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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:
Hello, Professional Staff!
We hope you enjoy this new edition of the PSA VOICE.
Inside this edition, we are proud to honor the two Professional Staff who were recipients of 2021 Outstanding Staff Awards. They were selected from a pool of more than 100 nominations. We appreciate that the university brought back this annual tradition after taking a pause during the pandemic. Read more below.
We are also excited to announce our spring apparel fundraiser. Our Fundraising Committee has worked diligently to create three soft, premium items for purchase from local company JUPMODE to support our Progress Fund. Read more below.
As UToledo’s strategic planning committee continues to meet and works to chart a course for the institution’s next several years, we appreciate those staff who participated in the recent Town Hall sessions and provided valuable feedback. We will share more opportunities to provide your input as they are announced.
Finally, as we look ahead to more sunshine and warmer weather, we are happy to share that we will again be hosting an Ice Cream Social later this spring. Watch your email for more details.
We welcome your emails at utpsc@utoledo.edu and confidential comments.
Keep up the great work and know that we are with you and will continue to advocate for you.
Go Rockets!
Ceana Glover
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Spring Apparel Sale raises funds to support Professional Staff Association Progress Fund
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The Professional Staff Association (PSA) has teamed up with UToledo preferred vendor and local business JUPMODE for a premium apparel presale.
Proceeds from the apparel sale will be allocated to the Professional Staff Association Progress Fund and will support the professional staff at The University of Toledo with continuing education, professional development, and networking opportunities. Thank you for your generous support!
This presale is running until Sunday, March 20th at midnight.
THIS IS A PRESALE. Please note that Jupmode doesn't hold inventory of these goods in their retail store. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Add on or changes to order cannot be made after close of sale.
You can make an additional gift to the Professional Staff Association Progress Fund at: tol-edo.org/PSAFund.
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Five employees honored with University’s Outstanding Staff Awards
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Three of the five 2021 Outstanding Staff Awards winners, from left, Amy Beerbower, Sharon Dietrich and De’Siree Spears met with UToledo President Gregory Postel at a private ceremony.
Not pictured are award recipients Kristin Kamcza and Edward Wenger.
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Two Professional Staff members were among five employees selected to receive the University’s 2021 Outstanding Staff Awards from a pool of more than 100 submitted nominations.
The employees were honored by University of Toledo President Gregory Postel in December at a private ceremony to recognize their significant impact to the University through outstanding dedication and accomplishments; a demonstrated commitment to the University’s core purpose; and through exceptional leadership and loyalty to the University.
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Sharon Dietrich
Web Content Analyst in the Office of University Marketing and Communications; has worked at the University since 1997
Nominator comments:
- “She truly cares about her stakeholders, and I sincerely appreciate all she has done for us.”
- “She was very responsive and innovative in helping us improve our customer-facing web experience, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Sharon was patient and guiding throughout a process she had been through many times. It was so appreciated and so refreshing to work with someone committed to our success.”
- “Sharon always tries to do what is the right thing for not only UToledo, but our students and staff and faculty. She always strives for excellence in all she does and has passion for her daily job”
- “She never has the attitude of ‘not my problem.’ She has a heart of gold and knows and performs her job with fierce loyalty, determination and dedication.”
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Edward Wenger
Director of the Academic Testing Center in the Student Testing Center; joined the Student Testing Center in 2018
Nominator comments:
- “Ed was always responsive to student needs and quick to reply when we needed assistance scheduling exams and for advice. Then COVID-19 came on the scene in February 2020. With the national stay-at-home orders, test centers closed, student exam dates were canceled and the academic test world was thrown into chaos. This is when Ed showed his leadership and dedication to students.”
- “During COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Ed worked extended hours to attend evening town halls with students so they could hear firsthand how things were progressing and the latest news affecting their professional careers. Ed also worked with regional and national leaders to create new testing opportunities for our students, so they had opportunities to take their board exams. He even worked to set our center as a national standard on how to open a center following COVID-19 regulations, and many schools followed our example.”
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Other employees honored were:
- Amy Beerbower, staff nurse in 5AB Med/Surg Department. She worked as a nursing assistant as a student, later joining the staff in 2019.
- Kristin Kamcza, program accreditation specialist in the College of Pharmacy. She started in 2001 as a secretary 2 in the Writing Center.
- De’Siree Spears, a patient care technician in the outpatient surgery post-anesthesia care unit. She joined UTMC in 2000.
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PSA Scholarship application open until March 15
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The PSA Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic year scholarship. Only UToledo students enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least a sophomore standing (30 earned hours) and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale should apply. Applicants must also submit the name and email address of a PSA member who can provide a recommendation, write a 500-word essay explaining why they are deserving of the award, and have a completed FAFSA on file, as financial need is a consideration.
Applications must be completed using the online scholarship application form no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2022. PSA members named will automatically be sent an online recommendation form, and students will receive automatic confirmation when both their application and the PSA member’s recommendation have been received. Because these are automated processes, no paper, email, or faxed applications will be accepted.
Please encourage all qualified students to apply for this non-college specific scholarship, which can be used to fund tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses, and let them know they can list you as their recommender!
Award recipients will be announced at the PSA annual meeting in May. The total amount of scholarships awarded each year is based on available funds.
Thank you in advance for supporting the PSA Scholarship fund through our fundraising events such as the Holiday Bazaar, silent auction, and contributions through the UT Foundation. We could not do this without your support!
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Provost Office offers Faculty and Staff Professional Development Funds
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The Office of the Provost continues to support faculty and staff with its professional development funds. This is an opportunity for both faculty and staff to apply for financial support to advance their professional development. There is a source of funds available for spring 2022, available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details about the program and how to apply, please visit the website.
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Reminder: LinkedIn Learning access
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All faculty and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning, an on-demand, online educational platform to help employees gain new skills and advance their careers. Discover a continually growing and evolving library of training videos and tutorials covering a wide range of software, technologies, and business topics. This professional development, at no cost to employees or departments, is available 24/7 using an employee's UToledo single sign-on.
Activate Your Account
The UToledo account will require Single Sign-On authentication. When you activate your account for the first time, you will be prompted to connect your UToledo account to your personal LinkedIn account — this step is optional.
To access the LinkedIn Learning platform using single sign-on, please go here: Activation Link. |
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Accepting applications: Higher Education Online Master’s Degree program
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Dear Colleagues,
If you have a passion for the college setting, helping students and leadership, come join the higher education online master's program at The University of Toledo. A master’s degree in higher education administration will help you stand out to potential employers and gain a deeper understanding of content areas, including student development, finance, assessment as well as policy. This program will be accepting candidates for the Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters. I hope you will consider this professional development opportunity or forward this information to other colleagues who may be interested in pursuing a master’s degree with us!
This six-semester, 30 credit-hour program prepares individuals to pursue careers as administrators and professional staff in college and university settings. This 100% online program includes 10 eight-week courses taught by the program faculty, who have received training in online instruction through Quality Matters certification. For priority consideration, individuals are encouraged to submit their application materials by the dates listed below. However, this program will be accepting applicants on a rolling basis.
Priority Deadlines
Summer 2022: Monday, April 11, 2022
Fall 2022: Monday, July 25, 2022
Spring 2023: Monday, December 5, 2022
You may gain more information on our program by completing the online form found here or by signing up for one of our Spring 2022 virtual information sessions.
Thank you for your consideration,
Debra Brace, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Higher Education Online Master's Program
debra.brace@utoledo.edu
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Campus COVID-19 protocols
Mask Requirement
The University continues to require well-fitting masks that fully cover the nose and mouth for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors on our campuses. Disposable, hospital-grade masks are now required for all employees and visitors at The University of Toledo Medical Center, including in non-clinical areas. Patients and visitors wearing cloth masks will be provided a disposable mask that can be worn alone or under their cloth mask.
Individuals are not required to wear masks while alone in their office or while eating. Masks are not required outdoors; however, the CDC recommends in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases that individuals consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings.
Masks Available
The University of Toledo is making disposable face masks available to faculty, staff and students on both campuses. Learn more.
Testing
Employees and students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, tiredness, dry cough or changes in their sense of taste or smell, should call The University of Toledo Medical Center’s testing line at 419.383.4545 to schedule an appointment. Learn more.
The University of Toledo is offering faculty, staff and students the opportunity to schedule a free rapid COVID-19 test. To request an appointment, individuals should visit the University’s online scheduling portal. This testing is for asymptomatic individuals only.
Booster Doses
Faculty, staff and students can schedule an appointment for a booster dose by visiting the Ohio Department of Health’s vaccine scheduling portal. More information about booster doses is available on UToledo’s vaccine webpage or from the CDC.
The University of Toledo has expanded its vaccine registry, enabling members of the campus community to share documentation of COVID-19 booster shots. Learn more.
Isolation and Quarantine
UToledo has updated our isolation and quarantine guidance in accordance with the CDC’s latest updates, including these highlights:
- Individuals who were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and who have not received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including a booster dose once eligible, should quarantine for at least five days before returning to work, class or other on-campus activities.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms, should self-isolate for at least five days.
For more details, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website.
Vaccine Requirement
Nov. 15 was the deadline to share your COVID-19 vaccine status through the University's secure online portal. Unvaccinated students and employees — including those who have been granted an exemption — are required to participate in the University’s surveillance COVID-19 testing process. Appointments are available on Main Campus and Health Science Campus. Learn more.
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Jason Rahe
Lead Systems Engineer
Information Technology
Division of Technology and Advanced Solutions (DTAS)
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How long have you been a Rocket and in what capacity?
I have been a Rocket since Fall of 1996 when I started my undergraduate degree. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems and Operations Management from the College of Business in May of 2001. During my undergraduate career, I was a member of the alto saxophone section of the Rocket Marching Band and a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. In December of 2007, I earned my Master’s Degree in Education Technology from the College of Education.
Shortly after graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree, I was hired into Information Technology (IT) as a 1000-hour employee working over at the Scott Park Campus in Desktop Support and accepted a full-time position in November of 2001. In 2005, I moved up to the University Computer Center and accepted a position as Systems Administrator. Today, I am a Lead Systems Engineer in IT and completed my 19th year in November.
How would you describe your job?
I am a Lead Systems Engineer in the Infrastructure Engineering department of IT. I interact with faculty, staff, and students daily providing support with their UTAD accounts, email account requests/issues, and network file shares. As a team, we must respond quickly to ensure that our customers can continue to perform their duties here at UToledo. It is a challenge every day and I am very thankful that it is never the same day twice and there is always a new opportunity or challenge ahead.
What distinguishes UToledo from other workplaces?
UToledo is very student-centered and the faculty and staff are truly passionate in making sure that our students have the best experience during their college career. IT’s focus is to be supportive in getting our faculty, staff, and students the IT support they need to be successful.
What resources from UToledo are your “must-haves” to perform your job?
I would not be able to do my job without the support of my colleagues and peers. When a challenge arises, we all jump in and give it our all to get the job done.
What is your favorite thing about UToledo?
Our campus! Our campus is beautiful. The architecture and landscape make our community a very welcoming place to work and study.
Can you tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to learn?
I am the third generation to work at UToledo. My grandmother worked in the Personnel (HR) Office and my mother worked in the Financial Aid Office.
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Want to be in the Spotlight, or know someone who should?
Nominate yourself or a colleague for a Spotlight feature
in an upcoming newsletter with our web nomination form.
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Get involved, join a committee!
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You made it to the end of the newsletter! Thank you for reading the PSA Voice. We hope you enjoyed the content.
We hope that you become active in the PSA and join us in our efforts to advocate for all professional staff employees. Please feel free to contact any of the PSC members directly to learn more.
Please consider joining a committee (see the full list of committees below).
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The Professional Staff Association (PSA) of The University of Toledo consists of all classified exempt, classified salaried, and unclassified administrative and professional employees who do not belong to a bargaining unit and do not have faculty rank. The group of approximately 1,200 employees
was officially recognized by the University in 1992.
The Professional Staff Council (PSC) is the elected body that represents PSA to the administration on topics such as compensation, changes in health benefits, assisting with the Outstanding Staff Awards and other various issues.
Please contact PSC with any questions, concerns and ideas.
There is also an anonymous feedback form.
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