Yates Named UW Staff Employee of Fourth Quarter

Judy Yates has a knack for solving problems before they even materialize.

That is one of her special qualities her co-worker cites and is among the many attributes that have earned Yates the University of Wyoming Staff Employee of the Fourth Quarter award.

Yates, a UW Department of Secondary Education office associate, received the award, which recognizes UW staff members for their efforts toward excellence in the workplace.

“She is exceptional with details, follow-up and organization, and she is proactive,” wrote a co-worker in a nomination letter. “Judy is an asset with great value to our department in that she handles everything from minor office work to major grant initiatives.”

Yates is known for running an efficient office -- a reliable place -- that the department faculty can count on daily, says a co-worker.

“As stated before, she often solves problems before they happen, and this creates positive, energetic work conditions,” the nominator adds. “When problems do arise, she is quick to find an answer and is tenacious in her research of the issue.”

Yates has been in the Department of Secondary Education six years, coming to UW from the Wyoming Department of Education, giving her a 15-year career in the education field. Her experience was cited by another nominator.

“She leads our department so efficiently that she is an example for other departments in our college,” the colleague says. “When other departments need support, she is the one that carries the extra duties without complaint. The college relies on her as much as the department in that the tasks that are assigned to her are complex. She conducts her tasks well and with a smile.”

Yates says she loves her job because she is able to work with “those that guide our future educators.”

“Through the foster care that my husband and I do, we have had almost 20 children go through the Laramie public school system. I really like being connected to the education community,” she says. “I believe that it takes a village to raise kids, to educate kids and to have a life of success. I have the most amazing village in the Department of Secondary Education. I love the people and the work.”

A reception to honor Yates will be announced at a later date.

Employee of the Quarter nominees can be any UW staff employee and must receive three nomination forms from three separate individuals. Nominations must be submitted to the Staff Senate office. The forms are on the web at www.uwyo.edu/staffsenate/employee-of-the-quarter. The deadline to nominate someone for the first quarter is Friday, March 10.