For her efforts in building relationships and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment within the University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH), Rebecca Cameron recently was honored with the (Linda Williams) Unsung Hero award.
The Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in their roles, often behind the scenes, to make significant contributions to CPH.
In nominating Rebecca for this award, her nominator said, “Rebecca makes sure everyone is included and tries to speak with everyone and strengthen those relationships.”
Rebecca has been with CPH for more than two years as an administrative assistant for the Department of Biostatistics.
Transitioning from an industry where interactions were limited, Rebecca has found a supportive and collaborative environment at the college. She now feels comfortable learning from her mistakes and has developed close relationships with her coworkers.
"Receiving this award means a lot to me,” Rebecca said of winning the Unsung Hero award. “This award represents everything I try to stand for. I love building relationships with everyone and being everyone’s friend.
“We spend more time getting ready for work and at work than with our family,” she continued. “Why not try to build relationships with each other to make it more enjoyable regardless of someone’s position in a department or college? We’re all humans in the same environment with each other."
As part of her strategy to build relationships within the department, Rebecca sought to bridge the gap between staff and faculty through thoughtful initiatives and inclusive strategies. She organizes monthly department outings where both faculty and staff could enjoy lunch together, fostering a relaxed atmosphere outside of work hours.
At recent department retreats, Rebecca implemented strategies to ensure inclusivity and engagement. She arranged seating in pods that encouraged face-to-face interaction among participants, facilitating meaningful conversations. Additionally, Rebecca introduced "lightning talks," allowing individuals to share personal stories and interests, which further strengthened bonds within the department.
Her experiences have shaped her current approach that emphasizes inclusivity. Rebecca strives to make the work environment comfortable and stress-free.
"No one likes to be left out,” she said. “And you never know what people deal with outside of work. I hope to make our faculty and staff’s work environment comfortable rather than add another stress factor."
Rebecca emphasizes the importance of being a smiling face and a bridge between people, encouraging colleagues to be approachable and friendly in their interactions.
She also advocates for stepping out of comfort zones to initiate conversations.
"I find immense joy in building relationships with my colleagues,” Rebecca said. “It's about creating a space where we can support each other and make work enjoyable. These connections are what make our department feel like a family."
