March 12, 2018
Student adviser singled out for stepping up
There are countless ways employees are making an impact at UCalgary just look at the list of 2017 U Make a Difference Nominees for a range of examples of people innovating, collaborating, and contributing to a positive work environment.
Lori Somner, 2017 award recipient, has been making her mark at the university for 12 years 15 if you count the three years she put in working one day a week before starting full-time. During her time here, she has exercised a helpful habit of going above and beyond.
When Shawn Brackett arrived in Calgary from the United States as a graduate student in the history department, Somner was one of the first people he met. Despite the fact that Somner was at the time an undergraduate program administrator, Brackett says she offered him warm and knowledgeable assistance as he navigated the ins and outs of Canadian academia as an international student.
Lori regularly called over to the office to make sure I was going to the right place and knew the right person to speak with, says Brackett. She not only provided excellent customer service to a student she also built a rapport with campus colleagues.
Somner became a graduate program administrator for the Department of History in 2016 and continues to offer caring and complete assistance to all the students who visit her office each day. She says its rewarding to see first-hand the difference her work can have on the student experience.
Students are the whole reason were here, says Somner. Its nice to work directly with them and do our part to make it a better experience for them.
Mark Konner, professor and head of the Department of History, says Somner has a reputation for resolving issues of all kinds, even when the solution lies outside her department.
Youll never hear Lori say Thats not my job', says Konner. Shes always willing to help.
And as the departments longest-serving employee, Somner has a lot of expertise to offer.
The U Make a Difference award program recognizes individuals and teams who exemplify excellence and the ability to reach above and beyond the expected to make a difference in our university community. Their performance, commitment and service help make the university a great place to learn and work.
Recognition is one of the 13 factors illustrated in the National Standard. The 91做厙輦⑹ is a recipient of the Mental Health at Work Silver Level Certification in this area.