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SALISBURY, MD---Beth Walsh, grants specialist in ºÚÁÏÍø’s Graduate Studies and Research Office, often is seen riding her bicycle around campus.

Most people don’t know she also jumps hurdles — figuratively, that is. When financial obstacles got in the way of SU’s purchasing and managing a digital grants tracking database, she immersed herself in the process, clearing the way for the University to obtain the software and tailor it for optimum use at an estimated savings of more than $30,000.

For her efforts, Walsh recently earned one of the University System of Maryland’s highest honors: the Board of Regents’ Staff Award for Excellence in Effectiveness and Efficiency.

“Beth is a treasure among our staff,” said SU President Charles Wight. “She went well beyond her typical job duties to take on this project, successfully implemented it, and developed trainings for faculty and staff across campus while still excelling in her daily work activities and meeting all deadlines. This is a fitting honor for her hard work and dedication to the University.”

Walsh’s endeavor began when the Graduate Studies and Research Office sought to upgrade its grant processes to an electronic research administration system. When she learned fellow USM institution Towson University had secured such a system from Kuali, Inc., she traveled to the Baltimore-area campus to learn more about its potential for SU. Subsequent negotiations resulted in the USM’s entering into a contract with the company, allowing SU to purchase it at a reduced rate in 2016.

However, that was only the beginning.

“We still needed effective communication processes and trainings to ensure buy-in from our end-users,” said Dr. Clifton Griffon, SU dean of graduate studies and research. “Beth took the lead in identifying early adopters and effective piloting processes while also taking the lead in providing robust training for our faculty. These actions allowed us to minimize our dependency on costly trainings and startup costs, which saved thousands of dollars yet again.”

“Her knowledge of SU and the faculty was invaluable when it came to developing processes, building tables, establishing work flow and all other pieces required in a software implementation,” said her nominator, Teri Herberger, SU director of sponsored programs. “Not only did Beth contribute to process development; she also independently worked on maintenance tables and took the initiative to learn administrative functions that allow us to customize tables without the need for Kuali support at $200 per hour.”

“Because of Beth’s diligence, we were able to avoid the types of problems that we sometimes see when key project staff don’t take the time to understand the system fully and make thoughtful configuration decisions,” said Kaci Foster, Kuali Research director of customer success. “Beth was very independent, consulting with us only when she had a problem or issue she couldn’t resolve on her own. As a result, we closed the project with 35 percent of the planned hours on our services contract unused, representing a substantial savings to Salisbury.

According to Dr. Mike Scott, interim dean of SU’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, the accomplishment was one of many Walsh has achieved in her 20-plus years as an SU employee.

“I believe what truly sets her apart and shows that she is deserving of this award is her long-term commitment to a very high level of both effectiveness and efficiency,” he said.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.