Each year, George Mason University Human Resources and Payroll recognizes particular employees for significant achievements made for the betterment of the university. These individuals’ actions exemplify Mason’s values, and the Outstanding Achievement Awards denote long-term accomplishments that signify meaningful benefits to the university, a school, or a department.
Jill Bowen, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum and space manager, is a 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award.
“This was quite surprise,” she said. “I am very appreciative of this recognition and am fortunate to work with such supportive colleagues within CHSS and the Mason community.”
The announcement, however, was not a surprise to Bowen’s colleagues in CHSS. They submitted her nomination and spoke of her expertise in managing the curriculum throughout the college’s ten departments and six interdisciplinary programs, her knowledge of the college's equipment and space requirements, and her calm and diplomatic manner in carrying out the work of the dean’s office.
In her nomination letter, Dean Ann Ardis emphasized, in particular, “Jill’s outstanding efforts this past year to support CHSS faculty and staff of this college through our short-notice pivot to 100% telework and remote instruction last spring, our safe return to campus planning, and the move of more than a dozen CHSS units into Horizon Hall this spring.”
Bowen was an integral part of the planning behind the construction and the move to Horizon Hall, from the project’s inception, said Jenna McGwin, the college’s associate director of operations and initiatives. “Jill has attended well over 100 meetings (yes, I counted!) with various constituencies, including Mason Facilities, central administration, and the college’s faculty and staff,” said McGwin. “Her attention to detail and recollection of summative information and decisions made during the planning and move-in phases of the building are astounding. As the planning for the move-in increased over the past two years, Jill was called upon on several occasions to quickly draft multiple move-in planning scenarios, which were reviewed in meetings with our college’s chairs/directors, office managers, as well as our ad hoc faculty committee.”
In interactions related to Horizon and beyond, colleagues noted Bowen’s professionalism and dedication. “She interfaces with the faculty and staff within the college in a very calm, professional, and data-informed manner and is known for working to come up with the best solution in complicated and time-sensitive situations,” said Michele Schwietz, CHSS associate dean for research.
Kimberly Dight, CHSS executive director for HR and finance, agreed. “Whether it is managing the college degree celebrations, course catalog, equipment, or office moves, Jill does all with efficiency and grace,” she said. “Jill is a pleasure to work with and an incredible asset to both the college and the university.”
Faculty and staff celebrated Bowen’s achievement through the virtual Outstanding Achievement Award ceremony held on April 13 and covered live on GMUTV.
Said Dean Ardis, “Jill’s work ethic and effort throughout this past year are excellent examples of her ‘go the extra mile for the team’ attitude and effort in extraordinary circumstances. But the truth of the matter is that this is how Jill approaches her job under normal circumstances as well.”
April 13, 2021
