Category: Employee News

Survey of Faculty Bookstore Experiences and Preferences

OLLU has developed a survey to gather feedback regarding various aspects of your interactions with the OLLU bookstore, operated by Follett. The Office of Academic Affairs asks for your participation in this study, whether your experiences have been positive or negative, and whether you have taught undergraduate classes within the OLLU All-Access program or not. 

Your knowledge and opinions are extremely important and will help us assess and improve bookstore policies and procedures.

Please click the following link to participate in the survey, which is estimated to take 1-15 minutes for most, depending on how many types of experiences you have had and how much information you wish to share:

https://ollusa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7UrImyXB9ROfHbE

The survey will close at the end of Monday, May 23.

Nominations for Staff Awards due today

The Executive Committee of Staff Assembly has extended nominations for the annual staff awards through today.

Do you know a staff member who goes above and beyond in one of the categories below? Have they worked at OLLU for at least three years? One recipient will be selected for each award: 

• Rosemary Saenz Award for Customer Service

• Rosemary Saenz Award for Staff Excellence

• Robert Davis Award for Service to Students

• Robert Davis Award for Community Building

The nomination overview and eligibility criteria is on the attached document. The nominations may be submitted electronically (click on the above link for each award) or via form. There will be copies available in the lounge. Please remember that anyone can nominate a staff member.

Awards will be presented during the faculty and staff appreciation reception on April 25, 2023 (more details to come). If you have any questions, please contact your Staff Assembly rep, or email, sac@ollusa.edu.

Faculty promotions and tenure announced

The Office of Academic Affairs announced the following faculty promotions and tenure:

  • Megan Borror, PhD, Biology – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor 
  • Maria De la Cruz, PhD, Psychology – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Adriana Garcia, PhD, Marketing – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Alicia Hawley-Bernardez, PhD, Social Work – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Valerie Martinez, PhD, History – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Kristin O’Donnell, PhD, Psychology – promotion to rank of Professor
  • Joy Patton, PhD, Social Work – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Octavio Quintanilla, PhD, English – promotion to rank of Professor
  • Briana Salas, PhD, Biology – tenure and promotion to rank of Associate Professor
  • Wallis Sanborn, PhD, English – promotion to rank of Professor
  • Yu Sun, PhD, Leadership Studies – promotion to rank of Professor

ITS, Marketing staff members present at national conference

Sulema Cabrera and Ian Gutierrez from OLLU’s ITS Division and Mary Puente from Marketing and Communications presented at the national Ellucian Live Conference held March 26-29 in New Orleans.

The team presented to a crowd of more than 100 participants on their efforts to rollout the Saints Connect dashboard which is built on the Ellucian Experience platform. In addition, Cabrera was on a panel with two other schools that discussed best practices for the platform rollout. Finally, the work of the OLLU team was cited as best practices during two other sessions – one on accessibility and one on product development.

Domínguez was guest speaker at Theta Nu Xi regional conference

Priscilla Domínguez, multimedia designer in the Marketing Communications Office, was the guest speaker for the regional conference for Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc. this past Saturday. Domínguez has served as the chapter adviser since its founding at OLLU in 2017. Regional conferences are held each year, preceding the national conference.

The national, founding chapter is celebrating 25 years of sisterhood this year. The mission of the sorority is “To promote leadership, multiculturalism, and self-improvement through academic excellence involvement in and service to the campus and community as well as being living examples of sisterhood across different races, cultures, religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles.” The theme for this year’s conference was “The Butterfly Transcends: Soar, Ascend and Empower.” The butterfly is the sorority’s main symbol. Nine states were represented by attendees.

Priscilla Domínguez receiving a gift after delivering her speech.  

Nominations sought for the Sister Jane Ann Slater Leadership Award

Each year, a member of the OLLU staff and a member of the OLLU faculty are selected by a committee to receive the Sister Jane Ann Slater Leadership Award.

The award recognizes individuals who have had a positive impact on the university by building unity and community through their generosity of spirit and heart, exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, respect, and optimism.

To nominate a colleague, click here: Faculty & Staff Award Nomination Submission (qualtrics.com)

Nominations are due at Noon on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Sister Jane Ann Leadership Award Description: This award will honor and recognize an OLLU staff or faculty member who has had a positive impact on the university by building unity and community through their generosity of spirit and heart, exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, respect, and optimism.

Eligibility:

• All full-time and part-time staff and faculty members are eligible for this award.

• Previous award winners are not eligible for nomination.

• All OLLU community members (staff, faculty, students, trustees and alumni) are welcome to submit nominations.

• Nominees must be in good standing with the university.

Criteria:
Nominees will have demonstrated qualities such as:

• Motivating and inspiring the people around them to accomplish more than they would have normally;

• Inspiring a high-level commitment from others when taking on new initiatives;

• Creating a compelling vision for the future and helping others understand their roles in achieving it;

• Actively sharing responsibility, authority, information and credit when working towards the achievement of a goal;

• Giving team members all of the tools, authority and trust needed to achieve their tasks;

• Taking prompt decisive action to resolve issues quickly and effectively;

• Communicating in a manner which is fair, straightforward, honorable and open; and/or

• Setting a high standard of integrity by leading through example and maintaining high personal standards.

End of year awards and dinner set for April 25

The Faculty and Staff End of Year Appreciation Dinner and awards will be held April 25 beginning with a reception at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner and awards at 6 p.m. The event will be held in Chapel Auditorium. Dress code is business casual.

Please use the link or information below to RSVP by April 19.

  • RSVP by April 19 at https://forms.office.com/r/YBkeY09ncH
  • For those without computer access, RSVP forms will be placed in the staff lounge. Please complete and return them to Ida Perez in Moye Hall, Office 109.

Retirement planning essentials sessions set for April 17 and 18

Retirement planning consultant (RPC) from Transamerica will be on campus April 17 and 18 to assist employees and answer questions.

These experienced professionals can help employees:

• Enroll in a plan

• Review and understand their Retirement Outlook®

• Determine contribution rate and investment mix

• Learn how life events — such as marriage, children, and buying a home — could impact retirement strategy

• Improve overall financial wellness

Join an in-person group meeting on April 17 regarding Retirement Plan Essentials at 10 a.m. in Main Building, Room 311.

Join an in-person group meeting on April 18 regarding Get Ready to Retire at 10 a.m. in Main Building, Room 311.

Schedule a no-cost, no-obligation individual appointment with a Transamerica RPC on April 17 or 18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Use this link to schedule an appointment: Transamerica online presence – Schedule a Appointment (timetrade.com).