Lori Gonzales Selected as UW Staff Employee of Third Quarter

Colleagues of Lori Gonzales say the University of Wyoming Global Engagement Office administrative associate consistently goes above and beyond her assigned duties to ensure those around her are successful. She is efficient, organized and a team player. 

Those personal traits for on-the-job performance have earned Gonzales the UW Staff Employee of the Third Quarter Award. The award recognizes a UW staff member for her/his efforts toward excellence in the workplace. Established in March 1985 to recognize outstanding staff as the Employee of the Month Award, the award was revised into the current program in January 1990. The award is given to one current UW staff member every calendar quarter. The staff employee of the year will be named at Staff Senate’s Recognition Day celebration next spring semester.

A reception to honor Gonzales is Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. in the International Resource Center lounge in the basement of the Cheney International Center, where she will receive various prizes.

According to one of her nominators, Gonzales always completes her tasks in a timely manner.

“Without her coordination and assistance on the large number of activities that we operate out of this office, we would have to stop offering those activities,” one nominator says. “She is always looking for ways to do things more efficiently or ways of helping others do their jobs better or easier. Her entire attitude is to do things for others, and this is what makes her so valuable to our department.”

Another nominator who led a conference for students says that, without Gonzales’ knack for detail, the function would not have been a success; she made sure everything was thoroughly organized.

“By that, I mean she always gets her work completed effectively and efficiently, and understands priorities that are already excellent,” her colleague adds.

Gonzales has been at UW for 13 years, the past two in the Global Engagement Office. Before that, she worked in the Outreach School.

One co-worker says that she is a valuable resource with institutional knowledge who benefits all those around her.

“She values being part of a team and frequently coordinates efforts within the department to celebrate others’ achievements, whether they are personal or professional,” one nominator says. “Our student employees view her as a great support system and frequently seek her out for advice and guidance.”

Another co-worker says Gonzales asks questions and always seeks to learn and improve. She maintains great relationships both on and off campus, a co-worker adds.

“Her relationships with other departments, divisions, colleges, etc., have really helped our ability to network, build and collaborate as we grow as a department on campus,” the colleague says. “Lori is a wonderful example of a hardworking, dedicated employee who makes this university a better place day in and day out.”

Gonzales says she is proud to work for UW.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award. I love my job and look forward to coming to work every day,” she says. “I work with amazing colleagues, and working with international students has been such a rewarding experience for me.”

An Employee of the Quarter nominee can be any UW staff employee, and each must receive three nomination forms from three separate individuals. Nominations must be submitted to the Staff Senate office. The forms are on the web and can be found here.

For more information, call the Staff Senate office at 766-5300.