With a smile and extensive knowledge, Anya Michael named GTCC employee of the month for October

October 2021 GTCC Employee of the Month Anya Michael

Anya Michael always greets students with a huge, genuine smile. And that’s just the beginning of her graciousness.

As Guilford Technical Community College’s assistant director of student success and retention services, Michael strives to make students at ease as she helps guide them through a myriad of questions and problems. For her tireless, but cheerful work ethic, Michael has been named GTCC’s employee of the month for October.

Michael’s employee-of-the-month nominator worked alongside her at times in the Advising Center this past summer. She was stunned and impressed by what she witnessed.

“Day after day I watched her answer a non-stop flow of student, faculty, advisor, and employee questions with absolutely zero frustration,” recalled her nominator. “With zero exaggeration, I would estimate she was asked no less than 200 questions in the few hours I worked with her each day of the week.

“I cannot imagine how many problems she solved, errors she fixed or students she helped register and advise over the course of the month of August.”

In addition to her smile and cheerfulness, Michael is armed with an extensive knowledge of the GTCC academic programs, requirements and protocols that help her sort-out complex problems without bending to the pressure.

“These public-facing positions can be hard on staff, yet somehow she manages to make it look effortless, all the while helping guide a team of highly-skilled staff who assist students with all enrollment, registration, financial, and academic needs,” said her nominator.

“I can testify to the fact that she has been there to guide and encourage students to keep moving forward. I’m not sure how she does it, but I hope she knows how important she is to the GTCC mission.”