Employee Excellence
in Service Award

If you've got an on-campus emergency, chances are you'll call the police. And if you're in luck, you'll talk to Dina Perry. She's almost always there, ready to help.

Perry is a police communications officer. She handles all incoming calls to 9-1-1 and campus police, dispatches assistance to those who need it, and monitors all campus alarms and security checkpoints.

"She consistently places the needs of the department and her co-workers ahead of her own," said Peggy Howard, police communications supervisor. "She insists on working the hardest possible schedule and covering days off for the other police communications operators. She has voluntarily, and without complaint, canceled vacation plans because of personnel shortages."

Perry wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm glad I can serve the campus," she said. "I like the campus community, I like the small size and I like helping the public."

Perry joined the Health Science Center in January 1995. Since she's been here, her co-workers say she has become the self-appointed "organizer," revising the police communication officer (PCO) training manual and developing training schedules for all new employees. She also created most of the training handouts currently used by communications officers, and she developed quick-reference guides used daily by all PCO's.

"She routinely performs beyond the scope of her job description, providing support and inspiration for her co-workers and supervisor," Howard said. "She has consistently delivered nothing less than excellence in her performance, her relationship with her peers and supervisors, and her dedication to the mission of the university and the mission of the police department. She is the consummate professional in all she does."

Despite all her efforts, Perry said she never expected an Employee Excellence Award. "I was very surprised; I didn't know my supervisor nominated me. I am very grateful I received this award," Perry said.

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