Human Resources has announced the Employees of the Quarter, effective January 1-March 31, 2008: Arthur Brown, administrative assistant II for International Education Services (Non-exempt), and Margarita “Magui” Cardona, senior grants and contracts manager for the Office of Sponsored Programs (Exempt).
Each recipient will 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 Service Award Ceremony for all the recipients. Learn how to nominate an employee that you feel is deserving of this award for the next quarter.
Brown, administrative assistant II for International Education Services, began his career at UMBC in 1998 working as an administrative assistant for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He transferred to his current department in 2005.
Director of International Education Services Arlene Wergin said, “Arthur is the first person to greet our international students and faculty as they visit our office. In each case, he does so in a warm and friendly manner, making each person feel welcome and attended to. He goes out of his way to make sure that students have all their questions answered. Arthur has a very friendly and approachable demeanor and this reassures our visitors, many of whom are newly arrived in the country and uncertain in their interactions or shy about speaking in English.
“At a time when our international population feels somewhat daunted by the many Department of Homeland procedures they must endure, it is essential that the staff in our office goes out of their way to reassure our international students and scholars that we are happy to have them on our campus,” added Wergin. “Arthur is an excellent ambassador of UMBC and gives our international population a positive and welcoming first impression.”
Brown is currently taking courses at UMBC and plans to pursue a B.A. in History.
Provost Arthur Johnson presented Brown with his award on January 17. Staff from International Education Services, the Graduate School and Human Resources attended the celebration.
Cardona has been employed at UMBC for the past two years, initially as a grants management specialist.
Jocelyn Bauer, acting director for the Office of Sponsored Programs, said, “Magui has served the entire campus for more than two years in an office that has had nothing but constant transition since her first day. Even though there were many obstacles, Magui has always remained positive and professional by providing the best service to faculty and staff. She has thorough knowledge of the field of research administration and can guide any faculty member through the web of administrative requirements for managing their grants and contracts.
“Magui has become the unofficial expert user for PeopleSoft for the grants module on the pre-award side,” said Bauer. “She is writing user manuals for the whole pre-award side of PeopleSoft. In addition, she was instrumental in the implementation of the ‘electronic routing’ of proposals to the campus. Recently, Magui has written a paper to the HUGS conference to receive free travel to the annual conference. All of these activities are in addition to her daily responsibilities.
Cardona received a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University, in addition to a Certified Research Administrator certificate. She is working on a Ph.D. in Public Policy.
The Office of Sponsored Programs surprised Magui during a staff meeting on January 14. Cardona’s husband, Ruben Delgado, a research associate with JCET, attended and presented Magui with a bouquet of roses.
Read more about the January 2008 recipents at www.umbc.edu/hr/EOQ/awardreceipent.html.
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 April.
