Team-oriented and encouraging, with a natural gift for customer service, are just a few ways that Olga O鈥橞rien鈥檚 peers choose to describe her. The interim general manager for the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center has been selected as 亚洲AV鈥檚 March Employee of the Month.
O鈥橞rien was nominated by Amanda Meiklejohn, recreation program manager for the Freedom Center, who says that O鈥橞rien demonstrates Mason鈥檚 core values each day in her work and leadership.
鈥淪he is the most honest and respectful supervisor I have ever had, and I truly feel honored to have the opportunity to work with her each day. I am always learning something new from her,鈥 Meiklejohn said.
O鈥橞rien鈥檚 career with George Mason began when she moved to Fairfax from Prague in 1996 as an international student with a volleyball scholarship. She pursued a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physical education and health and graduated in 2001. O鈥橞rien began working at the Freedom Center part-time as a volleyball instructor in 1999 before becoming the center鈥檚 programs specialist and, later, programs manager.
During this time, she developed the Freedom Center鈥檚 annual summer camp program, which provides various camps for children from the community. The program has grown immensely during the past 17 years with more than 500 children enrolled weekly. According to O鈥橞rien, more than 60 percent of the campers come back and serve as camp counselors when they are old enough.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really great to see that we made an impact on them as children, and they came back as young adults and want to provide the same experience for the children in return,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e found that very encouraging and rewarding.鈥
O鈥橞rien stepped in as interim general manager more than a year ago, and Ronald L. Carmichael, director of Administration and Operations for the Science and Technology Campus, says that she has been 鈥渟tellar鈥 in this role.
鈥淪he is a selfless contributor and team player who works countless hours to complete her projects, as well as assisting others in the accomplishment of their goals,鈥 Carmichael said.
Between her work responsibilities and recent enrollment in Mason鈥檚 master鈥檚 program in recreation administration, O鈥橞rien finds time to engage in her passion for volleyball as a coach for both children and adults at the Freedom Center, which she now calls her second home.
鈥淚 love to give back and share the knowledge that I have because if we as teachers don鈥檛 share our knowledge, then what is our future going to look like?鈥 O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淲e need to share our skills and expertise.鈥
O鈥橞rien will be formally presented with this award by President 脕ngel Cabrera in the Community Room at the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Science and Technology Campus at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. Her family, co-workers and friends are all encouraged to attend the ceremony. Those who are unable to attend can watch the Facebook livestream at .