Winners of Good Idea Initiative Announced

November 25, 2019 | UToday, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
By Staff



Nearly 150 submissions were received for the University’s Good Idea Initiative.

The new program awards and recognizes employees’ ideas that will make an impact in two categories: promoting student success through increasing graduation, retention or enrollment; and increased efficiency, process improvements or cost savings/avoidance.

The winning ideas were submitted by Dr. Timothy Fisher, professor and chair of environmental sciences, and Kathy Wilson, senior business manager in the Division of Student Affairs.

Fisher suggested having the Division of Enrollment Management and colleges coordinate to invite science, technology, engineering and math teachers from area high schools to visit campus during High School Professional Days.

“There would be a campus tour focused on the academic and experiential learning opportunities,” Fisher wrote. “The deans and college advising team would meet with the teachers, followed by department tours, which would include meeting with department advisors, seeing the labs, and talking with undergraduate students who are doing undergraduate research. Teachers also would receive some UToledo swag and brochures to take back to their classrooms to distribute to their students.”

Wilson proposed an intensive training session, or boot camp, for business managers and administrative professionals who work on budgets and finance and human resource issues.

“This boot camp training would replace the current paradigm where employees either learn on the job or through trial and error,” Wilson wrote. “The training would be intensive and detailed, and would be provided by on-campus experts, like those within the Controller’s Office, Finance and Strategy, Human Resources, and Purchasing. Training would lead to more efficiency going forward and additional opportunity to focus on the overall financial health of the division, college or department. It also would allow business managers to become better administrative partners in assisting deans and vice presidents to align existing resources with the University’s strategic plan.”

“We received so many thoughtful suggestions on ways to make UToledo more student-centered and more resourceful,” President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Thank you to all the employees who took the time to participate in the Good Idea Initiative. We are lucky to have such passionate, dedicated faculty and staff.”

The Good Idea Initiative will open again in March.

The winners of the inaugural round of the program had the option of taking a small stipend or a catered lunch for up to nine co-workers.

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