At the Penn State State Educational Office Professionals (PSEOP) spring reception, held May 11 on the University Park campus, two staff members were honored for their exceptional, meritorious service in the areas of professionalism, initiative and leadership.
Christine Koleno was honored as the 2011 Outstanding Office Professional Award (OOPA) winner. Koleno has been a staff assistant in the University's Department of Public Information for the past 15 years. In addition to her regular duties, she has voluntarily expanded her editorial knowledge and is now one of two individuals responsible for editing around 200 stories and publishing them on more than 30 newswires each week. She also is a key individual in charge of the daily Issues Update packet distributed to Penn State President Graham Spanier and University administrators each weekday morning. She also took it upon herself to attend photography workshops and, when Public Information's event photographer is unavailable, she is one of three staff members to fill in. Since 1999, she has been heavily involved in organizing the University's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Katy Heltman, communications coordinator in the Office of Alumni Relations and Development in the College of the Liberal Arts, received an OOPA honorable mention. Heltman joined Liberal Arts in 1998 and has been in her present position since 2008. She serves as the university editor for the college, reviewing all recruitment and promotional printed materials from the departments. Additionally, she coordinates the production and distribution of the dean's alumni letters, is heavily involved in the college's alumni events, manages the college's website, and oversees both budgets and human resource duties for the department. She is a longtime member of the Dean's Staff Advisory Committee and coordinates the You Rock monthly college recognition program.
PSEOP is an organization dedicated to increasing the level of professionalism of Penn State's office personnel and staff through continuing development. Membership is open to all current and retired Penn State office employees at all locations. For more information on PSEOP, go to http://www.psu.edu/org/PSEOP/about.htm online.