Ramona J. DuBose, director of communications at the School of Public Health, has been honored by the UNC Office of Human Resources as a supervisor who encourages staff learning and professional growth.

DuBose, who came to the School in 2005, received the Training and Development Department’s Outstanding Encouragement of Learning and Development Award at the annual meeting of the University Managers Association on May 15. The award was created by the Chancellor’s Taskforce for a Better Workplace to recognize managers who facilitate their staff members' participation in educational and career development activities.

Chris Perry, assistant director of communications for Web content, nominated DuBose for her support of Perry’s part-time pursuit of a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication.

“Ramona’s support for professional development, however, doesn't end with higher education and official programs,” Perry says.

“She also supports our team by giving us challenging but rewarding assignments that might be a stretch for us, and she provides a safety net so we can learn new approaches and methods without fear of failure. We are more productive because of Ramona; she gives us confidence to carry our work to the next level."

"The selection committee had an extremely difficult time choosing this year's winner, as there were many, many very deserving nominees,” said Rob Kramer, director of training and development. “Ramona DuBose is an example of what a manager can do without the use of money or resources, offering only themselves, and making a major impact on the development and the lives of their staff."

“Ramona reflects the strength of a University that values the professional development of staff and has a deep concern for their personal lives,” says Dave Potenziani, senior associate dean at the School of Public Health. “In this way, she represents the best of Carolina.”

DuBose’s award makes her automatically eligible for a Chancellor's Award in Human Relations (for outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of the workplace or creating a better public image of state government) later this year.

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School of Public Health contact: Emily Smith, assistant director of communications, (919) 966-8498 or emily_smith@unc.edu.