Four Rhodes employees recently received the college’s 2016 Outstanding Staff Awards based on nominations submitted by faculty, staff, and students.
Outstanding Administrative Services Staff Award
This year’s Outstanding Administrative Services Staff award winner is Keith Jones, an electrician in the physical plant department. Nominators wrote: He looks for opportunities to serve others across the campus community in his daily work, and he demonstrates a collaborative work ethic. He is always willing to help and usually is the first to respond to a radio call when assistance is required. Keith works to eliminate downtime, increase productivity, and solve problems across campus. The college campus and college community are so much better because of his work.”
Outstanding Administrative Staff Award
April Allen, an administrative assistant II in the academic affairs office, received the Outstanding Administrative Staff award. Her colleagues describe her as “creative, efficient, reliable, and always willing to go the extra mile.” Nominators shared: “In just the past two years, she has helped accomplish several big academic system changes—digitizing faculty records, reorganizing and tracking new data, and converting the faculty evaluation system to a digital platform. She approaches all of her work professionally, proactively, and thoughtfully.”
Outstanding Administrator Awards
Outstanding Administrator awards were presented to Margaret Plunket, wellness and work life services manager in the human resources office, and Melissa Butler, director of student disability services.
Nominators wrote that Plunket goes above and beyond what is asked of her, and she is always ready with a bright smile and a quick, “How may I help you today?” She joined the HR team in 2004 and has worked diligently to create and manage a strong wellness program for Rhodes employees from the annual health fair to the monthly lunch and learn gatherings to the very popular Rhodes Weight Watchers group. Members of the HR staff have said at one time or another, “She is the glue that keeps us together.”
Known as a steady, calming presence on campus, Butler is a pillar of support for Rhodes students. Nominators wrote: “Her thoughts, questions, and advice are delivered with a genuineness that’s unquestioned. Competent, confident, and caring, Melissa always does what she says she will do, and she’s so conscientious about every project and every interaction with our students and families. At every graduation, grateful parents share their heartfelt thanks for her guidance and support.”