Colleen Whitman has been named employee of the fourth quarter by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

The coworkers who nominated Whitman, the Digital Outreach Coordinator for Global Campus, praised her for her tremendous work during the fourth quarter to develop a self-paced online course enrollment form in Slate for the Credit Studies team. The form allows students in self-paced online classes to be added to the Slate system, which is used by many schools and organizations to support and promote data retention and streamline the admissions process.

"There were several challenges, including the need to collect sensitive information," her colleagues said in her nomination.  "The road was a little bumpy at times, but Colleen was absolutely determined to find a solution that would work well for all involved.

"She took the time to thoroughly understand the needs of the Credit Studies team, diving deep into the weeds to understand the team's workflow and other internal processes," the co-worker said. "The enrollment request process is now easier and infinitely more efficient thanks to Colleen's admirable work, which is good for both Global Campus and U of A."

Colleen was praised for her continuing assistance with the process upgrade.

"She's been there for the Credit Studies team every step of the way, making the inevitably stressful transition from one system to another remarkably smooth and delightfully uneventful," the co-worker said.

Whitman first joined Global Campus in 2002. She currently supports online students going through the application process and helps the U of A track students and prospective students. She supervises the Online Student Liaison Office and helps manage Slate for Global Campus.

"I'm grateful that I was able to help," Whitman said. "Slate brought us significantly closer in working with both admissions offices and in admissions data gathering. Before we had a loose idea of the number of prospective students we had. Now we can tell you the number, where they are in the application process, and the last time anyone at the UA contacted them.

"I belong to a wonderful supportive team," Whitman said. "Everyone does their very best to help students in their online programs."

"We were delighted to see Colleen's great work nominated for this recognition by her peers," Patty Milner, assistant vice provost for student outreach and Innovation and Whitman's supervisor, said. "Colleen's commitment to customer service and student success set an amazing standard for everyone around her. She is constantly looking for ways to move our work forward to better serve students."

Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education, recognized Whitman as the employee of the quarter at the July staff meeting conducted online.

"Colleen is a treasure," Murphy said. "She has many skills, but one of her finest is her ability to understand the needs of prospective students and help meet those needs. Helping students is a top priority."

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.

Fourth quarter nominees were Whitman, Mark Berkowick, Aileen George and Andy Stroman.

The Global Campus supports 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.