September 1, 2000

Donna Goforth helps to develop a sense of pride in employees

by Nicole McDaniel, A'01 Intern in the Offices of Publications and Public Affairs

Donna Goforth, coordinator of employment and training, makes a difference in the Loyola community through productive and successful training programs. Through the new employee orientation, customer service training, and college work/study program, she is helping to provide a rewarding Loyola educational experience.

The new employee orientation which introduces staff to the Loyola community usually occurs within the first 30 days of employment. It lasts nearly two hours and includes an informative slide presentation. Employees learn about the different colleges on campus, the organizational structure, and the prevailing Jesuit tradition. As part of the introduction, they meet key Loyola community members including representatives from institutional advancement, counseling and career services, university police, and the Jesuit family.

Employee knowledge is key to offering excellent service to internal and external constituents. Goforth stresses, "Student retention is directly tied to new employee orientation. The more knowledgeable employees are about the university, the better equipped they are to serve the needs of the constituents." She adds the newest members of the Loyola community get "an inside view of how the university supports its employees. They learn that Loyola is a truly caring and gratifying environment."

Goforth says she also wants to show the new employees just how important they are to students' educational experience. While the faculty role in students' lives is pretty clear, staff may believe that their role is less obvious. She says many times, however, staff members build and maintain strong relationships with students that last throughout their years at Loyola and beyond.

Staff responds positively to the orientation program, Goforth says, and they particularly like to meet with key guest speakers. The Loyola Resource Guide also has been a valuable tool, she contends.

Erin Alexander, A'99, administrative assistant for alumni and parent relations who joined the university in May, agrees with Goforth's assessment. "The new employee orientation was very informative and welcoming. It made my transition from student life to staff easier and allowed me to learn about areas of Loyola that I might not have otherwise known."

As director of the college work/study program, Goforth also oversees over 500 students and more than 80 supervisors throughout the campus. These supervisors are a key element in student retention, she affirms, as students constantly come into contact with these leaders and look to them for guidance.

The importance of presenting Loyola as an institution grounded in the Jesuit tradition by educating its faculty, staff, and students is a job that Goforth sums up as "gratifying." She prepares them not only with facts about Loyola, but also a sense of pride in the university's beliefs, traditions, and expectations. "Loyola is a wonderful blend of both the Jesuit tradition and progressive thinking. This is what keeps the university prosperous and competitive."