Meet Atkins University’s Student of the Year, Rachael Brown
Each year, Atkins University honors one especially outstanding, well-rounded student by naming that individual as Student of the Year. Selection is based on their participation and successful completion of their studies in the technical and people management disciplines. Meet Rachael Brown, the Student of the Year.
We are excited to introduce Rachael Brown as our 2011 Student of the Year. Brown joined Atkins in 1998 and is currently serving as a Scientist in our Houston Lab, Texas, office, managing the laboratory operations and its employees while providing technical oversight on special projects. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in environmental studies, and is passionate about making our world a better place to live and the Houston Lab a better place to work.
Throughout 2011, Brown participated in a wide variety of technical, management, and leadership courses, which included not only online studies but instructor-led webinars and conferences as well. “Training is an important part of every job,” began Brown. “Knowing how to properly and effectively manage my staff is just as important as keeping my technical skills sharp in my area of practice,” she continued. The emphasis she places on learning is evident from the monthly Manager Essentials webinars she participated in, which provides people management and soft-skills training to managers and supervisors throughout the company. In addition to the monthly webinars, she also completed a variety of online management and leadership courses that have helped to reinforce skills she already possessed and improve her management style. “I now have greater confidence and ability to handle the day-to-day management tasks, and create a happier, productive workplace,” she shared. “Happy employees create a more cohesive team which creates a better place to work for all involved,” Brown stated.
While some training is required to meet certain continuing education requirements for license renewals, other instruction such as the soft-skills training is just as important. “The training I’ve completed is applicable to every aspect of my life, personally and professionally, and has made me a better-rounded person,” Brown continued. “As a supervisor at work and a community volunteer in my spare time, I want others to learn from me. Knowing how to communicate and provide feedback is essential in becoming a role model for others. These courses reinforce that belief and commitment for me,” she continued.
Faust Parker, senior group manager and Brown’s supervisor is proud of her accomplishments and improvements. “Rachael’s training has been ongoing throughout the years, and she’s doing an incredible job,” he shared. “Each management courses she has taken has really helped sharpen and hone her people management skills,” Parker continued. “She has a tremendous amount of respect from those who work in the lab, and that says a lot about her as an employee and a manager. Rachael is extremely dependable and is dedicated to doing the best job she can in every aspect of her career,” he concluded.
Encouraging others to explore Atkins University and take advantage of the training offered, she said, “I feel that everyone in management or leadership should really invest time in taking advantage of the training opportunities available to us. The University is an invaluable resource, offering assistance in building and sharpening skills for every aspect of our lives. The insight and knowledge we can gain by participating will benefit each of us, our employees, and our clients.”
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Congratulate Rachael Brown at +1 (713) 977-1500, ext. 449-1117