Karen Smallets, Assistant Director of University Publications is the August Employee of the Month

August 30, 2016

President John R. Broderick and Karen Smallets

Karen Smallets, the assistant director of University Publications for University Design and Publications, is Old Dominion University's Employee of the Month for August.

Smallets has been employed with ODU since 1998. She was nominated by Shara Weber who cited her professional accomplishments and adherence to University service standards. Recently Smallets worked for months diligently redesigning Monarch Magazine, Old Dominion's alumni periodical.

"[Smallets] has taken the initiative and gone above and beyond her usual high quality work these last few months to ensure the magazine looks fresh and exciting while still meeting deadlines for printing," Weber said. "The Monarch Magazine redesign was an enormous undertaking and as a result of her creative vision and hard work, it looks terrific and will certainly generate continued enthusiasm for the magazine and Old Dominion University."

Smallets is also credited with being an outstanding leader who works well both independently and in a team environment. She has the ability to collaborate with others and offer expert knowledge and experience.

"Karen is never satisfied with 'good' work; she will keep working until her designs are 'great,'" said Caitlin Chandler, the executive director of Marketing and Communications, in a statement of support for Smallets's nomination. "When we started the celebration of the 85th anniversary of ODU, Karen designed all of the 85th anniversary designs - from a commemorative mark, to flags, to Tervis Tumblers. Karen is a pleasure and has been serving this University tirelessly for many years."

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.