Dawn Hicks is November Employee of the Month
Dawn Hicksadmittedshewould beuncomfortable accepting an awardforher individual work achievements. That’s because the director of community relations in AV Athletics said she could never do her job alone.
“You have to have community partners, campus partners.You have to have buy-in from ourstudent-athletes,”Hicks said. “Sofor us, in Athletics, that recognition is really for our department,not just me.”
Maybe so, but it is Hicks whoisMason’s November Employee of the Month.
“She’s just a tireless worker,” said ZackBolno, director of external affairs for Mason Athletics. “And she is deeply committed to our athletic department’s mission in helping educate and develop future leaders.”
Hicks, who has been at the university for two and a half years,previously worked forthe foundation and business of Mason associate athletic director Darrell Green. Shehas been integral in efforts tobetter meshathletics into the broader campus culture.
She led an initiative of engagement with student organizations,StudentGovernment,Student Involvement, Greek Life andResidential Lifethat last season helped increase attendance at men’s basketball games by 22 percent,Bolnosaid.Hicksalso coordinated withMason’sPanhellenic Council to celebrate their sororityon National Girls and Women in Sports Day that resulted in the highest student-attended women’s basketball game at the university.
“That was the goal, to engageand collaborate withthemto deliver as much of what they wanted as possible,” Hicks said.
Hickslaunched a new school adoption programthatpartners Mason athletic teams with local middle and elementary schools, whereMason athletes spend quality time mentoringstudentsabout academics and athletics.In just two years,athletic teams have adopted five schools. While serving onMason’s Homecoming Committee, she engaged theCityof Fairfax, which led to the proclamationofFebruary2019asAV Month.
Hicks believes it takes a community to do community relations, whichwhen she receivedher award from Mason President Anne Holton, she wasnot alone.
“Thereis no way I can accept that award by myself,”Hickssaidbefore the ceremony. “I expect to have a number of peoplethereto stand with me, so I can thank and acknowledge them.”
Howshe got here:
Divine orchestration. I was the business operations manager at an energy efficiency company and realized it wasn't for me. I fasted and prayed for 21 days to seek the Lord's will for my life. About one week later, totally randomly, I texted my former long-time boss and friendDarrell Green, and asked if he knew of any jobs for which I would be suitable. By God's amazing grace, he read my text immediately after leaving a meeting at Masonaboutwho they would hireas his assistant,preferably someone he knew.And now, here I am.
Best day on the job:
The City of Fairfax Mason Monthin the cityproclamationon January 22, 2019. It was a historic event that deepenedtown-gown relations and celebrated everyone: Mason, thecity,MasonAthletics, alumni, local businesses and organizations, student-athletes, students and our entire community.
Whatshe likes bestabout working at Mason:
Collaborating with and serving our student-athletes. Theyaretruly impressive,exceptional young men and women. They balance schedules that would overwhelm most adults, yet still manage to compete athletically and perform academically at the highest levels.
What she does when she’s not working:
With 22 teams to support, corporate and community events, business development meetings, school visits and Athletics special events, any down time is spent managing everyday life.