Going Above and Beyond

Written by Natalie Lavery ('19)

Erica Foltz, the Assistant Director for Member Services at James Madison University Recreation, was awarded with the Make Your Next Move Award from JMU’s Career and Academic Planning Department.

This award is given to JMU faculty and staff for their outstanding work helping students move forward with their career aspirations. Erica was recognized for her devotion to helping students make the next move in their career development.

Erica continuously supports JMU students, UREC employees, classmates, and her coworkers. She goes above and beyond to meet with students about their resumes, cover letters, and upcoming interviews.

Erica makes it a priority to teach her student managers about development through Chickering’s Seven Vectors of Identity Development. This course allows students to better understand themselves and their coworkers. Erica also teaches a KIN 100 class and makes an effort to teach these students the true pillars of wellness and how these skills apply to post-graduation life.

“Erica has been a continuous support system for me as I navigate graduate school, a graduate assistantship and deciding what I want to do after graduation,” Katie Regan, the Graduate Assistant for Reservations and Event Operations, said. “Her door is always open to talk about whatever I need. She has helped me grow as an employee, but more importantly as a person … She is always reassuring and confident in my abilities even when I am not. I know that she will continue to be a wonderful mentor and friend after I leave JMU in May.” 

Erica shows passion in her work by always being there for her student staff members, whether it be her career review sessions, meeting with students to talk about personal situations in and out of UREC, or just helping develop skills on the job.

“She shows genuine care for our work as well as her own as she strives for excellence in everything she does,” Nathan Lawhead, a JMU student and UREC employee, said. “I could not be more excited to have the opportunity to nominate her for the Make Your Next Move Award. She is the ideal figure when it comes to an effective leader and someone I can rely on for personal and professional growth.”

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