Meet Shelley Barton, September 2019 Classified Employee of the Month

The purpose of the Non-bargaining Classified Employee of the Month award is to acknowledge and recognize those who are setting the standards for excellence and innovation at Ohio University.

This recognition is Classified Senate’s way of awarding those employees who have shown outstanding individual achievement and performance of their jobs, while inspiring and supporting the achievement of others.

The September 2019 recipient is Shelley Barton. She was nominated by Randell Price. Here is a sampling of what he wrote in the nomination form.

Shelley moved into her current position in October 2018 and began to make an impact immediately. She is the face of the Undergraduate Student Affairs office and always greets students and visitors with a warm smile. She quickly learned to triage student concerns so that she could direct them to the most appropriate person or resource on campus. She supervises our student employees and has created a student employee handbook that outlines expectations and work behavior. Her creativity is exemplified in her work in the creation of an Advising Syllabus and Viewbook to be used in Admissions recruiting events.

Shelley has taken on the responsibility of budget management for Undergraduate Student Affairs. She monitors the budget, submits all reports to Concur and Bobcat Buy, and works directly with our financial offices to monitor spending. She has completed several certificates and badges offered through Human Resources. She was integral in the design and layout of the Advising Syllabus used during BSO. She has helped streamline the communications sent from our office by creating a folder system and file.

She completed her bachelor's degree while working full time and sets the standard for pursuing excellence in her work environment and work relationships.

How surprised were you to win the Employee of the Month award?

Very surprised! My supervisor and nominator, Randy Price, scheduled a meeting, and I prepared for the meeting. It took me a few minutes to realize it was a guise to make me available for the Employee of the Month presentation. I’m going to have trust issues now.

What is your job title and how long have you worked it?

I’m the administrative specialist for the College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Student Affairs. I’ve been in this position for one year and have worked for Ohio University for 18 years, 5 months, 21 days, and two hours, but who’s counting?

What are the most enjoyable things about your job?

The coffee. I bring my own, but I really enjoy it. Oh, and the staff, Work Study students and the students we serve. They’re pretty awesome, too.

What is your hometown and where do you live now?

Coolville, and still Coolville. Yes, it’s really cool, that’s why I live there.

What was the last good book you read?

Probably something inappropriate. I’ve read everything by Karen Marie Moning. Don’t look her up or read her books. You will not think well of me.

If you weren’t in your present job, you would be ___?

Retired! Traveling, sleeping in, coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. I’ve never really thought about it.

What things in life are the most important to you?

Family. My 4-year-old granddaughter. Coffee.

Where is your favorite vacation destination?

The beach, the Gulf preferred, but "water is water." Here in Ohio it comes from the sky mostly. I guess I’ll take back the whole “water is water” comment.

What are your hobbies?

Granddaughter, gym, spending time with the hubs. In that order (not really, the gym comes first). No seriously … yeah the gym. Thankfully the hubs has a great sense of humor.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

Have you seen my Facebook page? There’s nothing unknown about me.

What are your favorite TV shows?

Peaky Blinders! Come on people! Season 5 premiered Oct. 4 on Netflix. Watch it!

Who are your favorite musicians?

I don’t have favorite musicians, but I like music I can dance to. I don’t dance, but if I did, that’s the kind of music I like. I’m old school and grew up listening to Prince, then as a mom I enjoyed Nelly, now as a senior citizen, I enjoy Bruno Mars.

What is the next big event you can't wait for? 

Trying to plan a 30th wedding anniversary trip on an Alaskan cruise next year. Email me if you’d like to contribute to my GoFundMe account.

What is your dream car/truck/SUV?

I just saw the new Chevy Blazer last week. I want that. I have a GoFundMe account.

What is your favorite saying?

Is it on sale?