Congratulations to Bilky Okoh for being nominated by Steve Simon for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Steve Simon and Bilky Okoh (from left to right)

Description of Nomination: “Bilky is just one of these people who since I have arrived at USG this year, has been consistently helpful, courteous and prompt and professional in providing support to me on procurement and budgetary matter. She brings positive and supportive energy to her role and is always willing to answer my often “uniformed” questions about fiscal procedures and if she doesn’t know the answer herself, she always runs it down quickly and gets back to me. She is a great colleague and I just wanted to let her know how much she is appreciated for her efforts.”

Congratulations to Sharon Cannon and Patricia Wong for being nominated by Andrea Milo for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Sharon Cannon, Andrea Milo, Patricia Wong (from left to right)

Description of Nomination: “I would like to nominate Sharon Cannon and Patricia Wong for their outstanding contribution to make the Mobile Market a success. USG’s initiative of starting the Mobile Market has created a heightened awareness around the importance of food access within our community. It has reflected our mission of promoting wellness and growth by addressing the issue of food insecurity. By bringing the USG community together, the Mobile Market has fostered camaraderie among students, staff and faculty partners. In addition to that, the Grover Essentials was also launched this year and it has been a critical resource for all students and staff. I would like to acknowledge Sharon and Patricia as the most consistent VIP Volunteers at the Mobile Market. Thank you for your support and commitment”.

Congratulations to Alexa Brown for being nominated by Shelby Speer for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Shelby Speer and Alexa Brown (left to right)

Description of Nomination: Alexa has been a wonderful asset to the CSEF team. She had the very difficult job of filling in for many of Rachel’s responsibilities while she was on maternity leave, and she did an excellent job. Alexa is a model of maturity, friendliness, and teamwork. She is always willing to lend a hand, whether it’s stepping in last minute for an event or supporting staff on a project. She is a great listener, contributor, and colleague. We are certainly going to miss her when her contract expires

Congratulations to Nitshu Joshi and Neetha Thomas for being nominated by Jessica Nardi for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Nitshu Joshi, Jessica Nardi, Neetha Thomas (left to right)

Description of Nomination: “Nitshu and Neetha have done great work in the absence of an HR Manager. We are lucky to have them!!”

Congratulations to the service award winners! This year marks a significant milestone in your service to the USM System. We appreciate your dedication and hard work and look forward to many more years of your faithful service.

Chhaya Lagowala (25 Years of Service) with Dr. Edelstein (left to right)

Dr. Edelstein with Jessica Nardi (10 Years of Service) left to right

Rafiq Khan (10 Years of Service) not pictured

Ruth Najera, Erin Ward, Michael Badostain, Jennifer Riehl, Steven Thompon (5 Years of Service) with Dr. Edelstein

Taishan Gary and Neetha Thomas (5 Years of Service) not pictured

Congratulations to Obioma Akaigwe and Iris Schauerman for being nominated by Andrea Milo and Jessica Nardi for the USG Employee Recognition Spotlight Award.

Obioma Akaigwe, Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Iris Schauerman (left to right)

Description of Nomination (Andrea Milo):  “I don’t think anyone can deny that USG’s efforts to address food insecurity have made a lasting impact on the USG Community. The Mobile Market has brought staff members out of their offices to share smiles and jokes with fellow volunteers and participants, it has created a shared experience among students, staff and faculty partners that elicits excitement about “hot” items that month, and as we see the long times and regular utilization of about 300 guests it has creates heightened awareness around the importance of food access within a community. Working hand in hand Grover Essentials also launched this year has been a critical resource for the over 170 individuals who have visited our pantry almost 700 times in 2 semesters. In addition to supplementing food and basic necessities, we have heard from students that through its existence they feel that USG cares about them. No one can argue that without Obii and Iris these two resources would not exist. Bringing two labor heavy initiatives to USG was no easy task and a number of processes, protocol and collaborations had to be made. Whether it is Obii meeting Capital Area Food Bank outside rain or shine each month to try to harness those unruly potatoes or Iris driving out to Manna Food Center each Friday afternoon to pick up crates of food that our students rely on – you see the passion and caring at its core. I hope that you will recognize these two USG Stars for their amazing hard work!” Continue reading →

Congratulations to Sara Wells and Melissa Herrera for being nominated by Brigitte Bard for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Sara Wells, Melissa Herrera, Brigitte Bard (left to right)

Description of Nomination: “I would like to nominate Sara Wells and Melissa Herrera for the Proposal Writing 101 event that was held on Saturday, April 27th, from 9am – 3pm. They both did an exemplary job of putting together an event that brought USG Students, faculty, and staff, as well as outside professionals together to teach students, step by step, the useful skill of grant proposal writing. The student teams were challenged with the task of coming up with and agreeing on an idea. Then together the students researched their idea and wrote a proposal for a one-day project that would help the homeless and also serve as a way for students to get involved in a community service learning project. This event culminated in students actually having to simulate getting their proposals in on time in order to be considered for a $1200 grant. The winning team will actually receive the money and be able to execute their project! This was a fabulous and worthwhile experience for all. Perfectly executed.”

Congratulations to Laura Guzman Aguilar, Charles Carter, Marcelo Chavarria, Tom Clifford, Taishan Gary, Lawrence Goldberg, Lary Isenburg, Nick Kozak, Melissa Marquez, Woodrow Mills, Konnye Olaya, Steven Thompson, and Brian Woods for being nominated by Kristen Koehler for the USG Employee Recognition Spotlight Award.

Larry Isenburg, Charles Carter, Nick Kozak, Dr. Stewart Edelstein, Woodrow Mills, Kristen Koehler, Laura Guzman Aguilar, Konnye Olaya, and Tom Clifford (bottom left to right)

Continue reading →

Congratulations to Tirza Bartels for being nominated by Mary Gallagher for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Tirza Bartels and Mary Gallagher (left to right)

Congratulations to Parisa Meisami for being nominated by Mary Gallagher for the USG Employee Recognition Peer to Peer Award.

Parisa Meisami and Mary Gallagher (left to right)