Deborah Fisher, an administrative assistant in the Math Center, has been named December's Employee of the Month by the Staff Employees Council.

Fisher, according to Danelle Clark, director of the Math Center, has an innate understanding that often students who seek help from the Math Center need guidance, expert advice and reassurance. An example is the Accuplacer Tests (placement tests for incoming freshmen wishing to challenge their ACT/SAT scores) that are administered by the Math Center.

"As you can imagine, parents and students are quite anxious about this test and come in with many questions," Clarke wrote in her nomination letter for Fisher. "Ms. Fisher takes the time to talk to parents and students and explain all the details of the testing process and never rushes them." This isn't all that Fisher does during this process, Clarke said. "I have seen and heard from students that Ms. Fisher will answer students' questions on weekends, from home," Clarke wrote. "She will even call them on a Sunday afternoon! She knows that students are frantic about getting into classes and she wants to put them at ease."

For her part, Fisher said it is the interaction that she has with students that makes her job worthwhile.

"The best part of my job is working with students," she said. "Working in the Math Center allows me to interact with young people, get to know them and make connection with them. I encourage them when they're struggling, and be a 'mom' when they're not making the grades they should. Surprisingly, students respond to this ... after a while, some of them will come into my office to get advice about approaching instructors, which class to take next, or what do after a bad semester.

"Part of my job is being ready with a box of tissues and a list of names and numbers of people on campus that can help them get back on track."

Fisher added that she enjoys seeing the end result of students who have been helped through their interaction with the Math Center.

"It's great to watch students who arrive upset and frustrated, leave confident and optimistic," she said. "Helping young people do better and be better, it's the best job in the world."

Clarke said that Fisher also makes sure to help and encourage the Center's student tutors.

"I know her open and caring demeanor makes the Math Center a good place for students to work," Clarke said.