The Executive Committee of UVA’s Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group (BFS-ERG) recently selected Georgette Msambo, McIntire Associate Director for Graduate Admissions, for its annual Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Award.
Msambo earned the honor given to a University staff member who “actively and enthusiastically seeks to promote greater diversity to the UVA community” and “demonstrates a record of promoting forward thinking and new ideas,” as expressed by the BFS-ERG.
Having come to Grounds from Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania as an undergraduate student, Msambo enrolled in the School of Architecture. She joined its staff 14 years ago as an Academic Services Coordinator and then transitioned to a position with the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, which she held until she became part of the Commerce School’s Graduate Marketing & Admissions team in early 2015. Since starting at McIntire, she has been promoted twice, first to Assistant Director and then to her current role as Associate Director, which she assumed in June 2021.
Msambo’s coworkers who nominated her for the BFS-ERG award are impressed by the commitment she demonstrates to her role and by her ability to find solutions and streamline processes that best serve the School. They are equally grateful for her efforts to foster connections with colleagues and prospective graduate students alike.
A Caring Presence
Judi Byers, Executive Director of Graduate Marketing & Admissions, says that as a member of the Admissions Committee, Msambo actively and enthusiastically champions candidates from historically underrepresented groups during the application process, while advocating for them in each incoming class.
Cathy Fox, McIntire’s Director of Graduate Admissions, agrees. “She has a wonderful way of helping her colleagues see the unique characteristics and contributions of each person.”
In addition to recognizing Msambo’s skills as an insightful problem solver and open-minded collaborator who helped to improve processes and systems during her team’s significant recent reorganization, Fox says her colleague’s abilities run much deeper.
“Georgette is a person who truly cares about others, and this is evident in the supportive relationships that she develops with a number of students in our M.S. in Accounting, M.S. in Commerce, and M.S. in Global Commerce programs,” she says. Fox points out she seems to have a knack for identifying those who need a little extra support as well: “Her warmth, openness, and inclusiveness encourage them to seek her advice.”
Clarifying that Msambo’s interactions with students would be expected if she worked on the student support team or was part of a formal mentoring program, Fox says that, rather, “she simply chooses to quietly fulfill the role of mentor for a number of students while setting an example of kindness and support for all of her colleagues.”
M.S. in Accounting Program Director Andrea Alston Roberts, who also credits Msambo for her professionalism, notes that in guiding prospective students through the application and admission processes, she forms deep connections with many international students. “Maybe because she was one herself or because she speaks four plus languages,” Roberts posits.
But that is only part of the story.
“By way of the process, once students arrive on Grounds, they are no longer the responsibility of Graduate Admissions. But, because of the M.S. in Accounting Program’s lack of racial diversity, our Black, Brown, and international students seek out community where they can find it. And because of Georgette’s honesty, caring, and spirit, they seek out Georgette,” Roberts says, calling the service she provides to students essential. “As a program director, who spends much time with these students myself, I am beyond thankful that she is in the building.”
An Unwavering Commitment to Others
For her part, Msambo truly enjoys her work making the student journey more seamless and guiding prospective students through the McIntire graduate admissions process.
“I find it especially rewarding when I’m still able to connect with them once they have fully enrolled into one of our programs. It’s also wonderful to see the fruits of their efforts when they visit me and share positive news about job placements and how they are succeeding in life,” she says.
When she discovered that she was chosen to receive the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Award, Msambo recalls that she was pleasantly surprised, having just returned to the message after vacation.
Byers insists that Msambo has been an important, positive, and forward-thinking presence and more. “Georgette consistently develops solutions to simple and complex problems,” Byers says. “She is also kind, patient, and a delight to work with.”
Msambo reflects those qualities in the ethos and attitude she brings with her to McIntire.
“Every day, I look for ways to encourage prospective and current students to recognize their own valuable contributions as members of the University community and beyond,” she says. “I am truly thankful that I have been recognized amongst my colleagues and peers across Grounds.”
About the Lincoln Vernon Lewis Staff Award
Named after Dr. Lincoln V. Lewis, the first adviser to the president’s office on equal opportunity and affirmative action matters, the award honors the man who devoted his career to equal opportunity in academia, particularly in promoting a racially, ethnically, and culturally inclusive staff at UVA.
