The thrill of it all
Cyndi Zimmerman, executive administrative assistant in Student Affairs, recalls the excitement of receiving a 2005 Board of Regents CUSS staff award
Did you know about the annual staff awards?
I knew they existed because I had been involved with TUSC (Towson University Staff Council). I was a committee member first, then vice chairperson and then, finally, the TUSC committee chairperson. I never thought to pursue the award myself, and never dreamed of winning it.
How did you come to be in the running?
Deb Moriarty, vice president for student affairs, nominated me for the 2005 award. She had been here only a short time, so it was a great honor to know that she thought so highly of me.
When did you find out that you had won?
When I returned from vacation at the end of August, I found a sticky note reading “Open this first” from Dr. Moriarty on an envelope from the USM Board of Regents. I was delighted when I learned that I’d won an award.
When and where did you accept the award?
Winners from all over the system were honored at the USM Board of Regents meeting, which was held in September at UMBC. The chancellor spoke, as did members of the Board of Regents. We all had our photos taken as we accepted our awards.
Would you recommend this experience to other members of the staff?
Absolutely! I encourage TU faculty and staff to nominate themselves and others. It’s such an honor to be recognized for your work, especially at the system level. Winners also receive a plaque and a $1,000 stipend.
Note: Nominees for the Board of Regents CUSS Staff Awards must be University System of Maryland staff employees, including staff employees on regular and contingent II status.
Nominees must have been employed for at least five consecutive years. Nominations cannot be made without the knowledge and consent of the nominees.
For nomination forms, go to this Web site.
Nomination forms must be submitted to the assistant to the vice president in the nominated staff member’s division. The deadline is Monday, December 1.