University of Memphis departments racked up awards Tuesday morning as the Greater Memphis Association for Quality (GMAQ) announced the latest winners.
Based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the non-profit GMAQ promotes excellence through self-evaluation. Evaluations are based on criteria from the Baldrige award, which was established by Congress in 1987.
U of M departments and organizations received awards in three categories this year. The Level I quality commitment award was given to mail services, the bursar's office, the purchasing department and the department of engineering technology. This first level award recognizes the adoption and implementation of improved practices and principles in the workplace.
"This was our first year to apply for the award," said Carol Warren, assistant bursar at The U of M. "It's very rewarding because this was our first attempt at applying for a GMAQ award."
Warren said her department would continue to work towards and apply for higher-level awards.
"In this Level I self-assessment, you identify both strengths and weaknesses," she said. "We were able to identify a lot of strengths that we'll continue to work on."
The GMAQ gave its Level II award to The U of M office of campus planning and design, Tiger Copy and Graphics and the human resources department. This quality progress award shows "serious commitment to excellence and an effective process for continuous improvement," according to GMAQ awards descriptions.
Describing the fervor with which departments and organizations within The University of Memphis structure have embraced the Greater Memphis Association for Quality, executive director Jennifer McNary said, "There is an increased awareness about quality that catches on."
Both president Shirley Raines and vice president of business and finance Charles Lee have been champions of this process, McNary said.
"They want to send the message that quality is important at The University of Memphis," she said.
McNary said the process includes much more than just an application.
"There is an independent review of the applications," she said. "Then a panel verifies and clarifies information during a site visit to each applicant."
The feedback given to applicants is of primary importance to many participants.
"The feedback from this independent report can be integrated into an organization's daily programs and processes," McNary said.
In addition to the first two awards, groups who have successfully moved through the initial awards continue to strive for excellence in their departments.
Two organizations at The U of M received the Level III quality leadership award that recognizes the highest levels of excellence through superior practices and results.
The U of M Campus School and department of business and finance technology both received the Level III quality award Tuesday.
"The GMAQ forces a real close reflection and look at your organization," said Susan Copeland, director of The U of M Campus School, which was recognized Tuesday. "You also take a close look at the impact of your work on the clients you are serving, which in our case are children."
Receiving the Level III award is a great accomplishment for all of the faculty and staff at the Campus School, she said.
"They are the best at what they do, and I'm really proud of all their work here," Copeland said.
Application for the GMAQ awards was unique for the campus school when they started the process a couple of years ago, since they are an academic unit.
Their introduction to the quality assessment based on Baldrige criteria came from a fellow U of M employee who was very familiar with the process.
Jim Hellums, assistant vice president of the physical plant, mentioned the program to Copeland several years ago.
"His children go to school here," Copeland said. "He told me about GMAQ and encouraged our organization to stand up to that type of scrutiny."
The U of M physical plant received GMAQ's highest honor, the Pyramid of Excellence, in 2004.
Copeland said, in their first year, the Campus School applied for a Level I award as an academic unit within a business entity.
Applications have since been changed to account for academic organizations.
"I know there are academic departments here on campus doing work worthy of this evaluation and recognition process," Copeland said. "I'd encourage any of them to get involved."
Copeland said the evaluation and application process is time consuming.
"You have to be told what you are doing wrong before you can fix problems," she said. "And start doing what is right."
