By Kim Harris

David “Dave” Dietsch, safety specialist for the Environmental Health and Safety Department, and Vicki Greisman, IT programmer assistant in the Graduate School, have been named Employees of the Quarter.

Dietsch is the Exempt Employee of the Quarter. He is responsible for many aspects of safety on campus, including reporting injuries related to workers compensation. He began his career at UMBC in 1987 and has worked for the past 18 years in the area of environmental health and safety.

Nancy Gunkel, administrative assistant in the Physical Plant, nominated Dietsch for the award. “Dave is always looking out for others,” said Gunkel. “He provides personal care and attention when someone is injured on campus.” When an injury occurs “he personally visits the area where the person was hurt and identifies the hazard to the Physical Plant.”

Gunkel added that Dietsch is “always looking out for employees’ safety and doesn’t hesitate to point out potential hazards. He personally began a fire prevention and evacuation program on campus. He continues to monitor the time it takes people to evacuate buildings due to the threat of fire or some other life-threatening situation. He has been responsible for creating the asbestos abatement program on campus and educating Physical Plant employees regarding OSHA regulations and safety.”

Dietsch received his award at a presentation on June 27.

Greisman, the non-exempt Employee of the Quarter, began her career at UMBC 16 years ago as a data entry clerk and has advanced over the years to her current position.

She was nominated by the Graduate School’s senior management staff, spearheaded by Betty Douglass, and by several other colleagues, including Cheryl Putro, Dave Hollander and Linda Thomas.

Douglass said, “Vicki’s long tenure and devoted service to the Graduate School and to our clients have made her one of our most valued staff members. She is the primary 'problem solver' in the Office of Graduate Enrollment. If a staff member, faculty, or student has a question or problem, Vicki will know who to call, how to reach them, what requests are appropriate and how to resolve the problem.”

Greisman has received letters of appreciation from several students over the years. Douglass said, “Vicki exhibits a genuine interest in the students who come to the Graduate School for help, addressing their complex needs with patience, kindness and good humor. One of our master’s degree students put this statement in the acknowledgement page of her thesis: ‘Vicki Greisman, who never failed to find a way to make things happen, and always made them turn out well.’ ”

Over the years, Greisman has continued to take courses to learn new and updated skills and to enhance her job knowledge and performance. She is currently working towards three certifications at Howard Community College in Internet and Core Computing, Microsoft Office Specialist and Office Automation Specialist. She frequently volunteers for campus events and committees. In addition, she has a black belt in Taijutsu and is working toward earning a second degree black belt. In her spare time, she shares her skills by teaching children’s Taijutsi classes in her community.

Greisman received her award at a presentation ceremony held on June 29.

Learn how to nominate a colleague for Employee of the Quarter.