Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Chrisa Potthast-Leezer named the UIS Employee of the Month for March 2020

Chrisa Potthast-Leezer has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for March 2020. She is a disability specialist in the Office of Disability Services.

Potthast-Leezer’s nominator describes her as an honest and considerate co-worker with a strong work ethic. She always presents a team attitude, is polite and helpful and has a smile on her face.

“She has a positive attitude and exudes kindness,” her nominator said. “Working in disability services requires someone who is patient, compassionate, helpful, caring, and kindhearted.”

Her supervisor, Sarah Colby Weaver, says she builds a good rapport with students with disabilities and creates a warm, welcoming environment for them in the office.

“Chrisa works hard to ensure students with disabilities receive the required, documented accommodations for their courses,” Weaver said. “She goes the extra mile to help them and spends time talking with professors, other staff members and the student so that everyone is on the same page and the goal for the success of the student is what’s important.”

Potthast-Leezer spends time in the classroom setting up the adaptive technology that students need. She also meets with professors, prior to students who may have a disability arriving on campus, to help them understand how they can help.

“Chrisa has a positive attitude with the students, by being warm and welcoming when she meets with them,” Weaver said. “We all know it’s not what you say, but how you say it. If you say it with a smile and have a positive attitude, the students will feel that and it will be an atmosphere that they will want to come back to for help.”

Potthast-Leezer is a UIS alumna and a former student-athlete who first started working as a student worker in the Office of Disability Services. She has been a full-time employee in the office for 18 years.

“She knows everyone on campus and has a good rapport with the staff, faculty, students and the public,” Weaver said. “She is professional and maintains relationships need to be resources for our students. “Her positive manner goes a long way and I’m happy to be working with Chrisa.”

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