Thursday, September 04, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC – Sandra Harris, an accounting technician to the director of finance and administration at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, was the 2003 recipient of the State Employees’ Award of Excellence, the highest honor a state employee may receive.

Harris works in the UNCW division for public service and continuing studies. She was also the 2003 UNCW Employee of the Year and the 2003 YWCA Woman of the Year.

Harris has a degree in English from UNCW and plans to seek a master's degree in liberal studies. She is actively involved in community work, including assisting in directing the Leadership Wilmington Alumni Association and serving on the Leadership Wilmington executive committee.

Harris also serves as the vice-chairman on the board of directors for New Hanover County Community Action and is chairman for the Harbour Foundation. She is a mentor and a tutor for teenagers in the community and in her church. Harris works with young girls to enhance their self-esteem and strengthen their leadership skills through her independent service, "Coming to the Stage."

Harris received her award in the area of public service. The Employees' Awards for Excellence program is designed to recognize and express gratitude for outstanding accomplishments that do not fall within the scope of normal duties, but are of a major contribution from the person as applied to state service. More information about the award can be found at http://www.osp.state.nc.us/recognize/govaward.html.

Each year two nominees are submitted from UNCW for the award. One nominee is the Staff Award of Excellence recipient and the other is the Faculty Teaching Excellence recipient. Due to budget constraints in 2002 the Governor’s Award of Excellence program was abolished and Harris was unable to be nominated. When the award was reinstated as State Employees’ Award of Excellence in 2003, UNCW nominated Harris along with two others.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information or for a comment contact Liz Grimes in UNCW Human Resources at 910/962-3274.