ECE’s Dodge earns kudos for dedication, contributions to Rice

BY JENNIFER EVANS
Rice News staff

Heather Dodge, graduate program administrator for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), has the rare ability to manage several activities at once and do it cheerfully. From coordinating faculty searches and graduate student recruitment to managing the promotion and tenure dossier process for ECE to arranging mentoring events, receptions and retirement parties, Dodge has “immensely contributed to the success of the department, the School of Engineering and the greater university,” said Behnaam Aazhang, J.S. Abercrombie Professor and chair of ECE.

	HEATHER DODGE

Her service and dedication to the department and Rice was recognized last week with a Distinguished Employee Award.

“Much of what I do on behalf of ECE, our students and faculty is behind the scenes, paying attention to myriad details, juggling dozens of balls and making sure everything comes together, apparently effortlessly and seamlessly,” Dodge said. “This award is a kind of acknowledgement of how much effort actually goes into successful end results, and I really appreciate that.”

Among other things, Dodge is responsible for organizing and managing paperwork that must be routed through the Dean of Engineering’s Office.

“She approaches her work with vision and energy and is always looking for more creative ways to do her job,” Dean of Engineering Sallie Keller wrote in her nomination of Dodge. “She is a vital part of any team she joins.”

Dodge came to Rice in 1993 from the advertising profession as coordinator of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering and as assistant editor of the ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering. She left in 2001 to produce all of the student publications for Houston Community College and returned in 2004 to assist the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. In 2005 she was recruited by ECE, where she manages a large graduate program and coordinates departmental functions.

During her tenure at Rice, she also has extended her service to the university on the Staff Advisory Committee by enhancing RiceFest and dedicated time to help others, particularly acclimating international students to a new culture.

“Helping people, primarily students, is the most rewarding aspect of my job,” Dodge said. “When our students are happy with their circumstances, they are more likely to excel beyond what they — or we — imagine. I love seeing them go on to achieve big goals in life, knowing that I had some small part in encouraging their accomplishments.”

The Distinguished Employee Award is given by Human Resources on behalf of the university to recognize employees who perform above and beyond their job descriptions for the benefit of the Rice community. Staff may be nominated for the award by their supervisor, peers or co-workers. It is not presented as a matter of routine, and there is no annual quota. The award is designed to honor and recognize those who are most deserving and who serve as a positive role model for Rice University staff, faculty and students.

To nominate an employee for the Distinguished Employee Award, contact Colleen Dutton at 713-348-4755 or cdutton@rice.edu.