In fall 2012, three parties came together to create the U Make a Difference campaign. The campaign recognizes staff for the help they give to students, and helps students see what the staff does for UMD. Student Life started the campaign to get their workers more connected to their strategic plan.
Student Life’s mission is to engage “students in intellectual, emotional, cultural and physical development that enriches their lives, fosters their success and prepares them for the future.” Vice Chancellor of Student Life, Lisa Erwin, knew that to get everyone to support the mission, Student Life had to show its staff that they mattered.
Student Life assembled a team consisting of Jessi Eaton of the Kirby Student Center, Tim Chambers of UMD Housing, and Susan Nordin of UMD Health Services to create a cross-functional approach of involving staff. What they came up with was the U Make a Difference campaign.
“The program was designed for Student Life professional staff to be able to acknowledge accomplishments or service from their fellow staff members,” said Eaton.
The appreciation is given in the form of a card. These cards are filled out and given to staff members. IIIn Student Life, anyone can write one, and anyone can get one.
“It feels even better to write one than it does to get one,” Erwin said.
Student Life staff member Laura Haffield feels appreciated when she receives a U Make a Difference card.
“It’s a wonderful program because it makes people more conscientious of what they do and more obliged to come to work,” Haffield said.
She hands out cards to those who go above and beyond expectations and help her out in her work life.
“It feels really good to get one,” said Laura Young, Kirby Student Center staff. “It feels good because someone out there took the time to notice you.”
So far, Student Life is the only office that participates in the U Make a Difference campaign. Erwin, along with the rest of Student Life, would like to keep the cards going. They would also love to see campaigns like U Make a Difference take off in other departments.
With the message that we all have a role to play in helping students and the campus be successful, the U Make a Difference campaign connects students, staff and faculty together to accomplish a greater goal, and get noticed for the hard work and effort.
Erwin noted that there are cards available at the front desk in Student Life to pick up and pass out. If you see a staff member in the act of helping a student or making this campus a better place for everyone, tell them they make a difference.
BY JESSICA NOOR
noor0037@d.umn.edu