Some might say academia isn't the ripest atmosphere for innovation, but employees at Midland's
Northwood University are proving those folks wrong.
During the school's latest graduation ceremonies, four employees were honored with 2011 Employee Innovation Awards. The awards have been around since 2002 and are given at each of the university's three campuses, in Midland, Florida and Texas, for innovative work.
"This award is not empty praise, it comes with a $1,000 stipend for as many as five of our employees, university-wide, who have demonstrated special attention to our University and our students by innovating or creating special programs or processes or initiatives which move us ahead," says Northwood University President Keith Pretty.
Mamiko Reeves, Tina Brisbois, Lea Dietzel and Lake Hamilton were this year's recipients. Any employee except a vice president or provost can be nominated for the awards.
Reeves, the director of international education, won for work in launching a new partnership between Northwood and the Young Presidents Organization.
Brisbois and Dietzel shared an award, for their improvements to Northwood's diploma process. The printing and management of diplomas now is done in-house, which the pair found could be done both better and cheaper.
Hamilton, the director of graduate programs, oversaw the re-working of the school's MBA scholarships, which increased enrollment. Other innovations on Hamilton's part were bringing MBA instructional materials in-house, and helping MBA programs grow.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Keith Pretty, Northwood University
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