Carolyn Smith Named Global Campus Employee of the Quarter

Carolyn Smith (center) accepts the Global Campus Employee of the Quarter award from Donald Judges, interim vice provost for distance education, and Jamie Loftin, assistant vice provost for distance education administration.

Carolyn Smith has been named employee of the fourth quarter by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Smith is the faculty development coordinator of the Learning Technology Support team, a new branch of the Instructional Design and Support Services unit. Smith provides hands-on, on-demand support and training for faculty who use learning technology in classes on campus and online.

"We have to keep up with technology to keep up with our students," Smith said. "We need to be as connected as our students are. They want to be able to use their phones, their tablets and their laptops."

Donald Judges, interim vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus, said Smith won the award based on peer and faculty recognition of outstanding service.  Both groups praised Smith for understanding and providing the technology tools that faculty need to enhance interaction and comprehension in classes.

 "She learns while she teaches," said Shelly Walters, associate director of Instructional Design and Support Services and head of the Learning Technology Support team. "Listening and finding out what faculty need make her truly effective in her job."

Walters said Smith's work reputation preceded her move to the Global Campus in the spring, when Smith and the rest of the Blackboard support team were integrated into the Global Campus. That integration was done to increase effectiveness and overall support for faculty and students.

Smith started working at the U of A in 2003 as a computer support specialist and Blackboard administrator for the Sam M. Walton College of Business.  Smith moved to University IT Services in October 2012, after the university adopted a single Blackboard license for all units.

"I'm glad to be a part of the team," Smith said. "I'm glad to be able to work with faculty, instead of being just behind the scenes."

The Global Campus awards the employee of the quarter honor to recognize outstanding achievement and accomplishments that relate to the unit's goals and the U of A mission.  The other nominees for employee of the year were Alex Kareev and Heather Sprandel.

The award winner receives a commemorative certificate and a monetary award.