LaShanda Owens has been named employee of the third quarter by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Owens, manager on the professional and workforce development team at the Global Campus facility in Bentonville, was nominated for her efforts at making the Bentonville team shine.

"Being nominated by my colleagues at Global Campus is an honor," Owens said. "I can't say enough good things about this group of people. I am proud to have been nominated by the team."

Owens' work for professional and workforce development primarily involves the overall daily running of the facility, which includes supervising staff members. In addition, she organizes and assists with special projects that utilize the Bentonville Global Campus facility. These include events sponsored by various chambers of commerce; area focus groups; small business start-ups; retreats, meetings, and events organized by local leaders of industry.

"LaShanda asks the hard questions to try to find the best answers," Owens' co-workers said in their nominations. "If she sees something that needs to be addressed, I have confidence that she will put forth the effort to see that it gets addressed, even if she has to do it herself. She is a true 'team player' who focuses on making the Bentonville team stronger, more organized, and more structured. I am proud to know and work with someone so dedicated to helping Global Campus thrive."

Tara Dryer, senior managing director for professional and workforce development, has served as Owens' immediate supervisor since Owens joined the team in January 2023.

"LaShanda exemplifies dedication and is willing to be a team player in her role, making her the well-deserved recipient of the Employee of the Quarter award," Dryer said.

Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus, recognized Owens as the employee of the quarter at the April staff meeting.

"Every single one of you do amazing work every day," Murphy said. "For this quarter, LaShanda stands as a shining representative for all Global Campus staff, exemplifying strength and dedication and recognizing the lengths to which she will go to get the job done."

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. The four quarterly awardees may then be eligible to become the Global Campus Employee of the Year.

Other third quarter nominees include:

• Amalie Holland, instructional designer, Instructional Design & Support Services
• Katie Ricardo, program coordinator, Professional and Workforce Development
• Noel Sharif, data analyst, Recruitment and Student Outreach
• Christina Smith, administrative analyst for Recruitment and Student Services

The Global Campus supports the 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.