Lori Henley is the 2024 Florida State University Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award winner.
President Richard McCullough selected Henley, who serves as a graduate program coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, for the annual award that since 2008 has acknowledged outstanding employees whose contributions and excellent service extend across campus.
“Lori’s nomination represents a commitment to service excellence,” said Renisha Gibbs, associate vice president for Human Resources and Finance and Administration chief of staff. “Her work has made a considerable impact on the students and colleagues in her department, and she truly embodies the criteria of this award.”
As this year’s Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award recipient, Henley will receive two football tickets, a stipend and a reserved parking space for one year.
“Mrs. Henley’s efforts are essential for the health and success of our program. She cares deeply for our students and has a passion for her work,” Professor A. Eugene DePrince wrote in his nomination.
Henley is responsible for ushering approximately 170 graduate students through their degree programs. She is described as customer and solution-oriented, empathetic, informative, courteous and highly efficient.
Henley has also been commended for her commitment to assisting new international students by giving rides to places like the Social Security office. She does not simply give them a list of steps but aids them in completing them as they adjust to life at FSU.
Zilin Huang wrote, “Lori walked me from Dittmer to CGE for my onboarding. She also drove us to the English oral exams and the Social Security office. Her help meant a lot to me as an international student.”
The feeling is mutual between Henley and the students she advises. She said, “I love to involve our current students with our recruiting, our events and the overall function of the program. They are so eager to help, and honestly are the main reason I am successful at my work.”
Henley is precise and detail oriented. She readily notices discrepancies and inefficiencies, which she is quick to remedy. Her nomination noted that she is keen on enhancing processes to gain efficiencies. If she sees where an improvement can be made, she will work to make that change. She is also described as a collaborative problem-solver, proactively working with all interested parties to find solutions.
“I have never presented Mrs. Henley with a problematic situation that she was not willing to own and seek out creative solutions,” DePrince wrote.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is undoubtedly proud of the reflection of Henley’s exceptional service on the department.
While Henley has significantly impacted the students she assists, she is also cognizant of her larger contribution to the university.
“She remains professional and courteous and fully understands that she broadly represents the interests of the department and university,” DePrince wrote.
Henley is happy to continue the tradition of excellence she experienced as a student at FSU.
“During my undergraduate and graduate program, I was fortunate to have amazing advising, and I hope to be that for my students here at FSU,” she said. “When I moved to Tallahassee in 2004 for graduate school, I found the most supportive cohort of amazing students, colleagues, staff and faculty. Graduate school is such a big, important step and likely requires moving away from family and friends. It’s important to me to be able to do whatever I can do for these students to relieve any stress during this process.”
Henley said she is deeply honored to receive this recognition and credited the amazing faculty she works closely with.
“In my eight years with Chemistry, I am fortunate to have been mentored by a number of faculty, our amazing associate chairs, and the chairs of our Recruiting & Admissions Committee,” she said. “Through my work on these committees, I have gotten to know the faculty better. I feel this gives the faculty and me a good chance to get to know and understand each other and appreciate the work being done across the department. A considerable trust has been formed, and it makes it great to work for/with those who you trust.”