Lauren Reuscher receives her award from Mason President Ángel Cabrera. Reuscher's supervisor called her "one of the most positive, upbeat people I know." Photo by Evan Cantwell
Consider the average day for Lauren Reuscher, George Mason University’s integrated campuses manager for University Information:
Up at various times during the night with her 4-month-old daughter, Amy; responsibilities at George Mason’s Fairfax, SciTech and Arlington campuses that keep her on the go; obligations with the Staff Senate; and back home to help husband, Mike, care for their new daughter.
“Just trying to cram as much into a day as possible,” Reuscher said.
“One of the most positive, upbeat people I know,” said her supervisor, Philip Stamper, University Information’s unit manager. “She never complains and that speaks to her professionalism and ability to mange it all.”
For all she does at Mason, Reuscher is the September Employee of the Month.
“It means a lot to be recognized for the work I do,” said Reuscher, who has been at the university since 2009 and in her current job the past four years. “It makes me feel really appreciated.”
Her work is extensive.
Reuscher manages the information desks in Arlington and at SciTech, meaning she deals directly with students, trains them and holds them accountable for their work.
She puts together the Around Mason announcements that appear on the university website and keep faculty and staff up to date on campus happenings, and maintains the websites for the Arlington and SciTech Campuses, and Mason’s Potomac Science Center. She also maintains several of the university’s critical websites, and last year was chair of the Staff Senate’s Education and Outreach committee that puts out a monthly newsletter.
“It helps give staff a voice at the university and helps communicate the types of things staff is dealing with on a daily basis,” said Reuscher, who still holds a Staff Senate position.
Her work has also provided connections throughout the university, critical in a job that depends on accurate information.
“I can tell you the scoop before other people sometimes,” she said, laughing.
But seriously, Reuscher said, “I love working with students on campus, being their supervisor and helping their professional development. And I love the chance to work with different people from different areas to help them share information.”
Somehow she fits it all into her workday, which she said is easy compared to taking care of a baby.
“Things are crazy after you get home from work,” she said. “Mike and I are grateful I work in a place that supports work/life balance. I never feel like I can’t do what I need for Amy when I need to.”