The College of Southern Maryland recognized 22 employees who have made
significant contributions to the college’s success during the past six
months at a reception May 5 at the La Plata Campus. Employees were
recognized for their actions and accomplishments in response to the
college’s seven principles of diversity, excellence, innovation,
integrity, knowledge, respect and teamwork.
The college’s Employee Recognition and Awards Program gives staff and
faculty the opportunity to recognize their co-workers’ excellence in
the following categories: Extra Mile, Innovator, College/Community
Service, Leadership and Professional Goal Attainment. The awards are
open to individuals, groups and teams.
The Extra Mile Award recognizes employees who have made significant
contributions over an extended period of time. An award was presented to
Engineering Professor Dr. Neal Wilsey for his extraordinary effort in
gaining Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) approval of two new
associate of science in engineering (ASE) degree programs. The ASE was
developed as the first fully statewide engineering transfer agreement in
the country. Its purpose is to allow ASE graduates to transfer a block
of courses to a program in the same field, eliminating the need for a
course-by-course transfer process. Wilsey worked with faculty members
from higher education institutions across the state in developing ASE
degrees in electrical engineering and computer engineering.
“Not only will prospective engineering students benefit from the work
of Dr. Wilsey, but the ease of transferring to pursue a bachelor’s
degree will encourage and prepare citizens to work in the highly
demanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields,”
said CSM Mathematics, Physics and Engineering Chair Andrea Ronaldi.
The Innovator Award recognizes efficiencies that save the college
substantial money or work, improve student educational experiences or
lead the college in a new direction. A team award was given to Software
Development Team Associate Director Gene Kirscht, Programmer Analyst
Lesa Bowden, Applications Development Team Assistant Director Mark
Pielmeier, Continuing Education Program Developer Joyce Embrey, Personal
Enrichment Program Coordinator/Youth Shaunda Holt, Personal Enrichment
Program Coordinator/Youth John Terlesky, Lead Director/Registrar Carol
Harrison, Personal Enrichment Program Administrative Assistant/Youth
Theresa Beckett and Bursar Dana Venneri for their roles in the
development of an online registration process for Kids’ and Teen
College.
Following a mailing of more than 3,000 announcements on the new
process, 50 percent of all new registrations were made online and
enrollment increased by 23 percent over the same period in 2010. “The
college has received all positive feedback from the Kids’ College
customers,” said Enrollment Management Associate Vice President Joan
Middleton.
The College/Community Service Award recognizes employees who have
provided quality service and have done an excellent job to ensure
satisfaction to the community. An award was presented to Professor Jim
Cleary for his contributions to the Adjunct Faculty Academy and the
Adjunct Faculty Development Committee. Cleary has served as an informal
resource for new faculty members regarding utilization of technology and
course pedagogy.
“Jim regularly interacts with the high school students in the
community as a volunteer softball coach at McDonough High School,”
said Ronaldi. “While serving as a men
