MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Colleen Monismith, administrative support assistant in the John Crain Kunkel Career Center at Penn State Harrisburg, has been honored with the 2023 Support Staff Award.
The award recognizes the overall high-quality performance of a full-time member of the support staff with at least five years of active service in fulfilling the mission of the University and of his or her college or administrative unit. It also recognizes dedicated focus to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork and professionalism.
In her 30 years at Penn State, nominators said, Monismith continues to exemplify a deep passion and commitment to Penn State, its students and fellow staff. Nominators called her “the heart and soul” of the Career Center Office.
Nominators said Monismith has the skillset and patience needed to offer excellent customer service, saying she is efficient, intelligent, empathetic and institutionally knowledgeable. The office works with a variety of stakeholders including students, parents and guardians, alumni, employees and campus partners.
Monismith’s experience makes her an asset to her coworkers and those she helps. She considers herself the office “gatekeeper” and knows how to ask the right questions to solve any problem or issue, nominators said.
“I credit the efficiency of our flow and student intake to her unique talent at providing students with the resources they need before they come in to see a staff member,” a nominator said. “That makes our conversations with those we are trying to help deeper and more fruitful.”
For some students, a trip to Career Services can be intimidating, as it’s often their first time doing so. Nominators said Monismith is acutely aware of that and is ready to help.
“As the first person students see when visiting our office, Monismith certainly makes sure to set them at ease by greeting them with a big smile and friendly personality,” a nominator said. “It is rewarding to observe how students’ body language changes after being helped by Monismith. You can tell in the way she interacts with students that she is student-centered. She takes the time to hear their needs and meet them where they are and help them accordingly.”
Nominators also praised Monismith’s excellence during a trying period: In 2021, when the office witnessed four of its six staff members pursue other career opportunities, Monismith was able to juggle many new tasks while working hard to make sure experiences with Career Services didn’t suffer.
“Throughout this experience in the year that followed, Monismith never lost her dedication to serving Penn State Harrisburg students and maintaining her professionalism in the face of adversity,” a nominator said. “Her ability to step up when the situation called for it, and work in a small team to deliver big results for Harrisburg students is exemplary."