College Recognized with AWE’s 2018 Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval, Health & Wellness Seal of Approval, Diversity Champion Award
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) won multiple workplace excellence awards from the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) this year, as announced at an annual award luncheon in Gaithersburg June 8.
CSM was awarded AWE’s 2018 Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval as well as the 2018 Health & Wellness Seal of Approval and the 2018 Diversity Champion Award.
“We work very hard to make CSM a great place to work,” said CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy. “Promoting a healthy environment with multiple fitness options for employees and students and fostering a climate that celebrates diversity is part of why CSM is a positive place for people to work and a positive place for students to learn. It is very gratifying to be recognized for those efforts with multiple AWE Awards this year.”
This is the 13th year that CSM was awarded the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval. Winners of this award are evaluated on programs in communication, diversity, employee growth, life-work balance and more.
“This award demonstrates that CSM is ardently committed to overall workplace quality,” said Associate Vice President of Human Resources & Payroll Services Ivan L. Smith. “We continuously strive to improve or programs in communication, diversity, employee growth, life-work balance and endeavor to make CSM an employer of choice.”
The Health & Wellness Seal of Approval recognizes employers who provide onsite fitness facilities and innovative programs for employee health and wellness. CSM, for instance, has a ‘Time-Off for Fitness’ program that allows employees who participate in wellness activities on CSM campuses to use up to one hour per week for fitness activities, with their supervisor’s approval.
Diversity champions are employers committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. These champions recognize the value of diversity in every aspect of the workplace. Applicants for this award are recognized based on multiple components, including leadership, workplace demographics and services diversity.
All AWE Award recipients undergo a rigorous assessment process led by an independent review panel of business professional and master’s- and doctorate-level students in the fields of business, industrial and organizational psychology, human resources, environmental science, public health and diversity and inclusion.
AWE is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1999, which is dedicated to increasing the number of excellent workplaces within the business community through education and recognition, as a means to enhance the quality of life of its citizens and empower economic growth. For information on AWE, visit www.excellentworkplace.org.
During 2018, the College of Southern Maryland celebrates its 60th anniversary. Established as part of the continuing expansion of the community college in America, Charles County Junior College opened September 17, 1958. The La Plata Campus was established at its present location in 1968, with college services expanding to St. Mary’s County in 1978 and Calvert County in 1980. For information about the college’s history, visit news.csmd.edu/60th/.
Today, CSM is a regionally accredited community college that provides programs and services with a special focus on local workforce development to maintain and grow a healthy economy and community. CSM serves more than 24,000 credit and continuing education students at its campuses located in Hughesville, La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick, as well as a Higher Education Center shared with University of Maryland University College in Waldorf and a Center for Transportation Training in La Plata. For information about CSM, call 301-934-7765 or visit www.csmd.edu.