April Employee of the Month: Stephanie Kuhta

When George Mason University’s School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM) needs something done and done well, it goes to Stephanie Kuhta.

Kuhta has been working at Mason since 2011, and in the SRTM office for a year and a half. She is responsible for providing administrative support for the school, coordinating new hires and planning events, among other responsibilities.

For Kuhta’s peerless drive, performance and organizational skills, she is Mason’s April Employee of the Month. 

“Stephanie Kuhta is driven, respectful, engaging and people-oriented, in addition to being administratively talented. And, yes, her performance outcomes are exceptional,” said Robert Baker, director of Mason’s Center for Sport Management. “I have been in a supervisory role at Mason for 15 years, and I have never known a more deserving nominee for Employee of the Month.” 

Kuhta credited much of her creativity and success to the school itself.

“Bob and the faculty and the students and the staff are really the reason why I love my job so much,” she said.

Kuhta coordinates the career social for SRTM students, alumni panels and the annual trip to a Washington Nationals game for students in the school. Additionally, SRTM consolidated from the Science and Technology Campus to Krug Hall on the Fairfax Campus during the summer of 2019, and Kuhta oversaw the entire complex move. 

“I have often heard that organizing faculty is like trying to herd cats, and after our move I fully believe it,” said Chris Green, a professor of sport and recreation studies. “Yet Stephanie managed to keep everyone on task, on time and organized throughout the process.”

“In a day, I’m interacting with our director, our faculty and our students, and I really enjoy that I get to kind of be a part of all of that,” Kuhta said. “It’s all the different aspects of the school and the college.”

How she got here: 

I started working at Mason in 2011 when I moved from Maryland to Virginia. My mother-in-law was a part-time faculty member in the English Department and encouraged me to apply. I started in the College of Science and moved to the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM) within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) in October of 2018.

Best day on the job:

That is a tough question. I have had so many within the last year and a half in SRTM. I honestly find each day to be fulfilling, and I enjoy the different challenges. I love what I do and the faculty, staff and students within SRTM and CEHD are the biggest reason why. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful team. They make every day rewarding.

What she likes best about working at Mason:

I love the atmosphere and energy on Mason’s campus. I have really enjoyed meeting new people and building relationships over the years. I have met so many inspiring people and have been lucky enough to have met some of my closest friends here.

What she does when not working:

In my free time you will find me with my husband and 4-year-old daughter. Every day is an adventure with them. We are expecting a baby boy this summer. We are super excited to start our new adventure as a family of four.