AFSA Business Staff

September 2, 2021

AFSA Business Staff juggle multiple responsibilities and, like all super star professionals, must often anticipate on the front end a multitude of “what could possibly go wrong” scenarios.  In early 2020, System launched a new online travel system, Concur, whereby travel is processed from beginning to end…and then Covid hit and travel ceased. More than 17 months after the new system was launched, travel resumed but “we” had all slept since then and, frankly, Concur end users (those that process the monies for actual travelers) received little to no actual System training.  Through a series of missteps, trial and error, and sheer will, the AFSA business staff formed their own support group. This group recently met (as in yesterday) via Zoom to go where no AFSA team had gone before – the abyss that is Concur.  Our own San Fitchpatrick, EM administrative coordinator and practiced Concur user, put together a slick PowerPoint reflecting not only here’s how Concur should work, but also here’s how it really works. Alesha White, Faculty Affairs coordinator, graciously volunteered to be a real world example as “we” watched her process travel for two AFSA team members (who shall remain nameless – but we’re certain they’ll be reimbursed due to Alesha’s newfound finesse of the Concur system). 

Thanks to Judi Waldrip, AFSA director and business manager, for having the common sense to gather us  together. Thanks to all in attendance including Veronica Reliford-Thomas, TLC administrative specialist; Heather Juzeszyn, SASSI administrative coordinator, Alesha White, Faculty Affairs coordinator, Anna Norris, Faculty Affairs coordinator; Jean Perdicaris, assistant to the AFSA vice chancellor; Twan Wilkerson, CHIPS accounting specialist; Eliani Pater, SACE educational specialist (this meeting took place on her birthday and what better gift…); Carriann Bingham, Library business manager, and Venus Claxton, CHIPS program administrator.

Judi shared, “This experience exemplified great teamwork with assistance from those with more Concur experience. There was so much support for all colleagues as well as clear communication. Special thanks to San for preparing the presentation and Alesha for showing us the real example.”

The expression, it takes a village, may be worn out, but in this work life instance, this is a support group that takes assisting each other in caring and meaningful ways in this and in all things.

If you haven’t done so lately, praise the administrative professionals that are willingly in the trenches as they truthfully allow us to breathe easier when the sun rises!