Tania Alvarez, of Advising and Transfer Programs, is the June Employee of the Month

June 18, 2015

Tania Alvarez and President John R. Broderick

Tania Alvarez is Old Dominion University's June Employee of the Month. She first joined the Transfer Advising and Articulation team in the fall of 2014 and is now the Coordinator of Transfer Advising & Articulations. Alvarez is described as productive, detail-focused, inspiring, efficient and contributing member of the team.

Supervisor, Daniela Cigularova, stated in a nomination letter: "Tania is persistently seeking solutions to challenging situations. She advocates on behalf of the students with various offices on main campus and the VCCS. One of her strengths is that she pays attention to the specific needs of each student and follows-up accordingly. One moment I see Tania working with a prospective student exploring majors at ODU; the next moment she is working with a newly admitted student evaluating his credits, and then updating agreements and planning programs for student success. I observe daily how students entering her office confused and stressed, leave thankful and relaxed. She fosters a climate of care and concern for each student."

Cigularova said the impact Alvarez has made on the ODU community can be observed simply by walking around campus and noticing how many students greet her with a smile and know her by name.

"She inspires me with her positive motivation and commitment to each student she serves," Cigularova said. "Tania always goes the extra mile in her interactions with others and in her professional role."

Alvarez's colleagues are equally impressed. Morgan Morrison, a success advisor, noted that she is "a joy to work with."

"She is dependable and reliable. Even with 100 plates spinning, she always puts her best effort into everything she takes on and keeps the student's interest in mind with every decision. And when things take a stressful or negative turn, Tania has a remarkable ability to find and remind us of the positive side of any situation. We are very lucky to have her on our team!"

DETAILS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCESS

The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate their outstanding, "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and/or demeanor exemplify excellence, quality service and commitment to ODU. Classified and AP faculty employees receive a framed certificate from the president, $175 and one day of leave. Hourly winners get $250, since they are not eligible to receive recognition leave.

Note: The selection committee needs specific examples that relate to each applicable criterion in order to select a nominee for the award. Nominations remain active for six months from date of submission and nominators may submit additional documentation to support a nominee during the active six months.

The criteria used to nominate an employee include the following:

• An outstanding accomplishment that benefited the department/students.
• Extraordinary service to internal and/or external customers.
• Inspiring initiative/leadership.
• Enthusiasm/energy given to assigned work.
• Teamwork.
• Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility.
• Creative innovations to service, process or work tools.

For more information contact Tony Belk at jbelk@odu.edu or 683-3046, or visit ODU's Employee of the Month website.