Join your Mason family for a celebration as we conclude another successful year.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
Drop off Toys for Tots donations in the Cinema lobby during the event.
Happy Holidays!
Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus is available to all active George Mason University employees at no cost. Mason provides each active employee with the latest version of Microsoft Office, which includes software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., to use on personally-owned (non-Mason) computers or mobile devices. Each employee may install Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus on up to five (non-Mason) computers and five mobile devices (personal or Mason-owned) by using their @gmu.edu email address.
For additional information and installation instructions, visit tsd.gmu.edu/services/office365/ProPlus/index.cfm.
Contact the ITS Support Center at [email protected] or 703-993-8870 with questions.
Before I started working at Mason in October 2010, I was an undergraduate student in Mason’s Music Performance program. I came to Mason as a student because I had a music teacher in high school who studied music education at Mason and highly recommended the program. I completed my Bachelors of Music in Performance (Viola). While I was a student, I worked in the Johnson Center Library (now known as the Gateway Library).
I joined Staff Senate so I can offer a voice for my colleagues in the libraries and all Mason Staff, turning any complaints into action for improvement. I serve on the Events Committee (the “party-planning” committee), which organizes Staff Appreciation Events throughout the year, along with the annual Toys for Tots donation drive during the holiday season.
Fun fact about me: I was on the wrestling team in high school.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and music (playing, singing, listening, and arranging).
Katara Wright is an Access Services Specialist, Fenwick Circulation, with University Libraries.
Wednesday, December 2
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Fairfax: Innovation Hall, Room 334
Arlington: Founders Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
Science and Technology: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (videoconferenced)
Front Royal: Academic, Room 219 (videoconferenced)
Guest Speaker:
Lori Ann Roth, Director of Training and Organizational Development, Human Resources and Payroll, will present a session on StrengthsFinder. All are welcome to attend and learn how to integrate strengths into our work at Mason. To take the StrengthsFinder assessment for free, visit masonwbu.gallup.com/signin/default.aspx#home. After the assessment is complete, print the “Strengths Insight” and “Signature Themes” documents and bring them to the meeting.
Guest speaker begins at noon, followed by time to ask questions, express concerns, or offer accolades about issues concerning Mason staff. Contact [email protected] with questions.
A heartfelt congratulations to Kelley Shillingburg, Finance/Fiscal Manager with the Mason Enterprise Center, for being selected as the November 2015 Employee of the Month award winner. Read more about Kelley in this Mason News article.
Do you know a superstar? Make sure he or she receives the deserved recognition, and submit a nomination for Mason’s Employee of the Month. Additional information can be found on the HR awards page.
Contact Reward and Recognition at [email protected] with questions.
Wednesday, November 4
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus: Innovation Hall, Room 334
Arlington Campus: Founders Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
Science and Technology Campus: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (videoconferenced)
Guest Speakers:
Representatives from INTO Mason will share information with Mason staff about this exciting program for international students. Larisa Prinz, from Mason Dining, will solicit feedback from staff about upcoming dining initiatives.
Guest speakers begin at noon, followed by time to ask questions, express concerns, or offer accolades about issues concerning the Staff Senate. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Christopher Maier is a Project Engineer with Facilities Management, who joined Mason in May 2015.
I have worked throughout the continental United States as an engineer in different capacities. Most of my previous work experience has been related to private-residential, one-of-kind homes, commercial high-rises, institutional facilities, and many federal buildings, memorials, and recognizable landmarks in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond. I have a healthy balance of engineering design, specification writing, product knowledge, application procedures, and construction administration services.
While traveling around the United States is an exciting opportunity, at some point I wanted to settle down and start a family. I was looking for an organization with a sense of community with opportunities for research and education. To improve professionally, you have keep learning.
I became interested in joining Staff Senate when I learned of its accomplishments over the years. I hope to create new opportunities, experiences, and benefits for my colleagues in an effort to improve morale. Before I joined Staff Senate, there were no Senators from Facilities Administration/Management, and both these organizations are critical to the successful operations of our infrastructure, on all of our campuses.
Fun fact: I am also a licensed and certified Massage Therapist in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I specialize in deep-tissue, reiki, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Indian Head, neck and foot massage with Ayurvedic oils, and hot/cold stone massage.
My other interests include research and development of new technologies in construction, inspection, and civil engineering, new product ideas for engineering and massage, building new homes, land development, real estate, and investing.
The Staff Senate is pleased to announce the 2015 Outstanding Supervisor Award winners. Chosen from a competitive pool of over 20 nominees, the two winners exemplify outstanding leadership skills and embody the Mason spirit:
Liza Wilson Durant was appointed acting chair of the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering. According to her nominator, Kristin Amaya, Liza “immediately owned the position, and did so with ease, grace, drive, and professionalism, and she quickly earned the respect and trust of staff, faculty, and students throughout our department community.” Liza encourages a positive work-life balance, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of her faculty and staff, and promotes collegiality within her department by encouraging input and discussion on all decisions pertaining to her unit.
Sarah Walz has been an employee of Mason for over 10 years, and she brings substantial knowledge of Mason policies and guidelines to Learning Solutions (formerly called the Office of Continuing Professional Education). She also encourages new ideas. According to her nominator, Kerry Doran, Sarah “always gives consideration to any idea to improve processes or marketing— whether big or small. Although Sarah was my direct supervisor, working for her felt more like a collaborative team.” Kerry adds that Sarah’s “work ethic, organizational skills, fairness, policy awareness, and sense of humor have made working for her very easy. She’s instilled the practice that often gets lost in workplaces: the idea of working hard, but not forgetting to take care of yourself, as well.”
Liza Wilson Durant and Sarah Walz will be formally recognized at the Human Resources Outstanding Achievement Awards on November 3. Nicole Roth, Chair of the Staff Senate, will present these awards on behalf of the Staff Senate.
The Staff Senate would like to recognize all who were nominated for their outstanding contributions supervising Mason staff:
November is promising to be a great month for the Staff Senate. At our General Meeting on November 4, we will welcome the INTO Mason program to our meeting to discuss the part INTO plays in staff experiences. Following their presentation, Larisa Prinz from Mason Dining will take feedback from the Senate and staff regarding new initiatives. Do come to this informative meeting!
I hope you had the opportunity to attend President Cabrera’s Town Hall or to read the email sent from the Office of Communications and Marketing on Friday, October 16 summarizing the session. If you have any feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me. I continue to serve on the president’s Contract Renewal Committee and would love to have staff feedback for our next meeting.
In the coming week, you will receive a survey with several questions regarding President Cabrera’s performance at the university. Take time to complete this survey and make your voice known. Your feedback is important!
Nicole Roth
Chair, Staff Senate
[email protected]
November 2015 Announcements
Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day: Registration Underway!
Register for Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day at hr.gmu.edu/learning/fsed. Join us on Tuesday, November 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for this year’s theme: Dive into Your Strengths. Keynote speakers include Men’s Basketball Head Coach David Paulsen and leadership and mindfulness expert Laurie Cameron.
Breakout sessions will provide strategies for using your strengths in teams, in conflict, to improve your health, and more. Additionally, the keynote speaker presentations will be videoconferenced to the Arlington and SciTech Campuses.
To take the StrengthsFinder assessment for free, visit wbu.gmu.edu/strengths-academy. You must have taken StrengthsFinder in order to register.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
Last Chance for On-Site Flu Shots for COVA and Kaiser Participants
In conjunction with Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day, participants in COVA Care, COVA HDHP, COVA HealthAware, or Kaiser Permanente may take advantage of an on-site flu shot clinic on Tuesday, November 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Johnson Center Gold Room. See page 2 of the 2015 Seasonal Flu Shot Guide for important information.
For questions, call Life/Work Connections at 703-993-2600.
Next Steps: Plan for Your Retirement – Friday, November 20
On November 20, Mason faculty and staff within five years of retirement are invited to attend this day-long seminar to gather resources and learn about timely and relevant topics. Presenters include the Social Security Administration, TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), and the Mason Benefits team. To register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning and click on the Course Calendar tab.
For questions, contact Bridget Peabody at 703-993-6764 or [email protected].
Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) Underway
The 2015 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is underway. This is the annual charity drive by the employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Online giving is available through payroll deduction as well as one-time credit card donations at eDirect.virginia.gov. A list of charities can be viewed here.
Contact Helga Yunker at 703-993-4057 or [email protected] for additional information or pledge cards.
Build Your Financial Knowledge
Visit the Financial Well-Being portal for on-site classes, online classes, tools, calculators, and other resources to help you round-out your financial knowledge. Upcoming on-site classes for November and early December are included below. All sessions are videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech. Visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php to register.
