College business, alumni, events are in good hands with 2010 Staff Members of Year

Posted April 15, 2010

Congratulations to Sandy Durham and Jodi Mount, the 2010 recipients of the Staff Member of the Year Award at the College of Education. Sandra is a key point person in the college business office, while Jodi is the essential detail fanatic for the college’s many events for alumni and employees and she also heads the alumni affairs program.

Here’s more background about both exceptional employees, with excerpts from their nomination packets . . .

Sandy Durham
Office Assistant, Business Office

Sandy is an indispensable employee in the business office because she goes above and beyond her duties as Office Assistant. She has been a vital resource during the college’s recent faculty search in the early childhood studies program.  She made sure announcements about the search were posted publicly and in a timely manner.  She also has been quick to respond to questions or to seek clarification about search committee procedures and activities.  Faculty and staff she interacts with voice appreciation for Sandy’s willingness to assist beyond normal expectations and to do so with a positive attitude. She is a talented, knowledgeable and devoted professional whose top priority is to make a direct and positive impact on every employee and student with whom she has contact. Her quiet strength is an inspiration and her energy and sense of humor make working with her a joy for co-workers.

Jodi Mount
Coordinator of Events/Alumni Affairs, Development & Alumni Affairs

As the scheduler, planner and perpetual hostess of many special events staged within and by the College of Education, Jodi has one of the most constantly pressure-packed, detailed and deadline-oriented jobs in the college.  Yet she pulls off these sophisticated events seemly without a hitch, and always maintains her cool, quick wit and sharp sense of humor. Occasionally, things do go wrong, but Jodi is so well-prepared that very few guests at her events are aware that the caterer was late, the microphone check failed, the laptop containing the dean’s PowerPoint slide show froze up and a server spilled the last vegetarian entrée before placement at the vegan’s dinner setting. The guests never know about all these behind-the-scene glitches because Jodi has a spur-of-the-moment resolution to virtually any problem that arises. She is everyone’s favorite party hostess, event planner, and involved co-worker at the College of Education.