a growing need.

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.