Two Warrington staff honored with Superior Accomplishment Award
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Warrington College of Business is proud to announce Michelle Helmer and John Laibson as winners of University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Awards in Division 3.
The Superior Accomplishment Awards recognize UF staff members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service, efficiency and/or economy, or to the quality of life provided to students and employees. Staff are nominated by their peers.
Michelle Helmer is Director of Outreach Programs in Warrington’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. She has worked at the University of Florida since 1999 and with Warrington since 2006. Prior to her role in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, Helmer worked in the UF MBA program in admissions and marketing communications. Helmer received her BSBA from UF in 1997.
“Michelle is the engine that drives all of our programs that help students and members of our community be more entrepreneurial,” staff at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center said. “She strives to provide a world-class experience to every participant in every program and is highly deserving of this award. Congratulations, Michelle!”
John Laibson has a long history of providing student support and administrative leadership to various programs at the University of Florida. He started in the College of Medicine, and then moved to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The majority of his time has been spent in the Warrington College of Business, where he was Director of Student Services for the Executive and Professional MBA Programs, and Director of the UF Online Business Program. Currently, he serves as Director of Degree Programs for the Fisher School of Accounting, where his primary responsibilities include managing the operations of undergraduate and graduate accounting programs, tracking assurance of learning data for accreditation and academic advising for graduate accounting students.
Laibson earned both his degrees at UF – a Bachelor of Science with majors in Psychology and Mathematics, and a Master of Education with a major in Mathematics Education. After completing an internship teaching high school students, Laibson quickly discovered that college would be a better place for him to work. He took a brief break from higher education administration and spent four and a half years as a Realtor®, during which he particularly enjoyed helping first-time home buyers.
“John is efficient and precise in his role at the Fisher School,” said Gary McGill, Associate Dean and Director of the Fisher School of Accounting. “But what makes him extremely valuable to the University is his ability to do all this while also being a caring and thoughtful person who gives everyone he deals with – students, staff, and faculty – his complete attention.
“I am excited and honored to learn that I’ve been selected to receive a Superior Accomplishment Award,” Laibson said. “I have always done my best to help make this university the best it can be. It’s incredibly rewarding to have my efforts recognized.”
