July 11, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

MMDC Perks — Help Spread the Word!

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Have you heard about the new MMDC Perks program? This program recognizes Eagles who are doing a great job following MMDC guidelines and completing the Eagle Heath Journal. Students who complete the Eagle Health Journal every single day will be entered to win small prizes (like shirts, yoga mats, snuggies, and other freebies), and big prizes (like $250 towards books, a reserved parking spot, or graduation pictures with Sammy D. Eagle).

You can also nominate students to win prizes if they have done an awesome job following the MMDC guidelines.  Complete the nomination form here.

Please continue to encourage students to follow MMDC guidelines, complete the Eagle Health Journal every day, and remind them that if they do, they’ll be eligible to win free stuff!

Questions? Email ssutphin@umw.edu.

A Message from President Paino

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A message from the Office of the President.

As many of you heard me mention in the All-University Address a few weeks ago, UMW Vice President Sabrina Johnson has announced that she will retire at the end of the spring semester. At the time of her retirement on June 24, she will have served at Mary Washington for 24 years. She began her tenure in 1997 at the helm of the University’s Department of Human Resources – first as assistant vice president and then as associate vice president. For the past three years, Johnson has held the role of UMW’s Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Equity and Access.

The first to hold this position, she was uniquely qualified by her professional experiences, including teaching in the arts and serving in Virginia’s Department of Human Resources Management in Richmond, as well as her formal education in law. Her compassionate approach has allowed her to become a voice for underrepresented populations such as first-generation and low-income students, ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, veterans and international students. She has championed those who felt marginalized, regardless of reason. As the momentum behind the University’s ASPIRE values and chief institutional advocate for a variety of viewpoints, Vice President Johnson has broadened the UMW community’s understanding of important and often overlooked issues.

I plan to consult with the campus community as I consider next steps in the process to identify a new leader for equity and access. Later this spring, we will celebrate the invaluable contributions of Vice President Johnson. In the interim, please join me in expressing our gratitude for her extraordinary contributions to our community.

President Troy Paino

#UMWTogether – Collective and Individual Responsibility, Acts of Kindness

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“It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.”

This is what Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama (the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism), has said about our obligations to the Earth and to each other. As you go through your day, how do you show gratitude to the planet, and to those who share it with you?

1) Purdue University has created a list of “45 Sustainability Resources You Need To Know”: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/45-sustainability-resources/

2) The Dalai Lama talks about individuals’ environmental responsibility in 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRwlygihP7I

 

“No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.” Aesop, The Lion and the Mouse.

There are so many small acts of kindness that you can perform that have the power to make a significant, positive impact on another person’s life. When you engage in acts of kindness, it shows others that there is still kindness and empathy in the world. Often, a simple act of kindness on your part can inspire others to act in a more compassionate way, as well. Small acts of kindness that you can easily do include things like holding open the door for others, greeting individuals you encounter, and even just smiling at others. Acts of kindness also include treating yourself kindly, by doing things like taking breaks throughout the day and engaging in self-care. Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, once said that “a single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” By engaging in acts of kindness, no matter how simple, you are making the world a kinder and more compassionate place.

Here are some resources that may inspire you to engage in acts of kindness, both to other people and to yourself:

Free 30-Minute Guided Meditation

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Free 30-Minute Guided MeditationMindfulness is great for relieving stress and improving mental health

Campus Recreation’s Yoga instructor, Bill Brooks, will lead a Free 30 minute Guided Meditation over Zoom.

On these free weekly meditation calls, you won’t be asked to speak, but simply to listen as Bill guides everyone on the line through some mindfulness practices.

Every Wednesday from 12:15-12:45 pm

Zoom link: https://umw-sso.zoom.us/j/81773264881

Meeting ID: 817 7326 4881

University Dining Reopens

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All University Dining locations will be open and serving students, faculty and staff as of Monday, February 1st. As was the case last fall, all service will be carry-out only, but a few new options will make it easier to get food without waiting in long lines.

Grubhub orders for Top of the UC meals no longer have to be placed one day in advance. Lunch orders are accepted until 8 a.m. and dinner orders are accepted until 2 p.m. each day. You may place orders up to 24 hours in advance, select your desired service time, and pick up your meal in Chandler Ballroom, avoiding any lines at the Top of the UC.

Eagle Meals to Go, featuring hot meals, packaged and ready for a quick pick-up, will debut in the Eagle’s Nest Market on Monday. The menu includes Mashed Potato Bowls, Mac & Cheese Bowls, and Entrée Plates, with selections changing weekly. The debut week menu includes Four Cheese Mac & Cheese with Bacon,  Mashed Potatoes with Popcorn Chicken, and a Rotisserie Chicken entrée plate with mashed potatoes, gravy, and seasonal vegetables.

Discounted Meals for Faculty & Staff at the Nest: Members of the faculty and staff can now get “4,5,6 Meals” at the Eagle’s Nest. These options include the “Eagle Meals to Go” items, Bodacious Burgers, and Value Meals (special combos normally reserved just for students with meal plans). Details about this new offer and other dining tips for members of UMW’s faculty and staff are on the University Dining web site through the new Faculty and Staff Dining Tips tab. TIPS

For additional information contact University Dining Marketing Manager Rose Benedict, rbenedic@umw.edu or 540-654-2169.

Winter Business Services eUpdate

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Business Services

Bookstore

Store Open

The University Bookstore remains open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m, and Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Prior to February 1, anyone that wishes to shop in person will need to call the Bookstore’s main number, (540) 654-1017, once they arrive at the front doors of Lee Hall, and a staff member will let you in.

Sales

For current offers, visit the Bookstore’s homepage for the most up-to-date sales offerings: https://umw.bncollege.com/shop/umw/home.

Dining

University Dining in the New Year

Please welcome Chef David Schneider as Sodexo’s new General Manager for University Dining!

Read more about the University Dining Team at Spring 2021 Staff Update.

  • “Eagle Meals To Go” at the Eagle’s Nest Market!
  • Grubhub pre-ordering at every dining location!
  • Special promotions for UMW faculty and staff!
  • UMWTeams text group for faculty and staff!

Check out these special offers on our Faculty & Staff Info Page.

University Dining would like to thank everyone for the partnership and support through the Fall semester.  We look forward to the continued collaboration and success in the Spring semester.

– General Manager David Schneider and the University Dining team.

EagleOne

Return to Campus

The EagleOne Card Center staff will distribute EagleOne cards to new on-campus students when they move in on January 30-31, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cards can be picked up in the Card Center.

The Card Center will be open for walk-ins the first week of in-person classes, February 1-5. For the remainder of the semester, appointments can be requested for weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments can be made through the website or by emailing eagleone@umw.edu.

All times are subject to change. Visit the EagleOne website for the most up-to-date information.

Off Campus Merchants

Faculty and staff can use their EagleOne card at many off-campus locations. See the EagleOne website for complete listing.

Parking Management

Return to Campus

Beginning February 1, office hours for the 2021 spring semester will be by appointment weekdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Please call ahead at (540) 654-1129 to schedule an appointment.

Post Office

Inbound Mail

While campus remains under COVID-condition operations, non-USPS carriers will continue to be asked to drop off packages at the UMW Post Office rather than at offices. When packages are delivered to the Post Office, recipients will receive a notification from donotreply@iofficecorp.com when they are ready for pickup.

There are occasions when non-USPS carriers might deliver to a building or office instead of the Post Office. If you receive a package not intended for you or notice an unattended package in your building, contact us and we will make arrangements to get the package to the intended recipient.

Have you been expecting a package? Use the tracker: if it indicates that the package was delivered to the UMW Post Office, contact us and we will locate it for you. If it was delivered elsewhere, please contact the courier directly.

Outbound Mail

Outbound mail leaves campus daily at 4:30 pm. Exception: Saturday & Sunday

UMW retains 100% of the sales of non-postage mailing supplies purchased at the UMW Post Office.

Postage Increase

The USPS post office has announced a request for a postage rate increase.  If approved, the increase will go into effect Jan 24, 2021. Full information can be found here: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/1009-usps-announces-new-prices-for-2021.htm

Questions or concerns? Please reach out to 654-1049.

 

Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) Update

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Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) will be available for the duration of the Public Health Emergency declaration. Full-time employees may be eligible for up to 80 hours of PHEL beginning January 10th, the start of the new leave year (the 160 hours will end on January 9, 2021). Please note that the federal FFCRA leave expired on December 31, 2020.

 

Expanded WW, Weight Watchers Reimagined, Offerings Now Available

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Expanded WW, Weight Watchers Reimagined, Offerings Now Available

Dear State Employees:

Weight Watchers (WW) and the Commonwealth have a fantastic NEW partnership expanding a 50% discounted WW membership to all employees, spouses and adult dependents. Participation no longer requires enrollment in a state health plan or specific WW username.

WW’s customized program starts with a NEW personal assessment that gets to know the whole you, to give you an even more personalized weight loss plan. Plus, a holistic view of food, activity, and sleep for a plan that fits your lifestyle.

With WW, you’ll gain access to the Commonwealth’s private virtual WW Workshops where you and your colleagues will get weekly weight-loss guidance and support from a WW Coach.

To sign up or learn more, visit: WW.com/us/CommonHealth

All Commonwealth of Virginia employees, spouses, and adult dependents (18+) are eligible for an upfront 50% discounted WW membership.

The Special Monthly Pricing and The Commonwealth of Virginia discount per month is not open to retirees, their spouses and dependents, wage employees or The Local Choice members.

Interim Provost Job Announcement

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A message from the Office of the President.

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the pending retirement of Dr. Nina Mikhalevsky, Provost, I want to make you aware of the following opportunity:

Interim Provost Job Announcement

The University of Mary Washington is conducting an internal search for an interim Provost for the next two academic years, to begin on July 1, 2021. The individual chosen to serve in this role will lead the university through the next SACS-COC reaffirmation process scheduled to conclude in 2023.

The Provost is a key member of the President’s cabinet and is the chief academic officer reporting directly to the President. As the chief academic officer, the Provost is responsible for adapting and implementing an evolving vision for the university and for developing strategies to accomplish that vision.

The Deans of the College of Arts & Science, the College of Business and the College of Education report to the Provost. The Provost also oversees the offices of Academic Engagement and Student Success, Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment, Continuing and Professional Studies, University Museums, and University Library. Other key areas under the Provost’s supervision include the Office of Disability Resources, Academic Services, Office of the Registrar, Career and Professional Development, International Education and Study Abroad, the University Teaching Center and Digital Learning Support.

The Provost must be able to work collaboratively with faculty and staff effectively within the confines of shared governance. Toward that end, the Provost conducts oversight of all academic programs, curriculum, academic planning and budgets, and works closely with the Deans and the faculty to provide leadership of major university initiatives in teaching, research and creative activities. Working closely with faculty and staff, the Provost also has the responsibility of reviewing, improving, and enforcing all University educational and academic policies.

Reaffirming the university’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) is a top priority at this time, so this individual must have extensive experience with SACS and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Due to demographic shifts and changes in higher education accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this individual must have experience with budget and resource management at the university level.

Enrollment and student success continue to be a top priority for the university, so this individual must understand effective strategies to both recruit and retain students. These efforts include making academic programs resonate with prospective students and an understanding of the university’s collaboration with EAB in the development of an education data hub.

A successful candidate must have experience in institutional planning, management, accreditation, and program development.

This individual must have a demonstrated commitment to the university’s public liberal arts mission, strategic vision including diversity initiative (especially as it relates to faculty and staff recruitment and curriculum development), and community values (ASPIRE).

This person must have a terminal degree and demonstrate a record of academic accomplishment and scholarship that merits tenure and advanced Associate Professor or Full Professor rank.

To be considered, please submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three references to the President’s Office, Attention Dr. Jeffrey McClurken, Chief of Staff, jmcclurk@umw.edu by February 8, 2021.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact me at tpaino@umw.edu.

 

Sincerely,

Troy Paino
President

Change in External Funding Procedures

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To all UMW faculty and staff:

Established UMW policy is that all proposals for grants, fellowships, contracts, or agreements to be funded by ANY external funding entity (government, business, foundation, etc.) must receive prior approval from appropriate UMW officials BEFORE the proposal is submitted. To make this process work effectively, the person interested in seeking funding must make initial contact to indicate that a proposal is in the works.

Dr. John Morello has been the initial point of contact regarding prior approval for all external funding. Because John is retiring, we are making adjustments in this process. Effective immediately, all faculty members interested in submitting proposals to external funding sources should first contact the Associate Dean in their College to indicate their intention to seek external funding project support. All staff members should contact Julie Smith, Associate Vice President for Finance.

In cases where the institution’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the proposal on behalf of the institution, such as NSF grants and any federal grant processed through Grants.gov, Julie Smith is now serving as UMW’s AOR.

Individuals who have existing externally funded proposals should work with Julie Smith and Tony Dahm, Director of Accounting, to manage the financial or other administrative matters pertaining to those proposals.

Complete details about the procedures and policies governing external funding proposals are still found at the External Grants and Funding web site, which has been updated to reflect the necessary changes required to support the new procedures.

If you have any questions, please contact your Associate Dean (faculty), Julie Smith (staff) or me.

 

Nina Mikhalevsky

Provost