Employee Spotlight 2022
December
Noah Bieker
Virginia Beach, VA
Applications Analyst
8 months of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? Working at Radford has given me the opportunity to express my skills to others, and it has granted me a plethora of valuable learning experiences and benefits.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I want to have a greenhouse full of exotic carnivorous plants. I find carnivorous plants to be really fascinating and very handy. Having a constant stock would prevent the ones in my room from filling up.
What do you do for fun? I really enjoy the hobby of constructing MALs (Model Aeronautical Locomotives). The process involves constructing and testing a series of train locomotive models using numerous bladed motors. The biggest hurdle to cross is overcoming the weight of the train, batteries, and the dozens of motors. It helps me focus, and I have made strides in progress over the last few years, and it helps me express the skills I have learned in university.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? My step uncle, Aliksandr. I used to visit his home a lot in Ontario. He has a large farm plot and makes the best buckwheat-rye bagels I’ve ever had. I can’t visit anymore due to some social divisions in the family, but it would be nice to enjoy a simple day in his shoes. Getting away from the complexity of university and having a relaxing day with a bagel spread with home-churned butter and a whole bottle of whiskey would be amazing.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Dedication. I am very dedicated to my work and my peers.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Show dedication to your role at Radford and it will, in turn, show dedication to you.
November
Norma Riggins
Marshfield, MA
University Scheduling Office Manager
22 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? All the great people I work with now and have had the opportunity to work with through the years. Most important all of us working together as a team to help our students have a great experience at RU.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To travel across the country by van or RV.
What do you do for fun? Spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy bowling, yard sales and relaxing at the lake or the beach.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Queen for a day.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Knowledge, team player, helpful, patient, kind and easy going.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Understand that your job will entail help from other areas or departments on campus. Always work as a team since the team is what helps us all succeed.
October
Tyler Parrish
Salem, VA
Information Technology Specialist
3 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The team I get to work with.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To go skydiving
What do you do for fun? I enjoy playing guitar and singing with my band The Oddfellows.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Chris Stapleton
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Patience and a positive attitude.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Be kind to everyone. You never know what kind of hardship others may be facing and a simple gesture of kindness could mean a lot.
September
Tyler Bond
Independence, VA
Sergeant, RUPD
8 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? My favorite thing about working at the University is interacting with the community and treating all with the upmost respect. I enjoy knowing that my fellow co-workers and I have the opportunity to make a difference within the community each and everyday.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Number one on the bucket list as of now is to travel to Alaska with my family. My family and I enjoy spending time outdoors, and the opportunity to spend time in a vast region on that magnitude would be unbelievable.
What do you do for fun? I enjoy playing golf, fishing, and spending time with my family.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Honestly, I can't think of anyone. I enjoy being myself and taking care of my family.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Honesty, integrity, determination, and professionalism. Each day I strive to put forth my best effort in keeping the community safe and building a foundation of trust and support within the community.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Treat others how you want to be treated, and take care of one another. Somedays can be harder than others and I feel that each employee should know that they don't have to face tasks on their own. Work together and not against one another.
August
Michael Goad
Radford, VA
Housekeeping Senior Worker
44 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? My coworkers and meeting the various staff.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To see the Grand Canyon and ride to the bottom of the canyon on the donkeys.
What do you do for fun? Helping my neighbors.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Tour guide at Disney World Harry Potter World.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Caring about my job and being available to help when the need arises.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Take pride in your job.
July
Carmella Carter
Floyd, VA
Assistant Director of HR Operations
18 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? There are multiple things; but I must say the people I work with is my favorite. Over the years I have formed great working relationships with people from all over campus and these relationships have assisted me in successfully completing multiple tasks.
What is one thing on your bucket list? My bucket list has multiple places I would like to see, including Alaska and Italy.
What do you do for fun? In the summer you will find me working in the garden. When it is cold outside, I will be curled up next to the fire with a crochet hook and yarn.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I always told my children to be a good person and not try to be someone else. There may be characteristics of a person that you admire and can incorporate those characteristics which is fine but don't try to mimic anyone. We all have a place in this world, and we all have contributions/talents that may never be known to others if a person is just trying to be someone else.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My desire is to take a problem and find a solution. Also, I desire to help others with situations they may be going through.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? When I came to Radford University, I started in an entry level position but knew I wanted more. To reach my goals, I looked for opportunities and developed a path for myself to reach them. I would like to encourage other employees to evaluate themselves and determine what they hope to achieve at Radford University. If you are not certain how to get to that goal, engage your supervisor, Human Resources, Division Leader or someone else who you feel can mentor you and help you achieve your goals.
June
Sharon Proffitt
Christiansburg, VA
E-Procurement Specialist
7 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? Radford University's commitment to students and employees surpass any other university. I have experience both as a student then as an employee. As a student, I never felt alone or afraid to ask questions from my professors, every professor I encountered inside and outside of class were always open, kind, considerate individuals. Always looking out for anyone struggling with course work. The staff at Radford University are talented, passionate, and inspiring. I learn from them every day. I strive to be there for others who struggle with eVA, like my professors were there for me. When you walk on campus you know that you are a part of a family that will always be there for you.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Ride in a hot air balloon.
What do you do for fun? I love teaching new generations (K-5) the ways to respect others around them. To treat others that way you want to be treated. To be kind and considerate to others. To listen when all a small child wants is someone to lean on and cry on a shoulder. Watching the new generation take on responsibility and respect for others gives me great joy. My father always said, leave the next generation better than you. That’s what I strive for each day by mentoring younger individuals.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I was raised to accept who you are and to make the most of it with the time you have. With that said, I would like to be a stronger, more resilient, more compassionate individual, not just for one day but strive for it every day until my time on Earth is no longer.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? I strive each day to come in with a smile and have that smile shine through whether I’m on the phone, meeting, or in person. To be that sounding board if someone needs it, to be that go to individual, to have the answers they seek. To help guide them through eVA issues. To be a friend to all.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Radford University will be there for you always. The faculty, staff, and students all have one goal: success for all. We are a united unit, and we strive to achieve excellence every day. Hands down the best University to be enrolled as a student or to work as an employee.
May
Timothy Cundiff
Blacksburg, VA
Asst. Director, Project Mgmt. & Special Events
3 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? The People. I have yet to meet or work with someone who didn't have a smile on their face. Working with such kind and uplifting people make being at Radford University very fulfilling.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I would love to back country camp across the Grand Canyon and the Badlands. I have plenty of items on "the list" but ultimately to see and enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the United States is a must do before I'm done here.
What do you do for fun? Besides being with my wife and children/grandchildren, I enjoy anything outdoors. Overlanding, camping, kayaking and any type of water sport are always great fun.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? I can't imagine being anyone else. My approach to everything, be it personal, professional or spiritual is as an adventure and a learning experience. I try to learn, embrace and emulate positive strengths, traits and wisdom from others and end each day knowing I did my best at whatever task, situation or work/life event I faced. I feel very fulfilled in both my personal and professional lives and really wouldn't trade that with anyone, even for a day.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Energy and enthusiasm are my most important personal attributes. My creativity and desire to serve along with my life learned knowledge, skills, bumps and bruises all lend themselves to my desire and ability to assist others in being as successful at their jobs/tasks/duties as possible.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Stay positive. Be flexible. Smile. We are all in this together!
April
Damien Allen
Ashburn, VA
Associate Director, Institutional Research
15 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? I've always appreciated that the institution is right-sized for how I like to work cooperatively with others across many offices. It's small enough that I get to do a little bit of everything while being big enough I don't have to do everything.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I'd like to be able to visit many places around the world and spend a lot time in different places.
What do you do for fun? I've starting playing mahjong last year year and am continuously trying to learn and improve. I try to play for an hour each evening if I'm able.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Sir Anthony Hopkins
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? My work benefits when I'm able to see individual pieces fit together working into a system and how things function as a whole. Being aware of all the moving parts of running a university helps brings understanding and awareness of patterns in the noise.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Take some time and appreciate the plants and wildlife living and growing on our 211 acre campus. The Riverwalk trail from the Dedmon Center down to Bisset Park is a great place to beat the summer heat.
March
Avraham Boruchowitz
Salem, VA
Director, EHS
9 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? I enjoy the opportunity to support and serve the students, faculty, and staff, doing my part to ensure everyone’s safety.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To create a bucket list.
What do you do for fun? I enjoy spending time with my family, especially time outdoors hiking, kayaking/canoeing, and biking.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? If given that chance…me. Every day is a gift and I’m grateful for each one.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? A passion for what I do, communicating well, a determination to help, and a customer service focus.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis
February
Donnie Wimmer
Salem, VA
Information Security Officer
6 months of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? Being a part of the Information Technology Services team, learning about new and emerging technologies, and implementing technological solutions that support the university’s mission.
What is one thing on your bucket list? Would like to travel the route of Lewis and Clark during their exploration of the western United States.
What do you do for fun? Spending time outdoors with my family.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Elon Musk.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Different views and perspectives regarding IT Security..
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Radford University offers employees excellent opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. Take advantage of these opportunities as they arise, challenge yourself, learn from your mistakes, and inspire your teammates.
January
Vincent Moore
Radford, VA
AUX. Maintenance Technician
2 years of dedicated service
What is your favorite thing about working at Radford University? I like being around the people, and learning new things.
What is one thing on your bucket list? To go to Hawaii.
What do you do for fun? I like to produce and play music.
If given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Zaytoven, a music producer.
What would you describe as the most important personal attributes or strength that you bring to your job? Being a hard worker, willingness to help others.
What advice would you offer to other employees at Radford University? Stay focused on your goals, and learn as much as you can so that whatever you do, you give it 100 percent.