The Employee Volunteer Program was created to allow 黑料不打烊 staff to receive paid leave to volunteer with community organizations, a benefit now formalized through Human Resources. Today, full-time staff working 30 or more hours per week can take up to 16 hours of paid leave annually to support causes that positively impact the quality of life within communities. Beyond the policy itself, the program reflects something deeper.

鈥淎llowing 黑料不打烊 employees to have paid volunteer leave is symbolic of 黑料不打烊’s commitment to supporting local communities,鈥� said Bob Frigo, director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and assistant dean of campus life.

He emphasizes that engagement is not just a student responsibility, but 鈥渋t is important for staff and faculty to model the way in terms of being active citizens in our communities.鈥�

For many employees, these hours open doors to experiences that might otherwise be difficult to access during a busy workweek. Kelly Harer, associate director of sustainability for education and outreach, used her volunteer time to work the polls during a local primary election.

鈥淰olunteering is something I鈥檝e been doing my entire life, and I鈥檓 so thankful that 黑料不打烊 gives us the opportunity to volunteer during work hours,鈥� she said. Her role involved guiding voters through the process, but the experience became more personal than procedural.

鈥淚 volunteered in my own voting precinct; it was lovely to chat with folks that live near me that I might not otherwise get to know,” said Harer.

Nicole Bergen, program assistant for the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, also participated in an experience that highlights the variety and flexibility the program offers. From reading with first graders to participating in Haw River cleanups, she has used her hours to connect with the Alamance County community in multiple ways.

鈥淚 am always amazed at what a group of working volunteers can accomplish in such a short time,鈥� she reflected. Whether collecting bags of trash or seeing 鈥渁 student partner smiling at you the second you appear in the doorway,鈥� Bergen has found both purpose and connection.

For Bergen, who does not live in the county, the program has been especially meaningful.

鈥淚t has felt like a lovely adventure to discover the area outside work,鈥� she said, adding that it has reshaped her understanding of her role in the community.

Acorn Academy was awarded a five-star rating by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education following a comprehensive evaluation of the program. The on-site child care and early learning facility opened in August 2025 and has expanded to offer a summer camp, classrooms for pre-schoolers and backup care.

The rating affirms the care, intention and dedication that define Acorn Academy. 鈥淓arning a five-star rating required consistent commitment from our entire team, ongoing professional development, strong classroom practices, thoughtful curriculum implementation and a shared belief in doing what鈥檚 best for children,鈥� said Cherelle Sharpe, head of school for the child care facility.

Jason Husser, professor of political science and public policy and director of the 黑料不打烊 Poll, said, “黑料不打烊 cares about people being able to work while not worrying about whether their child is safe and growing and learning.”

Sharpe said that, for families, the rating provides reassurance that their children are in a program that prioritizes safety, growth and meaningful relationships every day. Children are learning and growing in a nurturing, high-quality environment designed to support their development.

鈥淐hildren deserve the highest quality care during their most critical developmental years,鈥� said Sharpe. The new child care benefit for employees offers excellence in early childhood education that supports children鈥檚 growth and the families鈥� peace of mind.

鈥淲hen parents know their children are safe, valued and thriving, they are better able to focus on their work and responsibilities with confidence,鈥� added Sharpe.

Ty Goss, program assistant for Arts and Music, says that having an onsite child care facility eases the burdens of drop-off and pickup times to the work commute. “Just knowing that [my daughter is] right across campus… I can focus on my work knowing that she is safe.”

Acorn Academy offers both year-round child care and early learning for ages six week to five years and summer camp for ages five through 12 during 黑料不打烊’s Planning Week. Visit the to learn more and enroll.

Currently, many teams manage leave in various ways. Some teams use spreadsheets, some use email and all processes include retroactive entry in OnTrack. This updated approach encourages planning when possible, which will create shared expectations between employees and supervisors, and improve how we communicate about time off across departments.

While time away cannot always be planned, this new tool makes it easier for employees to be proactive and collaborative with their leave planning and reporting. The goal is to reduce ambiguity, strengthen coordination and build confidence in how time off is submitted, reviewed and tracked.

Employees and supervisors will use OnTrack to request and approve time away. Requests will be submitted and tracked in a single, consistent system, helping ensure that time away is visible, timely and clearly understood by everyone involved.

This process is designed to support:

• Thoughtful planning between employees and supervisors
• A shared understanding of time-off timelines
• Coordinated scheduling that supports team operations
• Confidence in how time away is managed across the university

Time off matters 鈥� for each of us, for our teams, and for the way we work together.聽By using a consistent, transparent system to plan time away, teams can communicate more easily, and employees can feel confident and supported whenever they need to take time off.

Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer

Training and support

黑料不打烊 is committed to ensuring staff are supported throughout this transition. Leading up to the January and February launches, Human Resources is offering multiple training options to help employees and supervisors engage with the new process and feel informed and prepared. Staff can explore:

Step-by-step training guides – Currently available in document form and coming soon to a centralized page on the HR website. Direct links will be shared in upcoming campus emails.

Video walkthroughs of the process in action

• Bi-Weekly-Paid Staff Video Walkthrough is coming soon

Live training + Q&A sessions

• Supervisors
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 10:00 a.m. – Register + Add to Calendar
  • Monday, Dec. 15 at 2:00 p.m. – Register + Add to Calendar
• Monthly-Paid Staff
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 2:00 p.m. – Register + Add to Calendar
  • Monday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. – Register + Add to Calendar
• Bi-Weekly-Paid Employees: Sessions coming in January

“We understand that adjusting to something new takes time,聽鈥� said Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer. 鈥淥ur focus is on making this feel manageable and supportive, whether that means walking through it together in training, or giving you tools you can use on your own terms.”

Missed the preview sessions?

Employees can still watch the Nov. 12 sessions and submit their thoughts:

Feedback from pilot and preview participants has already shaped training materials, and every additional voice helps strengthen the experience.

Questions

For questions at any time, contact hr@elon.edu or visit the .

A new benefits platform will make it easier than ever for 黑料不打烊 employees to select a range of insurance plans, retirement plans and optional benefits during the fall open enrollment season.

黑料不打烊 Benefits Hub offers employees more intuitive tools, instructions and secure access to benefits information. The tool was tested this summer during a pilot phase for new employees and for employees with life status changes.

鈥淎s an HR office and as a university as a whole, the time was right to modernize our benefits enrollment process and identify a tool that could make the selection and enrollment process simpler and more cohesive,鈥� said Cory Potter, director of HR information systems and data analytics.

One tool offered by the new platform that modernizes and eases open enrollment is an optional integration with AI. Employees can input information like prescriptions, diagnoses and other helpful information about themselves and their family. The platform then offers suggestions for available benefits that suit the specific employee needs and provides a menu of options for easy comparison.

黑料不打烊 Benefits Hub also makes it easier for employees to visualize their holistic benefits package through a series of acknowledgement windows. As someone makes selections, all benefits, including those that 黑料不打烊 fully funds, must be acknowledged, and descriptions and information are available throughout the process.

What to know about Open Enrollment

The open enrollment period for employees to sign up for their 2026 employee benefits runs Oct. 20-31. Eligible employees will be required this fall to actively enroll or waive coverage for the new plan year. Please note, with the introduction of 黑料不打烊 Benefits Hub, current elections will not automatically carry over. Employees are encouraged to review upcoming email updates from the Office of Human Resources and The Acorn Corner to learn more about their benefits and ways to enroll.

Training and support

2026 Benefits information

Human Resources staff members and vendors will be available in-person during Open Enrollment to answer benefits questions. Employees can call 1-877-382-9808 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Friday during Open Enrollment or attend one of the following sessions:

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. 鈥� 3 p.m. Benefits Q & A, Oaks Building 212
• Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7 a.m. 鈥� 10聽 p.m. Dickson Building
• Thursday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m. Moseley 202
• Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m. 鈥� 12 p.m. 黑料不打烊 School of Law, Greensboro
• Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. 鈥� 12 p.m. Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness Clinic 301 South O鈥橩elly Ave.
• Thursday, Oct. 30, 7 a.m. 鈥� 10 a.m. Dickson Building
• Thursday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m. Moseley 202

黑料不打烊 Benefits Hub

As part of the continued progress toward using the鈥诹喜淮蜢� Benefits Hub, the Office of Human Resources will be conducting training sessions to ensure benefits-eligible employees are well-prepared.

In-person sessions

• Thursday, Oct. 9, from 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Lakeside 214 Register
• Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4 – 5 p.m.,鈥疧aks 212 Register
• Friday, Oct. 10, from 1 – 2 p.m., Oaks 212 搁别驳颈蝉迟别谤听
• Tuesday,鈥�疧ct. 14, from 11:00 a.m. – noon, Lakeside 214 Register
• Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 3 – 4 p.m., Oaks 212 Register
• Thursday, 鈥疧ct. 16, from 10 – 11 a.m., Lakeside 214 Register

Please note that a training session for Facilities Management and Campus Safety & Police will be offered early on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 7-8 a.m.

Virtual sessions

• Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 1 – 2 p.m., Virtual (Zoom Meeting) 搁别驳颈蝉迟别谤听
• Friday, Oct. 10, from 10 – 11 a.m., Virtual (Zoom Meeting) Register
• Monday, Oct. 13, from 8:30 – 9:30 am, Virtual (Zoom Meeting) Register
• Thursday, Oct. 16, from 4 – 5 p.m., Virtual (Zoom Meeting) 搁别驳颈蝉迟别谤听

Benefits that reflect values and a culture of care

黑料不打烊 offers a range of benefits and wellness resources to help employees advance a mission of preparing graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

From competitive health insurance, leave policies, and retirement plans to holistic programs that support emotional, physical, and financial well-being, benefits at 黑料不打烊 aren鈥檛 just a perk, they鈥檙e a promise to help you and your family thrive in all stages of life.

Learn more about benefits at 黑料不打烊.聽

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The fall 2025 semester is in full swing at 黑料不打烊 with events across campus, including celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month and Family Weekend.

View some of the most impactful moments of the past month through the eyes of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Marking history

黑料不打烊 unveiled a new historical marker Under the Oaks, next to Schar Hall, as聽a symbol of the continued connection and relationship between 黑料不打烊 and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation Tribe.

Getting organized

Students came together on Sept. 17, 2025 for the Fall Organization Fair, a time for the 黑料不打烊 community to showcase different clubs and organizations across campus.

A Common Reading conversation

Award-winning author Alejandra Campoverdi turned the 2025-26 Common Reading Lecture into a conversation, taking questions from 黑料不打烊 students about her life of 鈥渆xtreme contradictions” detailed in her memoir “First-Gen.”

Acorn Academy

Acorn Academy at 黑料不打烊 officially celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting on Sept.18, 2025. The on-site child care and early learning facility opened in August with full enrollment of children from infancy to 2 years old whose parents are members of the 黑料不打烊 community, with plans to expand capacity and age groups in early 2026.

Hispanic Heritage Month

黑料不打烊 kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a festival on Sept. 19, 2025.

Lessons from Ledecky

Fourteen-time Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky delivered the 2025 Fall Convocation address in Schar Center on Sept. 26, 2025. Before the event, Ledecky met with 黑料不打烊 student-athletes to answer their questions about her career and training.

Phoenix Families

黑料不打烊 hosted Family Weekend from Sept. 26-28 with a variety of events including Fall Convocation and聽a home football game聽against Hampton University.

During the ribbon cutting, members of senior leadership at 黑料不打烊, employees of Vivvi (黑料不打烊’s child care partner), and officials from the surrounding community gathered in the lobby of the newly-renovated facility.

Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer for 黑料不打烊, opened the ceremony by addressing the crowd.

鈥淚n order for our faculty and staff who are parents of young children to engage in their work, they need to know that their children are being cared for,鈥� said Clodfelter. 鈥淭his is a daunting task for many, and 黑料不打烊 campus leaders have lessened this load by supporting the development of Acorn Academy.鈥�

Next to speak was 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book who, moments prior, toured the center along with Vivvi Chief Executive Officer Charlie Bonello. Together, they visited the two-year-old classroom to observe learning in action.

鈥淚’m thinking about human transformation and what’s happening inside this building for those very young little acorns that are in the rooms right behind us,鈥� said Book. 鈥淚’m grateful for what this signals for our community of workers here,鈥� she added.

Book expressed her desire for 黑料不打烊 to be the employer of choice and to create an environment where the families of employees thrive.

鈥淲e’re really grateful to our partnership with Vivvi, who carries this same philosophy and who has also inspired me,鈥� said Book.

In his address, Bonello reflected that parents get brief windows into their children鈥檚 daily lives 鈥撀燽efore and after drop-off and pick-up.

鈥淗ere at Acorn Academy, children are sharing their lives within the same community where their parents teach, study and work,” said Bonello. “That integration is uniquely and powerfully 黑料不打烊, and it鈥檚 something these families and children will carry with them forever.”

“Education is the ladder to a better life,鈥� said Cherelle Sharpe, the head of school for Acorn Academy who was instrumental in the curriculum design and regulatory process ahead of school open. “We have the privilege of planting those seeds early, inspiring young minds and encouraging children to become curious and confident lifelong learners.”

Then, to officially celebrate the opening, Book, Bonello, Sharpe and Janet Williams, vice president for Finance and Administration and chief financial officer, joined together for a ribbon cutting.

The ribbon cutting capped a busy back-to-school season for Acorn Academy which enrolled 27 children and their parents.

Parents at 黑料不打烊 Reflect on Child Care Benefit

鈥淗aving on-campus child care gives me tremendous peace of mind,鈥� said Ty Goss, program assistant for the Departments of Art and Music in the College of Arts & Sciences. 鈥淚 know my daughter is close by, which makes mornings much less stressful since I can conveniently drop her off on the other side of campus before heading into work.鈥�

Goss adds that the affordability of Acorn Academy as an 黑料不打烊 employee alleviates the financial burden that comes with child care shortages in the area. She also says the instruction and care at the facility are excellent and reflect 黑料不打烊鈥檚 support of working families.

鈥淗aving our child attend school on campus with other 黑料不打烊 faculty and staff children is a wonderful benefit for both us and him,鈥� said Mustafa Akben, assistant professor of management and director of artificial intelligence integration. 鈥淗e鈥檚 making friends and building his own 黑料不打烊 community, and we enjoy simple family moments like stopping by the Thursday farmer鈥檚 market after school.鈥�

Akben describes child care as one of the most meaningful benefits an employer can provide and a way to support families. He also shared praise for the Acorn Academy staff keeping him updated throughout the day.

鈥淎corn Academy provides more than just child care鈥攊t offers an immersive early learning environment where children are actively engaged and supported,鈥� said Smaraki Mohanty, assistant professor of marketing and Doherty Emerging Professor of Entrepreneurship.

She added that having child care as an employee benefit significantly enhances her ability to be fully present and productive in her work at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淚t provides peace of mind knowing that my child is in a safe, nurturing environment, which allows me to focus on teaching, research and service without the constant concern of managing care logistics,鈥� said Mohanty.

She also shared praise for the attention each Acorn Academy staff member affords to each child to create a nurturing space that promotes both emotional and cognitive development.

鈥淗aving quality child care so close to where I work and live makes my experience as a working parent more realistic and sustainable,鈥� said Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director for the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. 鈥淚 am so thankful that 黑料不打烊 has chosen to make this investment in the well-being of our families.鈥�

Patterson expressed gratitude for Acorn Academy making it easy for parents and teachers to collaborate and she said the teachers have been kind, thoughtful and communicative.

What鈥檚 Next

In early 2026, Acorn Academy will open preschool classrooms to welcome children ages 3-5.

黑料不打烊 employees and students who are parents can learn more about Acorn Academy by visiting their .

The new Title IX training sessions will expand the capabilities of education offered through the Title IX office.

鈥淚n the past, Title IX training sessions focused only on those who were required to report incidents of sexual harassment. We want to聽go beyond compliance, and the new workshops聽aim to do just that,鈥� said Megan Karbley, director of compliance and Title IX coordinator. 鈥淭he goal for these workshops is connection, not compliance. I hope the community feels a deeper sense of connection not only to campus resources, but each other, as we cultivate opportunities to talk to each other about how to hold both support and accountability at the same time.鈥�

Two of the new workshops, “Beyond the Rumors” and “Creating Supportive Spaces”, draw inspiration from restorative practices, and will emphasize reflection and community responsibility. In these workshops, the Title IX office will bring participants together in a circle and answer a series of reflection prompts. This format is designed not only to inform, but also create space for meaningful conversations about healing and support.

Each workshop explores a different aspect of community response to sexual harm. “Creating Supportive Spaces: Working with Students Affected by Sexual Violence” is designed for those who want to deepen their ability to support students impacted by sexual violence 鈥� whether survivors or those accused. Through guided discussion in a small-group setting, attendees will explore their roles in facilitating supportive measures, managing complex situations, and creating environments rooted in care and accountability.

“Beyond the Rumors: When Someone You Know is Accused of Harm” will provide an opportunity for small groups to explore how to respond when someone in the community is accused of causing harm. Participants will consider what it means to navigate these situations with care, accountability, and compassion, and learn about support options available.

The third new offering takes a more structured and informational approach. “Referral to Resolution: A Step-By-Step Guide Through the Title IX Process” will offer details on how Title IX cases progress, from the initial referral through the resolution, highlighting key roles, procedures, and timelines along the way.

The Title IX Office will also continue to offer the “Title IX Foundations” workshop that introduces the key principles of Title IX. This session offers a clear understanding of rights, responsibilities, and available support through Title IX.

All four workshops can be tailored for faculty, staff and student audiences. There are several workshops scheduled throughout the year for anyone interested in participating. Workshops can also be scheduled for groups upon request. Visit the Title IX website to access the workshop schedule or submit a workshop request.

Most recently, she served as the Senior Leadership Development Program Manager at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she facilitated professional development sessions for over 3,000 UNC supervisors and leaders. In this role, she also developed enterprise-wide leadership programs, delivered coaching and training rooted in adult learning theory and fostered collaborative partnerships across higher education.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome Rochelle to 黑料不打烊 and look forward to her leadership in advancing opportunities for staff and faculty growth across campus,鈥� said Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer.

OLPD is entering a critical leap forward that Stojnic is uniquely qualified for. As part of the Boldly 黑料不打烊 plan, the office will be designing frameworks and learning pathways for 黑料不打烊 employees as part of the next phase of Navigate Your Career.

鈥淯niversities are ecosystems rooted in discovery and growth,鈥� said Stojnic. 鈥淚nvesting in professional development not only builds the capacity and capabilities of the institution but also affirms its purpose as a learning organization.鈥�

Clodfelter added, 鈥淩ochelle has done phenomenal work in her career to advance learning opportunities for employees, and we are excited for her to leverage her experience and skills as we usher in the next phase of Navigate Your Career and other initiatives.鈥�

As Stojnic weighed this next chapter of her career, she said she was struck by 黑料不打烊’s intentionality, clear goals and strategy and the investment employees and students make towards the culture.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the kind of environment where people are encouraged to be ambitious and curious, but to also enjoy the work along the way,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 look forward to finding opportunities to help faculty and staff in any role feel ready to lead and to grow in ways that feel both practical and meaningful.鈥�

The search committee for this role included:

• Dhvani Toprani (Chair), assistant director of learning and design support
• Chris Leupold, professor of psychology
• Jonathan McElderry, dean of student inclusive excellence
• Jennifer Platania, associate provost for academic affairs
• Jackie Riffle, academic affairs chief of staff
• Mary DeFriest, assistant athletics director of marketing and fan engagement
• TJ Bowie, director of employee relations and culture

Chris Leupold has served as the interim director for OLPD during the committee search, and Shannon Stucker, training and development assistant, has played a monumental role in continuing OLPD programming during this process.

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• 黑料不打烊 faculty and staff recognized for excellence at 2025 awards luncheon

黑料不打烊 celebrated the dedication, innovation and service of its staff during 2025 Staff Appreciation Day on Friday, May 30, honoring individuals and teams whose work exemplifies the university鈥檚 mission and values.

鈥淲hether you directly support our students, contribute to our academic mission, care for our beautiful campus or ensure that our numerous services run smoothly, your exceptional efforts create an extraordinary environment for learning growth and success at 黑料不打烊,” said Chief Human Resource Office Melissa Clodfelter during her opening remarks Friday.

Clodfelter joined 黑料不打烊 in spring 2025 as Chief Human Resources Officer. She thanked the attendees for a warm welcome to the university in her first months and set the tone for the ceremony.

鈥淭his is a day to celebrate the whole, to recognize that it takes all of us, the ones who open the doors in the mornings, who prepare meals and classrooms, who teach and tend, who organize and uplift, who listen, who build, who clean, who care,” said Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, during the event’s invocation.

Phoenix Awards

Four Phoenix Awards are presented each year to recognize outstanding innovation, collaboration and dedication to the university鈥檚 mission.

Phoenix Innovation Award

Lasse Palomaki was named the 2025 Phoenix Innovation Award winner. The award is presented to a member of the 黑料不打烊 staff who has displayed innovation by creating, designing, improving and implementing a new idea or a program that benefits the university or the community.

As associate director of career services for alumni, Palomaki has redefined professional development at 黑料不打烊. From launching the Career Search Foundations course to leading the 黑料不打烊 in LA Bridges program, Palomaki鈥檚 work has expanded opportunities for alumni and aligned career services with the university鈥檚 strategic goals.

鈥淚n close collaboration with his supervisor and key campus partners, he has shaped the direction of alumni career services,鈥� one nominator wrote.

Phoenix Rising Award

Gia Pineda was named the 2025 Phoenix Rising Award winner. The award is presented to one newer member of 黑料不打烊’s staff who has consistently displayed excellence in pursuit of 黑料不打烊’s mission with an engaged mind in inspired leadership and global citizenship.

As director of short-term programs in the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, Pineda manages nearly 50 programs with clarity, compassion and creativity. From helping students secure funding to ensuring accessibility for students with disabilities, Pineda鈥檚 dedication is unwavering.

One nominator recalled her steady presence during a program disrupted by the Los Angeles fires: 鈥淪he helped us navigate urgent and difficult decisions regarding student safety and program continuity, always centering the health, well-being and dignity of our students.鈥�

Phoenix Collaboration Award

The Phoenix Collaboration award was presented to Nature RX, led by Kelly Harer, associate director of sustainability for education and outreach, and Tumi Shadreck, counselor/outreach coordinator. The team includes staff from Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability. The award is presented to an 黑料不打烊 staff team or group that has fostered cooperation, collaboration and open communication across two or more departments/offices/centers on campus.

Since 2019, Nature RX has coordinated programming that promotes mental and physical well-being through outdoor experiences. During this time, more than 750 people have participated in programming, such as mental health heights, staff training, classroom presentations, event series, the signature stargazing of mental health events, and other partnerships with student organizations, residential neighborhoods and academic departments.

The group will make mental health benefits even more accessible with a new app funded by an 黑料不打烊 Innovation Grant, which will launch in 2026 and connect students, faculty and staff with green spaces and across campus more effectively.

鈥淭he collaborative nature of this project is what has enabled it to be effective,鈥� one nominator wrote. 鈥淣ature Rx could not succeed if it was an individual staff member or department project.鈥�

Blanche Garrison Memorial Award

The 2025 Blanche Garrison Memorial Award was presented to Susan Tripp, horticulturalist for 黑料不打烊. The award was established in memory of the late Blanche Garrison, an 黑料不打烊 Medallion awardee, who served the university with distinction as a staff member at Maynard House. This award was created through the generosity of President Emeritus Leo Lambert and Laurie Lambert and recognizes a staff member who has contributed significantly to shaping the student experience at 黑料不打烊 through their everyday commitments and actions to support, encourage, and mentor 黑料不打烊 students.

Tripp was recognized for her engagement with students in the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and the Phoenix Free Collegiate Recovery Program, meeting students for lunch and class projects, and for generally being a welcoming and friendly presence on campus.

鈥淔or young people that are discovering who they are and maybe who don鈥檛 always feel they have majority views 鈥� I just think it’s important to slow down and pay attention. And it’s what I do,” said Tripp after receiving the award.

Staff Member of the Year Awards

Three Staff Member of the Year Awards are presented annually to university non-teaching staff 鈥� one for each of the following categories: facilities management, professional hourly staff and administrative staff. 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book, announced the award winners.

Staff Member of the Year 鈥� Professional Hourly

Elizabeth Bowen was honored as the professional hourly staff member of the year. She serves as the executive assistant to the vice president for enrollment and assistant vice president and dean of undergraduate admissions.

Described as the glue that holds her team together, Bowen brings foresight, flexibility and a spirit of service to every aspect of her work. In her role, Bowen manages a wide range of responsibilities鈥攆rom coordinating travel and overseeing safety plans to operating technology during meetings and to fielding questions from prospective students. One nominator even said that without her, counselors wouldn’t have enough publications for travel, cars wouldn’t be properly checked out, office supplies would run out and the admissions email account would be bogged down with thousands of emails.

Bowen addressed the audience after receiving the nomination to express gratitude for the award recognizing 鈥渢he little things that we do.鈥�

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is kind of like a ship聽鈥撀爓e are familiar with the captain and the wheel, but it鈥檚 what all the people in this room are, the little nuts and bolts, that you don鈥檛 see鈥ithout those, she ship would fall apart,” she said.

She ended the speech by saying, 鈥渇rom one nut to all the others, thank you!鈥�

Staff Member of the Year 鈥� Administrative

Doug McIntyre was awarded the administrative staff member of the year. He serves as the ERP application architect.

Working at 黑料不打烊 for over 30 years, McIntyre was recognized for his historical institutional knowledge and profound understanding of university operations.

With more than three decades of service to 黑料不打烊, McIntyre has become a cornerstone of the university鈥檚 technological infrastructure. His role extends far beyond his title. Colleagues describe him as a historian, mentor, data integrator, system expert and developer鈥攕omeone whose deep institutional knowledge and collaborative spirit have shaped the university鈥檚 operations in profound ways.

Known for thriving under pressure and never settling for 鈥済ood enough,鈥� McIntyre approaches his work with a calm, thoughtful energy. He is often the first to respond to urgent system issues鈥攕ometimes before the rest of campus has even started the day.

“His sense of responsibility and care for the university鈥檚 operations never turns off,” one nominator noted.

Claudia Sparks, associate director of enterprise solutions, accepted the award on McIntyre鈥檚 behalf. She added a brief praise of her colleague, mentioning that he is dedicated, always figuring things out and generally a good person to work with.

Staff Member of the Year 鈥� Facilities Management

Dee Fuller won the 2025 Facilities Management Staff Member of the Year award. She serves as a custodian for 黑料不打烊 and is responsible for the care of Alamance Building.

Fuller was recognized for being accommodating for people in the building and for creating a welcoming atmosphere that uplifts students, faculty and staff who interact with her. She was praised for routinely going above and beyond the scope of her job description and ensuring every detail is attended to with the utmost care and precision.

鈥淚 was not expecting this, but I am truly honored, and I thank everyone who who’s involved in this , and I’m just grateful and thankful,” said Fuller after receiving the award.

Gratitude Expressed Towards the Service of 黑料不打烊 Retirees

Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president for academic affairs, honored staff members who are retiring this year:

• Ann Flaherty, director of leadership & development
• Betty Garrison, business research librarian
• Marietta Herbin, custodian
• Annie Hester, program assistant for The Oaks
• Rene Sellers, student account specialist
• Cindy Sweeney, senior associate director of career services for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business
• Rex Terrell, carpenter
• Karen Walter, senior associate director of financial aid and liaison to athletics

黑料不打烊 has been named a Family Forward NC庐 Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation鈥檚 Family Forward NC庐 initiative.

A Family Forward NC 庐 Employer Certification designates employers that offer policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children. The certification looks at employer benefits like paid leave and wages, accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers, child care supports, health and wellness benefits, and scheduling practices.

鈥淎t 黑料不打烊, our commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive community is at the heart of our mission,鈥� says Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer.

Achieving Family Forward NC certification underscores our dedication to the well-being of our faculty and staff members, aligning seamlessly with the ‘Thrive’ theme of our Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan.

Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer

To date, Family Forward NC庐 has engaged with more than 10,000 employers across North Carolina. The initiative was launched in 2018 to improve children鈥檚 health and well-being and keep North Carolina鈥檚 businesses competitive.

Family Forward NC庐 defines best-practice policies through:

• The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation鈥檚 ;
• Guidance from medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists;
• Guidance from partners in early childhood organizations, including the Child Care Services Association, MomsRising, the North Carolina Breastfeeding Association, and others.

黑料不打烊 is committed to adopting family-friendly policies that not only support its employees in achieving a healthy work-life balance but also enhance their ability to attract and retain top talent.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families,鈥� said Melissa Clodfelter, associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer.

Of note, 黑料不打烊 is in summer 2025; offering lactation spaces on campus, and has adopted family-focused benefits options like birth and adoption leave and family medical leave.

鈥淎 strong commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment is reflected in the thoughtful policies and resources provided,” continued Clodfelter.

Family-friendly workplaces aren鈥檛 just good for employees; . Employers that adopt these policies attract and retain top talent, reduce health care costs, create healthier work environments and experience fewer absences. Happier, healthier employees are also more productive and committed to their work.

For families, the impacts are even more profound. Parents with access to family-friendly benefits experience better health outcomes, greater financial stability, and improved well-being. Children gain the time, support, and care they need during their most critical years of brain development, laying the foundation for future success in school and beyond.

鈥淭his commitment to our people strengthens the vibrant, inclusive environment that defines 黑料不打烊, ensuring that every member of our community feels valued and supported,鈥� Williams added.