Employee SpotlightDwayne Henry, Lab Manager
Chemical and Biological Sciences Department, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus
Dwayne Henry, a long-time employee of Montgomery College, has been promoted to Lab Manager for the Chemical and Biological Sciences Department. A graduate of the 26th Leadership Development Program offered by ELITE, Dwayne is a champion for equity and inclusion including several contributions to the Montgomery County community.
Dwayne actively works with the Center for Early Education at the Germantown Campus where he leads introductory biology lessons for their four and five-year-old students. He is involved with Montgomery Works, an organization that helps special needs adults learn various job skills in hopes of gaining permanent employment. In addition, Dwayne works with MCPS with their Summer RISE program, a three to four week/60 to 80-hour program for juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based biology lab learning opportunity.
A primary focus of Dwayne’s new role is laboratory safety practices for all students, staff, and faculty. Dwayne has organized and led a series of laboratory safety trainings for facilities staff on the TP/SS campus. Dwayne’s goal is to make MC laboratories a meaningful and rich experience for students from all walks of life, regardless of age and/or disabilities, actions which directly impact the educational success of our students. Please join me in commending Dwayne Henry for his achievement and continued commitment to Montgomery College. —Submitted by James Sniezek, Ph.D., Dean of Instruction, Chemical and Biological Sciences
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Update on Recruitment and Hiring Suspension and the Employment of Casual Temporary and Student Workers
The suspension of recruitment and hiring, which was implemented on April 27, will continue until further notice. Currently, we are also not processing the hiring of new part-time faculty (new part-time faculty are identified as a part-time faculty member that has not worked for the College or hasn’t been assigned a course in several semesters and are no longer active in the system), new student workers, or new casual temporary employees for the next fiscal/academic year. For guidance on Federal Work Study (FWS) student summer assignments, please contact Matt Hicks in the Office of Student Financial Aid.
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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Changes
In response to the pandemic, the IRS has issued guidance allowing employees to make prospective changes to their FSAs for 2020. This includes dependent daycare, healthcare, and limited accounts (limited applies to Cigna Health Savings Account participants only). Some participants may have put funds aside to pay for summer camps that are now canceled due to the crisis, or have other unexpected COVID-related healthcare expenses. Recognizing these needs, the College will allow the following prospective changes to FSAs without a qualifying life event:
- Revoking an election
- Making a new election
- Increasing or decreasing an existing election
If you wish to modify your FSA election, please email HR Benefits with your M number, the change you wish to make, and when you would like it effective (i.e.: next pay).
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Contribute Your Skills: New Talent Share ProgramAs a result of our changed work environment, some departments are experiencing an increased workload while others may have employees with increased availability. While you are continuing to support our students, HRSTM is responding to the challenges of COVID-19 by creating opportunities to support each other. By working together, we can share our talents and expertise across the College.Building a Stronger CommunityIf you are looking for another way to stay connected to the MC community while working from home, this new initiative may be for you.The Talent Share program will allow you to:- Collaborate with other units, teams, to support departments across the College.
- Increase your network and connections Collegewide.
- Contribute your skills while adding to your professional growth and development.
Any questions regarding the talent sharing program can be sent to HRSTM. More information including FAQs can be found on the talent share webpage.
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Upcoming Retirement Webinars and Meetings
Offered by Frontier Financial Group/Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
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Important DatesMay 28
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Virtual Cooking Demo with Certified Nutritionist, Alana Sugar. Log into MC Learns to register for the webinar.
4 p.m.
May 29
Timesheets due by noon.
Daily Stretch Breaks
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Maryland Votes by Mail for Presidential Primary Election
The presidential primary election will take place on June 2. Vote safe, vote by mail. Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by 8 p.m. on June 2. On Election Day, vote centers will be available for those who must vote in person. More info
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Wellness Update
If you participate in the EAP Outside Gym Reimbursement program, please check your gym’s website to see what their policy is regarding fees/dues during the stay-at-home order.
Watch for email updates from India and the Wellness program as we stay healthy together during this difficult time.
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Join MC Employee Facebook Group
Stay up to date on the latest news by joining our private MC employee Facebook group. This group is only open to MC employees and will require approval to join.
Let's stay connected.
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More Information
Suggestion for the Newsletter?
If you have a suggestion for the newsletter, please email HRSTM.
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