Giovanni Jones’ sister once told her, “Not everyone is like you. Not everyone wakes up happy to go to work.” But Jones loves what she’s doing and is, she said, living with purpose.
As manager of employee training and development within UNMC Human Resources, Jones is responsible for HR employee training and development, a role she’s held since 2017.
As manager, she singlehandedly plans, develops, coordinates and evaluates the employee training and development program, called “Re-Imagining U.” This ensures that each year, UNMC employees are offered two semesters of professional development courses.
Before coming to UNMC for the first time in 2007 to coordinate the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program, she was a Lincoln Public Schools teacher. After earning her master’s degree in educational administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she left UNMC and returned as coordinator of the Interprofessional Education Program in academic affairs.
Jones was convinced that returning to UNMC was her purpose, and she applied for this position three times in five years. Jones said she would joke and say UNMC wasn’t ready for her, but she came to realize she wasn’t ready.
But she’s ready now.
“I knew this was my job but thought at first the timing just wasn’t right,” Jones said. “But the thing about purpose is that I’ve learned to better understand timing. There were skill sets I needed to hone and lessons to learn to help me help others.”
Jones said the most rewarding aspect of her work is collaboration across campus and within the university system, as well as providing quality programming educational programs and events. Another is that she is given the space to use her full capacity of creativity, not only with ideas but with the budget.
“You’ve got to be creative with it; it’s the way I grew up. I didn’t realize as a child, there were things I needed, and I got them and didn’t really reflect on what it took for that to happen,” Jones said. “So being on the other side of it, I want to be fiscally responsible.”
To Jones, that sometimes means creating something out of nothing, using her talents to direct people into funding a project by sharing resources or convincing people to participate when their fee is over budget. She has met this challenge by learning to be comfortable with negotiating.
Her tenacity, creativity and innate joy are just a few of the attributes that earned Jones the Gold U award. Her nominator called her a “true shining star” and applauded her energy, commitment and work, which consistently exceeds expectations.
Jones credits several leaders and mentors who have helped her along the way, including Linda Cunningham, associate director of UNMC Human Resources, and Kelly Caverzagie, MD, associate dean for educational strategy and learning environment in the UNMC College of Medicine.
“I am appreciative of so many, and there’s no better way to thank them and let them know their confidence in me was not misplaced but to continue to do the things that I’ve set out to do and honor the iTEACH values.”
During the pandemic, Jones spearheaded “Virtual Values Week,” which provided an opportunity for the UNMC community to not only strengthen their commitment and understanding of the UNMC ITEACH Values, but also inspire, re-energize and encourage one another along the way.
“Virtual Values Week was one of the more rewarding programs because so many people from different parts of campus contributed, and it also showcased the diversity of skills and knowledge at UNMC,” Jones said. “We were able to showcase people who wouldn’t normally step up from behind the desk.”
She said an additional benefit was to help people who were perhaps feeling isolated during the pandemic.
“People were feeling a lot of things at that time because there was just so much going on and so much we did not know, and to be able to just have a moment to exhale, just to breathe and have a little fun was so needed.”
Jones said she is honored to win the Gold U Award.
“Expressions of gratitude show up differently, and when someone takes the time to write out a recommendation for an award, it means so much because time is precious, and we often don’t have enough of it,” Jones said. “So for someone to take the limited time they have and use it to shower love and light on me — I don’t take that lightly.”
Congratulations on this outstanding recognition Gio! Well deserved and thank you for your invaluable contribution to the success of the university. You make every room brighter when you walk into it!
Congratulations!
Congratulations well deserved!
Congratulations, Giovanni!! Such a well deserved award. It’s always good to see your smiling face when we cross paths on campus.
Congratulations Giovanni on being recognized for your great contributions to UNMC, you are a radiant light for us all !
Congratulations Giovanni. The award is well deserved.
Oh my gosh, I was thrilled when Giovanni received this honor. She is the best! Happy! Smiling! AND always helpful. 🙂 Thank you Giovanni for being a shinning light!
Well deserved, Giovanni…well deserved!
Congratulations!
Congrats Giovanni- very well deserved!!!
Congratulations, Giovanni!!
Congratulations!!
CONGRATULATIONS GIOVANNI! Well deserved.
Congratulations Giovanni!! You definably deserve it!!
Congratulations, Giovanni!! Well deserved, indeed.
Congratulations Giovanni!
Congratulations! Your excitement and joy are infectious and know that you positively affect those you encounter. A well deserved honor!
Congratulations!! How awesome! Thank you for all of your hard work and continued contributions to the campus.
Congratulations, Giovanni! Excited for this recognition of your hard work!
Congratulations Giovanni!!!
Congratulations!!!! We are so fortunate to have you here.
Great job Gio, love you much
Congratulations!!! This is an amazing honor that is well deserved!
Congratulations Giovanni! Very well deserved!!
Love this – congrats, Giovanni!
Congratulations, Giovanni!!! We are so incredibly proud of you! Thank you for all you do for UNMC and for all you do in your work with our Human Resources team! Your energy and impact are extraordinary!
Congratulations Gio! So proud of you!!
Wonderful well deserved accomplishment Gio! Keep pushing success is your diamond continue to shine!
Congratulation Giovanni!
Congratulations, Giovanni!
A deserved honor, indeed!
Totally deserved! A wonderful coworker and person! Congratulations, Giovanni!!!
Congratulations Gio, you deserve everything that you are being blessed with and more
Congratulations Giovanni!! This is wonderful!
Many many very sincere congratulations Giovanni! You are truly a jewel and an asset to UNMC faculty, staff and students!
Thanks for being salt and light. You are an inspiration and contribute greatly to great health care and so much more.
Congratulations cousin. So glad your preserverance paid off. You are a great inspiration to every generation, previous and those coming after you.
Congratulations!!
A well-deserved honor to an amazing person and colleague. Congratulations Giovanni!