We are glad and grateful to announce that Patrick Schmitz, Associate Director of Research IT, has received an Excellence in Management Award from the Berkeley Staff Assembly (BSA), on behalf of his staff who nominated him for this year’s award.
These awards have been given by staff to staff for 29 years. This year’s EIM theme is “Art of Mindful Gardening”, recognizing supervisors and managers who are supporting the efforts of their staff to live by the Berkeley Operating Principle “We include and excel, together,” to foster professional development and inspire staff to excel in one or more of the following ways:
- Practicing gratitude as positive reinforcement
- Cultivating resilience in their team
- Nurturing professional growth in their team
The nomination letter submitted by Patrick’s staff includes this excerpt, describing his qualification as a ‘mindful gardener’:
“Patrick is mindful, resilient, excited, and supportive. Every week, he meets individually with each person and asks questions instead of jumping to conclusions. Patrick successfully advocates for all staff and encourages them to step into leadership roles within their own professional communities.”
Patrick and his staff joined other BSA Recipients of the award who were recognized at a campus-wide event held in the historic Anna Head Alumnae Hall. The awards were presented to recipients by Jo Mackness, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, and the Excellence in Management Committee: Camille Fernandez, Elizabeth Geno, Susie Hill, Maria Kies, Jeanette Robinson.
If you work for a manager who advocates for and encourages you, then consider nominating that individual for a future Excellence in Management Award as a way to express your appreciation.
And if you happen to run into Patrick, we invite you to congratulate him on his award, as well as thank him in your own way for the positive impact he’s made on our campus that extends beyond our own group.