Four University of Wisconsin-Stout employees have been named to the Board of Examiners for the Wisconsin Forward Award, which is the Malcolm S. Baldrige National Quality Award program for Wisconsin.
As examiners, Andrei Ghenciu, Glendali Rodriguez, Maria Alm and Emily Whitcomb will review applications from organizations that apply.
Ghenciu is an associate professor in the mathematics, statistics and computer science department. Rodriguez in the interim Provost. Alm is the dean of the College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences. Whitcomb is the Admissions Office transfer coordinator.
Ghenciu, Rodriguez and Alm have previously been award examiners. To remain qualified examiners, annual training is required.
UW-Stout Assistant Chancellor Meridith Wentz is an examiner for the national Baldridge award. UW-Stout received the Baldrige national award in 2001, the first and only four-year institution to be honored.
According to the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence website, the Wisconsin Forward Award is Wisconsin’s premier recognition for workplace excellence. It was created in 1997 by Gov. Tommy Thompson and the Council for Workforce Investment to advance Wisconsin organizations in the international marketplace and to enhance learning, continuous improvement and enterprise performance.
The award honors organizations that have “sharpened their competitive edge” and are impacting the local, regional or global economy.
“By understanding and applying the WFA/Baldrige Criteria, Wisconsin organizations can increase their ability to complete in the global marketplace, meet the growing demands of customers, and remain competitive. Organizations like these will produce good jobs, a skilled workforce, and a strong economic future for Wisconsin,” the website states.
Organizations representing business, education, health care, manufacturing, non-profit and the public sector are eligible to participate in the award program, and do so to demonstrate accountability, efficiency and effectiveness.
Recipients of the award in 2018 were Black River Memorial Hospital in Black River Falls, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services and Milwaukee County.
Photos
Wisconsin Forward Award logo
Andrei Ghenciu
Glendali Rodriguez
Maria Alm
Emily Whitcomb
