Sharing Our Successes
I must walk past the Connection Desk in the Pond Student Union at least a dozen times a day, and I am always impressed by the students and staff who work at that important station in our union. They are the first faces people see when they come in that primary entrance to the SUB. They are among the first people to welcome visitors, and they are largely responsible for some of the first impressions those visitors have of our campus. They handle everything from assisting people who are lost to facilitating connections to services, reassuring new students, addressing all manner of concerns, and more. I’d like to give a shout-out to all of our Connection Desk staff.
One staff person in particular was recently nominated for the Be a Bengal Compassion Award: Becky Christensen. The Compassion Award recognizes the qualities of caring, friendship, happiness, and empathy, qualities that Becky, a post-baccalaureate student employee, embodies. Especially during Covid, when our Connection Desk staff must interact with students, staff, faculty, and visitors from behind a plastic shield, it is important to make an extra effort to let people know that they are welcome and that our staff is watching out for them. Becky keeps an eye on the SUB entrance. She doesn't wait for people to figure out where the Connection Desk is or make their way to it. From behind that screen, Becky calls out a greeting and asks what help she can provide. She makes it seem as though she's just been waiting there to make that next person's experience in our SUB a positive one. Nor does she default to a standard "Hello. Can I help you?" She takes the time to say something genuine and genuinely welcoming to each individual she encounters, and I have seen the relief, particularly on the faces of our community and family visitors, when they encounter this warm, friendly greeting.
Becky, the division of Student Affairs appreciates your outstanding representation!
Do you have a staff person who should be recognized for the calibre of their commitment to our university community? If so, let me know (kellymoor@isu.edu), and I’ll help you nominate them for a Be a Bengal award. Or you can go to the Be a Bengal webpage and submit a nomination there. The submission process is quick and user-friendly, and it’s such a great way to tell our staff and colleagues how much we appreciate them!
Be a Bengal Award Categories
Trust – Respect, Integrity, Honesty
Compassion – Caring, Friendship, Happiness, Empathy
Stability – Security, Strength, Support, Peace
Hope – Direction, Confidence, Guidance
