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Tracy Williams, with Mason President Ángel Cabrera, is described as a true team player and a very positive individual. Photo by Ron Aira.
By her own admission, Tracy Williams does not like the spotlight. But as a budget analyst in George Mason University’s Office of Budget and Planning, and with hard work and dedication, she has brought the spotlight on to herself.
From managing INTO Mason reconciliations and billing to handling budget adjustments and position control changes, Williams is a true team player, said her supervisor, Barbara Clark, director of financial analysis and budget operations.
Those qualities led to Williams being named George Mason’s November Employee of the Month.
“This has never happened to me before,” she said. “It means a lot. When you are the person grinding, you don’t think people notice. But it’s good to know they realize the work you do. I’m shocked and very thankful.”
Originally from Itta Bena, Miss., Williams was working as an accountant when she decided to come 950 miles north to Northern Virginia in search of what she called a change of environment for her daughter, Alexis.
Williams soon found her place at Mason, and Nov. 1, the day she received her recognition as Employee of the Month from Mason President Ángel Cabrera, in front of family and friends, was her seventh anniversary at the university.
“When I think of the Employee of the Month, I think of someone who is thinking about things from a university perspective,” Clark said. “Tracy is someone who is always willing to help out and go outside the box from what her direct responsibilities may be.”
“She’s very professional, always smiles, and is a very positive individual,” Clark added. “To me, Tracy exudes the Mason spirit.”
Still, Williams, who loves running and volunteering in her community, said the recognition came as a surprise.
“As a budget and accounting professional, I like to make sure that all funds are accounted for properly, and will do anything I can to ensure that Mason is operating in a fiscally sound manner,” she said. “Most of my career has been at universities. I like to affect the change you can make in young people’s lives.”