Carmen Sirizzotti, associate director in UNMC Human Resources and Title IX coordinator, feels blessed for the recognition as UNMC’s latest Gold U recipient and humbled at the same time.
An administrator in human resources with 20 years at UNMC, Sirizzotti said she recognizes she is in a leadership position, currently overseeing compensation staffing, records, HRIS and payroll and serving as Title IX coordinator.
But from her perspective, achievements are shared by her team.
“Everything we have achieved is because I have a great team,” Sirizzotti said, “and when the team is working in alignment with leadership, we get where we need to be.”
Sirizzotti, who will be recognized at today’s (Feb. 6) University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting, is credited for her outstanding leadership and longstanding impact at UNMC. In being nominated for the award, her nominator praised Sirizzotti’s meaningful, high-quality work that strengthened not only UNMC Human Resources – but systems, policies and the culture across UNMC.
Said Linda Cunningham, assistant vice chancellor and executive director for UNMC Human Resources: “Carmen has been deeply committed to UNMC HR for more than 20 years. Her leadership and deep policy expertise enhance the work we do across HR. She strengthens how the team operates by championing improvements that make our processes more efficient.”
Cunningham said Sirizzotti approaches every challenge with careful thought and analysis to support both her team and the people that UNMC Human Resources serves.
“The Gold U Award is well‑deserved and reflects the real difference Carmen makes every day,” Cunningham said.
Working closely with IT, Sirizzotti helped design and implement such programs as: UNeVal Performance Evaluations for staff and postdoctoral employees, the online College of Medicine Transitioning Employees Scholarship System, online Recurring and Additional Payments in ADIS, and the Personnel File Scanning Project, which transitioned employee records to electronic files in ADIS.
She has guided teams through regulatory and policy updates, including changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act, Nebraska’s minimum wage, I‑9 compliance requirements and the Voluntary FTE Reduction Policy.
She initiated UNMC’s participation in the Step‑Up program, which links teens and young adults with career exploration and job training opportunities. She also automated many HR processes and established the Title IX Office at UNMC, which investigates discrimination matters under Title IX and sex discrimination. She has done extensive training and education in this area with faculty, staff and students.
Sirizzotti came to UNMC in 2006 from the private sector, which she said changed her professional focus.
Today, she said she finds important meaning in UNMC’s education and research missions. She said she appreciates being able to help all the colleges and different units around UNMC.
“I’m here to serve them so that they can be successful in the different roles they have,” she said. “I find satisfaction when they’re succeeding.”
She also loves working with the students across UNMC – one of the most motivating parts of her job. “It has been a true, true gift.”