Friday, November 16, 2018

Nicole Geczi, an executive assistant in the Watson College of Education, has been awarded the 2018 UNCW Staff Award for Excellence.

Geczi and 27 other staff members were recognized in a ceremony November 15 for their contributions to the campus and the community. The staff members, representing divisions across campus, were nominated by colleagues for their exemplary work ethic.

“The hard work and dedication of our outstanding staff have helped make our university the success that it is today,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “Those staff members honored have not only made vast differences across their disciplines and within their departments, but they continue to elevate UNCW and the community as a whole. We are grateful for, and humbled by, their stellar service.”

Geczi joined UNCW in August 2014 as an administrative associate in the Watson College of Education and was promoted to her current role as executive assistant in July 2016. In her nomination letter, Associate Dean Donyell Roseboro praised Geczi’s can-do attitude and spirit.

“Although her responsibilities have more than doubled in the last year, she has embraced each new challenge with a unique problem-solving perspective. All of our work requires extensive connections to public schools and community agencies. Our partners have to trust us, and that trust is earned with each solution she leads us toward,” the nomination said.

After a thorough review of the nominees, the selection committee submitted five individuals, including Geczi, to be considered for the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on a state employee. One nominee, Office of Facilities AiM system administrator Michael Last, was named the winner of the prestigious award. The other top three employees submitted for consideration were:

• Michelle Cummings, events and board manager, University Advancement (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Nicole Fedders, assistant director, Campus Activities & Involvement (Customer Service)
• Eric Griffin, assistant director, Environmental Health & Safety (Human Relations)

The other UNCW Staff Award for Excellence nominees were:

• Ashley Adamovage, military liaison and program manager, Military Affairs (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Jane Bailey, business officer, Cameron School of Business (Human Relations)
• Edna Bennett, assistant director, University Advancement (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Patrick Carroll, research specialist, Center for Marine Science (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Beth Casper, administrative support associate, Mathematics and Statistics (Customer Service)
• Tracie Chadwick, administrative associate, Biology and Marine Biology (Customer Service)
• David Childers, technology support specialist and data analyst, Graduate School (Efficacy and Innovation)
• Olivia Cunningham, talent development specialist, Human Resources (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Susanne Dieppa, administrative associate, Cameron School of Business (Human Relations)
• Kerri Fowler, administrative associate, Watson College of Education (Human Relations)
• Susan Gray, program specialist, Academic Affairs Resource Management (Customer Service)
• Steve Hall, research vessel captain, Center for Marine Science (Customer Service)
• Jon Kapell, director, Campus Activities & Involvement (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Matthew McIver, research specialist, Center for Marine Science (Customer Service)
• Melissa Newcity, administrative assistant, Watson College of Education (Efficacy and Innovation)
• Naamah Noble, student records coordinator, Office of the Registrar (Customer Service)
• Steve Perry, risk and compliance officer, Information Technology Services (Efficacy and Innovation)
• Jodie Ruskin, administrative support specialist, Environmental Health & Safety (Outstanding State Government Service)
• Jennifer Schacher, university program associate, Swain Center (Efficacy and Innovation)
• Janice Siko, executive assistant to the dean, Watson College of Education (Human Relations)
• Patricia Thompson, resource management director, Information Technology Services (Human Relations)
• David Wells, computer/electronic technician, Center for Marine Science (Customer Service)
• Teresa White, assistant registrar for records, Office of the Registrar (Customer Service)

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