HR Newsletter – June 2020
ULTIPRO
What Is UltiPro?
Dear Colleagues:
Have you heard about UltiPro? What is UltiPro?
UltiPro is a complete cloud-hosted human capital management (HCM) system that will allow OCCC to more efficiently facilitate all core HR and payroll functions. This software initiative will not only make HR more effective, efficient, and responsive; it will provide employees with intuitive and immediate mobile-ready access to their personal leave and benefit information.
Through UltiPro’s Learning and Performance Management Modules, OCCC will identify, monitor and assist those employees who aspire to develop and grow professionally. Further, UltiPro will improve our employee Recruiting and new employee Onboarding processes, by ensuring a better applicant experience, and reducing our time to hire, both of which are critical in this very competitive market for quality employees.
Stay tuned for more information as we near our launch date. Here is a short video introduction to UltiPro: https://youtu.be/2Tm2NrxVrFU?list=PL7ZV16I0OmOhsI_IpfMH7nwl-9v9CECe4
Employee Assistance Program
Oklahoma City Community College provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no charge to employees and their dependents. The EAP is administered by OneLife and is a service designed to help you manage life’s challenges or a place to turn when personal problems seem overwhelming or too complicated to solve. The EAP can deliver much needed, confidential help through its team of professional Counselors trained to solve or help you cope with a wide variety of short-term problems.
The OneLife counseling service is completely confidential and the decision to use the service is yours. You and your dependents are eligible for up to six (6) FREE visits per issue – per calendar year. You or your family member may call the EAP service to arrange an appointment at any time.
To contact OneLife, OCCC's Employee Assistance Program, for information, inquiries or support call 405-840-0231 or 1-800-559-9544 or email onelife@plexusgroupe.com
Who's Who at OCCC
Samantha Olah
Samantha Olah, Bursar, newly hired in April. Most recently I was an Accountant at OSLA, but before that, I was the Director of Student Billing at Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Oklahoma. I received my Business Management Degree from the University of South Florida & my M.B.A. from University of Alaska, Anchorage.
What do you love about working at OCCC? I’ve only been here for a couple of months, and most of that was remotely working from home, BUT I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people that I’m working with. Everyone has been very welcoming!
How do your daily duties directly impact OCCC’s faculty, students & staff (what are your duties)? I am responsible for planning, directing, and implementing systems to effectively bill, collect, and safeguard institutional funds. I feel like it is our job in the Bursar’s Office to work together and help students succeed while teaching them about financial literacy that they can carry forward with them into their future.
What advice would you give someone who is new to the Higher Ed industry and/or OCCC? I absolutely love working in Higher Ed. There is just something about helping students succeed, which makes the job so much more enjoyable. I would tell anyone who is new to Higher Ed to enjoy it and never forget why we are all here….to help students!
What do you find most challenging about working in Higher Education? Specifically related to my job, it is hard to be the bearer of bad news. When students have outstanding balances and want to enroll or get a transcript, we have to say no. It is especially hard when the goal of the institution is to increase enrollment, and we have to enforce rules to prevent someone from enrolling. It is always in the best interest of the student, but that is the toughest part of what we do in the Bursar Office.
What inspires you? My daughter. She is the reason that I strive to be the best version of myself. I want to set a strong example for her to know that almost anything is possible if you work hard, continually educate yourself, and are passionate about what you do.
What are your hobbies or interests? Outside of work, I enjoy CrossFit and artisan bread baking at home.
Retiree Corner
Congratulations to the following retirees!
Ms. Shelia La Ferney, Textbook Manager at the Bookstore, is retiring June 30.
Dr. Janet Perry, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, is retiring June 30.
Dr. Janet C. Perry has worked in higher education for 37 years but has called OCCC her home for the last 15 years. Dr. Perry’s retirement plans include a few short trips then a reduction of the “stuff” in their house by ½ and a move to Florida to be with her siblings. “Thank you everyone for working with me to accomplish your needs. I have learned so much from each of you. You will be greatly missed.” Dr. Perry
Ms. Brenda Reinke, Bookstore Director, is retiring June 30.
Thank you for your outstanding commitment!
We wish all of you the very best.
Peer-to-Peer Praise
Shima Desai
Shima Desai is always willing to lend a helping hand whenever assistance is needed. Shima regularly provides guidance on budget and report related questions, among other tasks, without hesitation. Thank you for being willing to be the “go-to” in a moment’s notice, and always displaying positivity, flexibility, and competency.
Shima M. Desai is a Finance & Budget Analyst who has contributed to the success of OCCC for more than 7 years.
EVENTS
June 29
Family & Community Education Center (FACE) re-open
July 3
College Closed - Independence Day
July 6
Capitol Hill Center re-open
Benefits
AIG Retirement Services
Want more ways to help you make informed decisions about your financial future? Check out the weekly Market Commentary from John Packs, Senior Investment Officer for AIG Retirement Services.
Career Spotlight
Do you know someone who would be a great addition to the OCCC team? Ready for a change yourself? OCCC is now hiring for the following positions:
OCCC is seeking a Part-Time Bookstore Financial Assistant.
The job function of the Bookstore Financial Associate is to perform all clerical financial duties of the Bookstore under the direction of the Director of the Bookstore. Some of those duties include working with the Bursar and Financial Aid Office to set up authorized accounts for student book and supply charges. Reconcile and submit billing for campus department charges, process and voucher invoices for payment, prepare Bookstore requisitions and blanket purchase orders, and more.
OCCC is seeking an Adjunct Professor of Journalism and Broadcasting.
An adjunct faculty member is primarily responsible for supporting student learning by providing quality instruction in courses that the adjunct faculty member and the dean/director agree will be taught. Quality instruction includes clear course objectives, prepared and relevant class activities, effective and understandable presentations of learning materials, fair and understandable grading practices (credit classes only), timely responses to students, and a positive atmosphere in the classroom.
Tech Tips
Use the Space Bar to Scroll Up and Down a Page
Did you know that your space bar can be used to scroll your webpage? Using a scroll bar -- or worse, arrow keys -- to move up and down a web page is tedious. So why not move up and down a page more quickly using the space bar? Tapping on the space bar on a web page will allow you to quickly scroll down. If you want to go back up, hold Shift while you tap the space bar.
Achievements
Jon McHenry
Lets hear it for Dr. McHenry! He earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from Walden University in May!
Maura Aponte
Lets hear it for Maura! She earned her Associate Degree in Arts from OCCC in May!
Did You Know?
Under College Policy No. 2202, Employees are allowed to make an annual election to transfer up to 3 days of Personal Leave to Sick Leave.
This is beneficial because employees who retire from OTRS with 960 hours (or 120 days) of accrued Sick Leave will earn a year of OTRS service credit.
If you wish to make this election, please complete the Transfer Leave Form and submit to Jeff Sughru on or before June 26, 2020.
Voting Leave
Oklahoma City Community College grants Eligible Employees time off for voting in state, local and national elections, pursuant to Oklahoma law and the following procedures. For more information, refer to College Policy No. 2208
Quote of the Month
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
- Nelson Mandela
