Cengeri Named KU Employee of the Month for July 2024
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Congratulations to Jeann Cengeri, clerical assistant, Career Development Center, on being named Kutztown University Employee of the Month for July 2024.
Cengeri was nominated by three members of the Career Development Center staff and can be read below.
Kerri Gardi, director, Career Development Center
“Jeann Cengeri is a critical member of the career development team and does an impressive job of serving as the Career Center's clerical assistant (office manager). Her welcoming and professional demeanor results in superior customer service not only to students, but to the university's employer partners, faculty, staff and parents/families.
Jeann has graciously and enthusiastically accepted coordination of the university's fairly new (five years) Career Closet, which offers professional clothing for students. This is a unique resource and service that not all universities provide their students. Jeann has gone above and beyond to build the professional clothing selections through donations from employees, alumni and community members. She also takes time to maintain an accurate inventory so needed items can be purchased to help more students present themselves in a professional manner to prospective employers (or for KU's numerous social events requiring some elevated dress).
She works hard to maintain a wide and deep selection of professional attire and has offered numerous opportunities for students to make appointments to visit the career closet – sometimes when it's an emergency on their part and not the best time for her (even the mornings of our career fairs to allow students' last-minute 'clothing emergencies' to be met). This is no small task and while everyone in the career center assists with this service, Jeann handles the majority of the work. For example, last year, 724 clothing items went out to students and the career center had the highest number of student visits of 298 (compared to 168 the year prior); Jeann took 293 of these student appointments.
Each day at KU, she is supporting Strategic Goal #2 Student Success and Goal #4 Caring Campus Community and we wish for her to be recognized for her dedication to the mission of the university and its wonderful students.”
Jenelle Henry, assistant director, Career Development Center
“Jeann (otherwise known as Jeannie-Beannie around our office) is a kind-hearted individual who cares for each student who walks through our doors. She is attentive to each student's situation and helps students find what they need – even if it’s not within our office. Her empathetic nature allows her to "see" when students are having a difficult time, and she is able to speak with them and give advice as to what Kutztown can offer then.”
Chad Ganley, assistant director, Career Development Center
“As the office manager in the Career Development Center, Jeann consistently demonstrates dedication to both her work and the team. She can always be counted on to handle any task with care and professionalism, and her commitment to the Career Development Center makes her an excellent candidate for this recognition.
With more than 60 planned events and workshops each semester, Jeann is my go-to person for managing the details of many events. She is instrumental in planning major events such as our career fairs and annual golf outing, ensuring everything runs smoothly and on time. Her ability to stay organized and proactive is invaluable.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Jeann goes out of her way to contribute to the office culture. Her baking skills are a much-appreciated way in which she brings the team together.
Jeann’s hard work, reliability and positive attitude make her truly deserving of this recognition.”
Nominations are collected from students, faculty and staff, and the Employee of the Month is selected by the Human Resources Advisory Council. A winner will be selected each month, and out of the 12 monthly winners one will be selected as Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Month will receive a plaque, reserved parking and a $100 monetary gift sponsored by President Hawkinson.
For more information on the award or to nominate someone, please visit the KU human resources website.