Jayne Morris has been named the Employee of the Quarter at IUPUC for Q4, 2021. Since the beginning of 2016, IUPUC has recognized an employee every quarter for contributions made that go above and beyond regular work responsibilities.
Since joining IUPUC as an Admissions Counselor in February 2020, just weeks prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, she has consistently made efforts that go beyond what was required to make students feel at home on campus and within the IUPUC community.
“During this most recent recruitment cycle, Jayne went ‘above and beyond’ her normal work by continuing to assist students not just in getting admitted but in connecting them with placement testing, academic advising, orientation, and Early Start. We heard from many faculty and colleagues, and students too, that Jayne was very instrumental in connecting students to the faculty, staff, and resources they needed to make a successful transition to IUPUC for this fall semester.” said Scott McIntyre, Director of Enrollment Management.
When asked what gives her the drive to go to work every day, she responded with two words: “the students.”
“Sometimes you just talk with a student and you know you are opening a door for them. You are helping them reach a goal they never thought that they would be able to reach, and I think that is really true of the students at IUPUC. Every one of our students are truly unique. Many are a first-generation student, they have no help or support at home, and having somebody that will take time to listen to them; take them seriously, and help them understand that they can get where they want to go.”
Morris’s interest in education began when she started taking her children to pre-school. She was constantly asked to stay and help, which later prompted her to get certified due to how much of an impact she made. After working in elementary education for 8 years, then moving onto high school, she ended up educating adults in China before her time at IUPUC.
It was after working with adults in China to improve their English skills, and seeing the confidence it gave them as a result, Morris realized her future was in working with adults in higher education. After nearly three years at IUPUC, she still enjoys the variety of responsibility and challenges that her job brings. Morris’s colleagues have also been given a boost of motivation since her arrival at IUPUC.
“Jayne asked daily if there was anything Admissions could do to help. It was very refreshing to have this daily check-in and having this ‘go team’ attitude first thing each morning was the extra boost we often needed.” said Anna Carmon, Program Director of Communication Studies.
When asked how she felt about receiving the honor, Morris responded, “Surprised. Really humbled. I work with just amazing people, and I feel that the people I work with set a very high standard, and to be recognized by those peers is very humbling.”