Tami Park, of the Office of Community Engagement, is the February Employee of the Month

February 25, 2016

Tami Park (center) was the recipient of the February Employee of the Month award.

Tami Park, the assistant director for community outreach and partnerships in University Advancement's Office of Community Engagement, is the University's February Employee of the Month.

Park was honored for her initiative and quick thinking while coordinating a near-impossible task arranging for First Lady Michelle Obama to visit campus for a "Fruit N Vegetable" (FNV) event promoting healthy eating. The program, held last fall at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, was attended by students from across Hampton Roads and featured several high-profile entertainment celebrities.

"It should be noted that this event would likely have never happened at ODU had it not been for Tami's keen ear and power of persuasion," said Karen Meier, assistant vice president for community engagement. "You see, she was involved in one of her many community partner events when she overheard talk about the event. Realizing the obvious opportunities an event of this nature would have on the University and our region, Tami quickly sold the organizer on hosting the event at ODU."

Park quickly coordinated community partners, ticketing, volunteers and a U.S. Secret Service detail with professionalism and a can-do attitude, Meier said.

"The Fruit N Vegetable event was a huge success largely in part to Tami's commitment to ODU, enthusiasm, and ingenuity," Meier said. "Tami's planning and oversight of this event was excellent and is a large part of why ODU was able to host such a widely publicized event with several celebrities, including First Lady Michelle Obama."

Park has been an Old Dominion University employee since 2006.

DETAILS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCESS

The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate outstanding "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and/or demeanor exemplifies 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 that time.

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.