Augusta State received the Bronze Award for 2009 Institution of the Year in the Chancellor’s Customer Service Awards competition for the University System of Georgia. ASU was presented the award in a ceremony held in the Georgia Board of Regents’ board room on Sept. 15.
“This is a wonderful and well-deserved recognition for all the great work of ASU faculty and staff in providing superior customer service and team work. While we didn’t win the gold, being recognized in the top three out of 35 institutions is an excellent accomplishment and communicates to others our focus on service and continuous improvement in all that we do. I want to particularly note the work of Walt Alexanderson, ASU’s Customer Service Champion,” says Dan Whitfield, vice president for business operations. Mr. Alexanderson was also named a finalist for the Customer Service Champion award.
Mr. Whitfield submitted the nomination for Institution of the Year based on four areas that Augusta State focused on in fiscal year 2009. The four areas included Lean Six Sigma Jaguar Blue Belt Training in which more than 300 employees and students completed the class and received their Jaguar Blue Belts; an improved student employment program making customer service faster, friendlier, and easier; a Creating a Culture of Service Excellence video training program offered to both students and employees; and the creation of a Customer Service Ambassadors program to represent academics, student services, and operations.
“ASU has been in the forefront of the customer service initiative within the University System. We have submitted some excellent nominations for individual and team recognition that I felt were worthy of the gold, silver, or bronze awards. While we previously had not medaled, some great work has been done, and we will continue that effort with our eyes on the gold in 2010,” says Mr. Whitfield.
Originated by Governor Sonny Perdue, the Customer Service Awards are presented to agencies or institutions that have shown the highest commitment, the highest performance levels, and the most improvement in customer service across the organization over the last year. Consideration for the awards is based on participation in programs and initiatives that result in customer service improvements, performance measurements, and achievements as reported in agency Customer Service Improvement Plans or other reports. A nominee’s actions must reflect all five of the customer service attributes: Responsive, Process Agent, Implementor, Technology Enhancer, and Knowledgeable.
Recipients of the University System awards received special recognition from Chancellor Davis. The finalists are then nominated for the Team Georgia Governor’s Recognition for Excellence in Customer Service Awards.
Sep 30, 2009
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