The Department of Human Resources has announced the latest Employee of the Quarter recipients: Barbara Thomas and Brian Souders.

Barbara Thomas, financial transaction supervisor for Financial Services, is the Nonexempt Employee of the Quarter. Barbara has worked at UMBC for the past 14 years. Her roles include travel coordinator and petty cashier. Barbara was instrumental in implementing the campus e-Travel process and converting the campus travel reimbursement process to PeopleSoft.

Director of Financial Services Jim Citro said, "Barbara has always looked for a better or more efficient way to perform all of her duties throughout the years at UMBC. If you would ask any administrative support staff members on campus, you would be hard pressed to find one Barbara has not gone the extra mile to assist at one time or another."

Assistant Manager, Business Services Linda Miller agreed, "Barbara always goes above and beyond the call of her duties to help the campus community with all travel and petty cash inquiries. Her customer service commitment to the UMBC campus community is exemplary."

Barbara received her award at a presentation ceremony held on January 7.

Brian Souders, the Exempt Employee of the Quarter, was hired as UMBC's first study abroad coordinator and has made outstanding progress in increasing participation in the program over the past four years. He is the Exempt Employee of the Quarter.

Director or International Education Services Arlene Wergin said, "I have received many positive comments from parents and students alike about the degree of help and professional insight which Brian has provided. He counsels students about going abroad and sometimes spends time comforting anxious parents and providing them with information and guidance. Brian keeps up with all Department of State advisories and is in constant communication with our students who are currently abroad.

"Brian also demonstrates outstanding effort outside of his work environment: he runs marathons to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he is a Ph.D. student in UMBC's Language Literacy and Culture program and he has traveled extensively and speaks nine languages. He was elected to UMBC's Professional Staff Senate. Brian is a great asset to UMBC and contributes greatly to its mission as an honors university.?

Brian received his award on February 2.

Employee of the Quarter recipients receive a check for $500, a personalized parking space, one day of administrative leave, a certificate, his/her name on the Employee of the Quarter plaque and an invitation to the annual luncheon for all the recipients.

Human Resources offers special thanks to everyone that nominated an employee for the award. Previous nominations received will be eligible for consideration for one year from the date received. The next Employee of the Quarter recipients will be selected in March.

Learn how to nominate an employee that you feel is deserving of this award for the next quarter.

-Kim Harris