Murray Named UW Staff Employee of Third Quarter

Allison Murray is described by her campus colleagues as being dedicated to knowing and learning as much as she can, and going beyond in all that she does, while doing it all with a kind, calm presence.

For that, Murray, an associate director in the University of Wyoming Scholarships and Financial Aid Office, was recently selected as the recipient of the UW Staff Employee of the Third Quarter Award. A free public reception for Murray will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 29, in the Wyoming Union Family Room. Refreshments will be available.

The award recognizes a UW staff member for efforts toward excellence in the workplace. Established in March 1985 to recognize outstanding staff members as the Employee of the Month Award, the award was revised into the current program in January 1990. The award is given to one current UW staff member every calendar quarter. The staff employee of the year will be named at Staff Senate's Recognition Day celebration this semester.

Murray has been Financial Aid's associate director since January 2022 and began her duties in the division as the compliance coordinator five years ago.

She oversees a hard-working team of people who assist her in coordinating the awarding, recording and distribution of state and private scholarships at UW. This involves collaborating with many campus staff and faculty members, including the UW Foundation, to support the strategic use of scholarships. She also works with other office personnel to aid in enrollment management initiatives and serves as an authoritative resource on campus for using Financial Aid's systems of scholarship operation, while maintaining compliance with regulations and governing agreements.

"Allison collaborates with campus departments and with the foundation on a regular basis to both foster open communication and support, but also in the hopes to continue to improve the awarding process," a colleague says. "She knows there is room for improvement in certain areas, and I have noticed her treat improvement with a sense of urgency."

Another colleague says Murray approaches every situation with kindness, thoughtfulness and patience, making her a trusted ally for colleagues and students alike.

"Allison is a leader in her area and is my go-to person to answer questions. I am always met with warmth, kindness and a willingness to help in any way possible," the nominator adds. "She is knowledgeable and hard-working. In addition to Allison's hard work in her role, just her personality brings so much to our department."

Last year, some of the guidelines for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process were updated, and colleges across the U.S. had to scramble to implement new guidelines.

"Allison approached this situation with remarkable competence and composure, ensuring that UW students received timely support and guidance during a critical time," a colleague says. "Her proactive communication and strategic problem-solving were instrumental in mitigating potential disruptions. She also has been a vital resource in awarding protected class scholarships. Her thorough understanding of the criteria and commitment to equity ensure that we honor our responsibility to support underrepresented students in a way consistent with the university's policies."

Murray says she is thankful to those who nominated her for the staff honor, saying, "I want to acknowledge that I cannot be successful in my work without their collaboration and support."

"The most rewarding part of my job is being able to support a high-achieving team, share insights and guidance with campus colleagues regarding their use of scholarship dollars, and hearing about students being able to achieve their higher education goals," Murray says. "I look forward to working alongside others in my office because they are passionate about their work and desire to help eliminate financial barriers for students. I have been able to discover myself in this job and appreciate the opportunities and support from my office as I endeavor to grow personally and professionally."

An Employee of the Quarter nominee can be any UW staff employee, and each must receive three nomination forms from three separate individuals. Nominations must be submitted to the Staff Senate office. Forms can be found here.

For more information, call the Staff Senate office at (307) 766-5300.