UNK Employee Achievement Award
September 2009
Judy Spellman
Administrative Associate – Division of Student Affairs
Since April 1989, Judy Spellman has shared the position of the Secretary to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs with her co-secretary Lonna Weiss*, and among the many changes since that appointment, is the transition to their current titles – now both Administrative Associates in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
Judy works Tuesdays, Thursdays, and is, obviously a large part of the personal success of a number of Students, Faculty, and Staff. Judy is key in the balance brought to this position as she makes sure that both the “nitty gritty” of detail and doing things for the right reasons are considered – which includes organizing everything from birthday parties, to getting important information needed for a background check on a student, or answering a parent or external administrative inquiry. Judy can be trusted to keep the Division of Student Affairs informed and to give not only facts but also honest and accurate opinions. She works hard every day to accomplish the mission for Student Affairs. She understands how important giving that extra smile or pat on the back can be to the success of a project or individual.
Judy is also a tremendous asset to the UNK Emergency Operation Team. She supports the team as administrative assistant by taking minutes at meetings, sending out e-mail notices to the team, and tracking activities at drills and exercises, as well as real events. Judy developed and maintains a billfold- size emergency number directory that has proven to be very useful. She is very good at monitoring web sites for emergency operation-related resources and can be counted on to use her talents to put together posters and mock-up boards for educational purposes. She has become the "glue" that keeps emergency operations going on the UNK campus.
Her laughter and smile are contagious and is great at helping Students, Faculty, and Staff know someone sincerely cares about them. She is always willing to take a few moments to visit, genuinely interested in how people are, and what they’ve been doing. She also has been a wonderful community resource. In short, Judy is a consummate professional who truly cares about her work and the people with whom she interacts.
*See next month’s Award announcement for Lonna’s bio.