Kerry Garcia Named Global Campus Employee of the Quarter

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Kerry Garcia, grant compliance specialist

Kerry Garcia has been named employee of the fourth quarter by the U of A Global Campus.

Garcia, grant compliance specialist on the Professional and Workforce Development team at Global Campus, was nominated for her dedicated hard work managing the Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project.

"Being recognized by my peers for the work that I have done over the last two and a half years as part of the Reimagine team means a lot, and I am grateful to be the recipient of the GC EOQ award," Garcia said.

Garcia is the primary application reviewer and the first point of contact for the Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project. She is responsible for processing all applications, determining eligibility, enrolling people in the program and much more. Her main focus is to assist people across the state to take the next step on their career path.

"Kerry has been the lifeblood of the Reimagine Grant program," Garcia's co-workers said. "While we have struggled to fill in long-vacant positions related to grant administration, Kerry has remained steadfast, working largely alone. Without her work, thousands of Arkansans would be without the opportunity provided to them by training programs available through the grant. She does this all with a kind attitude and a resilient spirit."

Tara Dryer, senior managing director for Professional and Workforce Development located in The Collaborative in Bentonville, said about Garcia, "Kerry has gone above and beyond to make sure we are serving individuals across the state. She is the first point of contact and has been crucial to the success of the program."

Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus, recognized Garcia as the employee of the quarter at a July staff meeting.

"It was such a pleasure recognizing Kerry as the Global Campus Employee of the Quarter," Murphy said. "Thousands of Arkansans have received life-changing training thanks to her dedication and hard work, and it is a privilege to acknowledge the impact of her efforts with this well-deserved award."

Garcia joined Global Campus in April 2021 as part of the team hired to work on the grant.

The Global Campus awards the employee of the quarter to recognize outstanding achievements and accomplishments that relate to the unit's goals and the U of A mission. The award recipient receives a commemorative certificate and a monetary award. The four quarterly awardees may then be eligible to become the Global Campus Employee of the Year.

Other fourth quarter nominees:

• Kaleb Futch, learning resources developer
• James Martin, instructional designer
• Justin Mazzanti, building specialist
• Abi Moser, Blackboard support coordinator
• Ken Muessig, instructional design manager
• Rabia Shattuck, customer relationship management coordinator

The Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project is designed to benefit Arkansans who need training to join or thrive in the workplace. Job training is funded through a $13.6 million grant to the Arkansas Workforce Development Board and the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services from the U.S. Department of Education; training options span 14 career fields. Those who are unemployed, underemployed, are new to the workforce and/or have no work history, are a member of an underrepresented population, receive public assistance, reside in rural areas, are a veteran, are the spouse of a veteran, are experiencing homelessness, are 55 years or age or older, previously incarcerated, have been paroled or are on probation are encouraged to apply.

The Global Campus supports the U of A academic colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online degree programs and courses, self-paced online courses and workforce development programs. This unit provides instructional design services, learning technology support, media production services and assistance with financial administration, recruitment and marketing.

The Global Campus also supports the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students studying in online degree programs.