UA Honors Dawn Lighthall as 2018’s Outstanding Non-Exempt Statewide Employee

Leona Long

Dawn Lighthall’s nomination letter for Outstanding Non-Exempt Employee describes her in one word: awesome! The award recognized Lighthall for taking initiative working tirelessly, and accomplishing her work without delay, all with a positive attitude.

 

Dawn Lighthall
Dawn Lighthall, Outstanding Non-Exempt Employee, poses with UA President Jim Johnsen.

Lighthall started her career with the University in July 2013 as a temporary employee for SW Human Resources. A few months later, she was offered the position permanently. In August of 2016, she was hired as the Executive Assistant to UA’s Chief Finance Officer. She recently celebrated her five-year work anniversary and hopes to enjoy many more years working for the University of Alaska.

 

Lighthall works behind the scenes to ensure the Butrovich Building and our colleagues are safe and comfortable. She handles the tough work of dealing with a lot of space and building issues. She has led the charge on building re-organization (arranging surplus drop-offs, scheduling time for Facilities to come, etc.), helped make the basement break room a reality (arranged for it to be cleaned and painted, set up a calendar so the room can be reserved, selected the microwave and refrigerator, and located furniture for the room), makes sure our plants don’t die, and answers an endless set of questions from building occupants and guests.

 

Lighthall is also a great resource if you have questions—about pretty much everything related to Statewide. She also manages the custodial and maintenance aspect of the University House. She goes the extra mile to willingly help out other departments to ensure continued service and productivity by taking on travel and procurement for when they have experienced staffing interruptions or vacancies.