Tara Reed, event and conference coordinator in the School of Integrative Plant Science, received the Core Value Staff Award for Initiative at a ceremony Nov. 5 celebrating research, extension and staff excellence at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Reed is the primary event coordinator for SIPS, managing weekly seminars, conferences and field days, and all school-wide events, from 50-person award ceremonies to picnics and holiday parties with more than 350 attendees.
"All this requires a tremendous level of organization and coordination. But Tara also takes the initiative to improve efficiencies, communications and support systems to meet intended goals," said Kathryn J. Boor '80, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS.
The award recognizes a person who adopts a culture of sustainability and efficiency; strives to develop and implement best practices; identifies opportunities in challenges and shows initiative; anticipates and adapts to changing priorities and additional demands; and reaches out in a timely manner to resolve problems or conflicts.
As one example of her efforts, Reed was lauded for taking steps to anticipate and proactively address problems. She was instrumental in helping graduate students host diversity event at Cornell, with more than 40 students invited to campus.
► Meet all of our 2018 Research, Extension and Staff Award winners
