Jeannie Patrick, director of the Office of Research Administration in the College of Education, has received the Outstanding Supervisor Award from Michigan State University.
The award honors MSU supervisors who have consistently demonstrated worklife sensitivity and support of the professional/personal needs of the employees in their unit. This year, there were 30 nominations and five awardees across campus.
Patrick was nominated for her exceptional leadership, support and care for her staff.
“Every day Jeannie demonstrates how to be highly effective in leading an office that is charged with the critically important work of supporting faculty in submitting research grants, while also being a caring and compassionate director,” College of Education Interim Dean Ann E. Austin wrote.
The MSU WorkLife Office presented and facilitated the start of the presentation to surprise Patrick with the award. People from the College of Education, Jeannie’s daughter and husband, and the entire ORA Team, who nominated her together were present during the surprise announcement.
“By recognizing outstanding supervisors, we are setting an example of “what makes a good supervisor.” This will serve as a model for others to illustrate what it means to be sensitive to worklife and family circumstances. These outstanding supervisor role models make a positive impact on managerial practices across campus!” The MSU WorkLife Office wrote.
What stands out about Patrick, many agree, is that she truly cares for her team and goes above and beyond. Most of her co-workers wrote in their nomination letters that they have never had a supervisor who cared so much about having a fulfilling life outside of work in addition to being successful with work.
According to co-workers who nominated Patrick, she demonstrates the true value of having a work-life balance and checking in every week with her employees to see how they are doing. Especially while she and her team continue to work remotely, she takes time to send weekly reminders to her staff to ensure they are taking care of themselves as they cannot just stop by each other’s offices and say hello in person.
Patrick has been director of the Office of Research Administration since 2018 and has been in the College of Education since 1998.
The Office of Research Administration supports and furthers the research interests and activities of the College of Education at Michigan State University. ORA actively seeks funding opportunities in areas of importance to the college, its faculty and doctoral students.
View the complete list of 2021 MSU Outstanding Supervisor Award Winners.