10/26/06

 

Cheryl L. Cook, a graduate student in the School of Divinity at Howard University, was named the 2006 National Staffing Employee of the Year by the American Staffing Association (ASA).

ASA receives nominations from its member firms and the person selected is the one who best exemplifies the five key messages which are jobs, flexibility, bridge, choice and training, said Reem El-Khatib, public relations coordinator at ASA.

In a press release dated October 10 2006, Richard Wahlquist, president and CEO of ASA said, We salute Cheryl and the nearly three million temporary and contract employees who are on assignments every day.

Cook feels more than just proud of being one in three million.  I am still pinching myself. You look at people you work with and say - this could have been anyone.  she said.  I am extremely honored, and blessed.

Cook, who is working on her masters degree in divinity, has three passions: community involvement, culture and religion. Her ultimate plan is to be obedient to God.

That is why I am at the Divinity School, she says.

After graduation, Cook hopes to use her degree in public administration to teach.

I want to build a curriculum around my three passions: community involvement, culture and religion. Leadership and development within the Black church are other themes - using the masters of divinity as a jumping point, Cook says.

She currently holds workshops for cultural competence in Fairfax County, Virginia. She helps different groups deal with conflict, religious pluralism and cultural diversity.

My passion is the thing I do on the side. When communities say we have this problem with gangs or youths are not going to school - it is work, but it is a change you will see, Cook said.   

Her workshops bring people together.  It is a small thing but it makes a big difference. People will say I will never talked to my neighbor, but because of your workshop.

Cook currently holds the position as director of E-GOALS at the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Cook develops online measurement systems that allow the department to survey people, including Howard students, all over the world on their experiences abroad.

The pre-survey examines what people know [about other places] or what they hope to learn, Cook said.   The follow-survey shows that exchange programs are changing the way people think. We collect data to demonstrate the impact they are having.

Cook adds that the surveys save taxpayers money because they are not done on paper. The surveys are also  currently being translated into several languages.

People at the State Department, especially at ABBTECH (the firm that she works for), have been extremely supportive, team and staff.

As a busy woman, Cheryl does not have much spare time--especially since she holds workshops on the side, but when she does have some down time she does one of her favorite things.

I love to read, particularly non-fiction. The last thing I read was Mitch Album - Five People You Meet in Heaven, Cook said.  She also enjoys historical narratives.  I am one of those people who read several books at a time, she says. In addition to this, she likes going to art shows.

Whether it is an interview, someone sending flowers or preparing for her trip to Las Vegas on November 9, where she will be honored at a luncheon during Staffing World 2006, Sheryl Cook is a woman on a mission.

Of all the excitement she says,  It iss a lot of pieces to it - but it is a good thing. I am just thankful.