Deb Ply is the November EOM

Deb Ply walked into the Public Affairs Center Restaurant ready to work with her laptop in tow. However, she soon realized she had walked into her Employee of the Month party. Co-workers, friends, and family surprised her on November 15, 2012.

Ply is an Office Manager for the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and has worked at UIS since August 2008. Her nominator describes her as a “consummate professional” who is able to manage her complex and multifaceted job with “precision and accuracy.”

“She consistently works to improve the function of the Office of Undergraduate Education by developing new strategies and tools to manage the workflow and insure timely completion of office tasks. She works smoothly and professionally with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and external constituents,” said her nominator.

Ply has an interest in new technologies and recently developed a document tracking system for the office, which ensures that importance university documents are processed.

“Deb is always positive about her job and views the work she does as an opportunity to learn and grow professionally. She came from the business world, but believes deeply in the value of higher education and in the work that universities, like UIS, do,” added her nominator.

She is known for always being willing to help and tries to learn more about university processes so that she can answer questions and provide more support for student and faculty.

“Her professionalism is quiet – she does not gossip, is never negative towards co-workers, and is always customer friendly,” said her nominator.

Ply is active in volunteer activities on campus, including serving on the LGBTQ Resource Office’s Safe Zone Committee. She helped plan and implement many of the Safe Zone trainings that took place this fall.

As Employee of the Month, Ply will receive a special parking spot for the month along with some extra spending cash on her i-card.

Donald Fay is the October EOM

Building Service Sub Foreman Donald Fay didn’t know what to expect as he entered the Stars Lounge on October 31, 2012. He could have been walking into a Halloween party, but it turns out it was his Employee of the Month party.

Fay was named October 2012 Employee of the Month at UIS. His co-workers, friends, and family gathered to help him celebrate the award.

“Don’s pleasing, outgoing personality, character and honesty, combined with his energy, skills, enthusiasm and attention to detail on behalf of the occupants of his building are just a few of the talents that enable him to succeed,” said Fay’s nominator for the award.

Fay is known for coming up with practical solutions to resolve problems and maintains a “high, productive, consistent output of work.”

“Don consistently exceeds performance expectations,” said his nominator. “When asked about an assignment, his answer is usually ‘just finished’ or ‘we’re in the final states.”

He often completes projects ahead of his supervisor’s schedule and easily adapts on his own and makes decisions about challenging situations. He never leaves his supervisor wondering if a project has been completed.

“Don treats all of his co-workers as well as staff and faculty with respect,” said the nominator. “He provides encouragement to newer employees that he is training or works with. He is polite and tactful in all situations, follows proper protocol and responds to criticism without being defensive.”

Outside of work, Fay is active in his church and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. Before coming to UIS in 2006, Fay served for over 20 years in the U.S. Navy.

As Employee of the Month, Fay will receive a special parking spot for the month along with some extra spending cash on his i-card.