Michael McAllister, center, accepts the Global Campus Employee of the Quarter award from Cheryl Murphy, Vice Provost for Distance Education and Head of Global Campus (left), and Jamie Loftin, Associate Vice Provost at the administration of distance education (right).
Michael McAllister has been named employee of the third quarter by the U of A Global Campus.
McAllister, Workforce Development Coordinator, is part of the Professional and Workforce Development team at the Global Campus offices in Bentonville. He was nominated for his leadership skills and strong sense of professionalism in his work with Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project. This project provides funding to eligible individuals to complete online training at no cost to meet workforce needs across the state.
“It’s very humbling to be nominated for this award,” McAllister said. “It’s easy to see the exceptional work of staff members who contribute to Global Campus teams, so being recognized for my contributions by my peers means a lot.
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the contributions of my fellow Project Reimagine team members,” said McAllister, adding, “In addition, the unwavering support of my wife Claire Allison has been a critical factor in my success. in my role.”
Members of the project team include grant specialists Kerry Garcia and Colin Doege, instructional designers Mandy Eppley and Manoel Franco, project coordinator Erin Dickey, and support staff Sheila Bowerman and Austin Conley.
For her part, McAllister helped create the Reimagine online application form, coordinates participant communications, and develops tools to track applications and registrations. It also assists with grant reporting for this federally funded program.
Colleagues who nominated McAllister praised him for being a kind and helpful team player whose positive and dynamic attitude supports his colleagues, his team and the university’s mission.
“He is an active listener and quickly shares resources without being asked to do so,” his colleagues said. “He’s always willing to volunteer his time to explain a new concept, show a shortcut, or create a new process that will make our job easier.”
Tara Dryer, Senior Managing Director of Professional Development and Workforce, is McAllister’s immediate supervisor.
“Michael has had a direct impact on the Arkansas workforce through his contributions to the Reimagine Grant,” said Dryer. “He helped build the infrastructure and processes necessary for the success of the program.”
Cheryl Murphy, vice provost for distance education and head of the Global Campus, recognized McAllister as the employee of the quarter during a staff meeting in April.
“Michael demonstrates impeccable professionalism and leadership, and is an excellent team player,” Murphy said. “We were fortunate to have him on the Reimagine team as they laid the groundwork for this very successful grantmaking project.”
McAllister joined the U of A in 2011 in college housing. Five years later, he was appointed deputy director of the Office of Student Activities. Following an opportunity outside of college, McAllister started working for the Global Campus in March 2021.
The Global Campus awards Employee of the Quarter to recognize outstanding achievement and achievement related to unit goals and the U of A’s mission. The recipient receives a commemorative certificate and a monetary award. The four quarterly winners may then be eligible to become the Global Campus Employee of the Year.
Other third quarter nominees include:
- Caroline Chandler, web designer/graphic designer, marketing and communications
- John Hickey, Instructional Designer, Instructional Design and Student Support
- Abi Moser, Blackboard Support Specialist, Blackboard Support
- Noel Sharif, Project/Program Manager and Data Analyst, Student Recruitment and Outreach
- Jaime Ashmore Tucker, Senior Recruiter for Online Programs, Student Recruitment and Outreach
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $13,579,455.83 to the Arkansas Workforce Development Council and Arkansas Workforce Services Division to fund the Reimagine Arkansas Workforce project. The goal is to have 2,000 participants enrolled by the end of the three-year grant period in September 2023. This coordinated statewide effort is intended to benefit the Arkansans who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Project partners include state agencies, U of A Global Campus Professional and Workforce Development, Shorter College, and iDatafy LLC.
The Global Campus’ role in Project Reimagine is to develop and deliver short-term online training programs for in-demand professions. Successful completion of these training programs can help Arkansans join or thrive in the workplace in the age of the pandemic. Those encouraged to apply are unemployed, underemployed, new to the job market and/or have no work history, are part of an underrepresented population, receive public assistance, reside in rural areas, are veterans, are spouses of veterans, are homeless, are 55 years of age or older, have ever been incarcerated, have been released on parole, or are on probation.
The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online degree programs and courses, self-paced online courses, and workforce development programs. work. 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 WE Manning Memorial Scholarship, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students studying in online degree programs.
