NCU boasts boss, admin professional of the year

Faculty and staff at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) have been beaming with pride since learning that their colleagues have been selected All-Island Boss and All-Island Administrative Professional for 2011.

Elaine Oxamendi Vicet, acting chair of the Communication Studies Department, and Joyce Malcolm-Hewitt, administrative assistant in the Records Department, were adjudged winners at a brunch held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, on Sunday.

"I feel blessed and highly favour," said an elated Oxamendi Vicet. "I am grateful and humbled at the same time for the selection. I look forward to the year ahead and pledge my support to the cause of the association where I will be able to make a contribution to the civic projects and training and development opportunities planned."

Oxamendi Vicet is a trained public relations practitioner with more than 15 years' experience in both public relations and human resources within the corporate and tourism sectors. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with economics and history at the baccalaureate level and communications in the master's programme. She also holds a postgraduate diploma in marketing from Florida International University, and is the author of the book FAICE Inside OUT - An Anthology of Poetic Works.

a celebratory Week precursor

The annual competition, which is organised by the Jamaica Association of Administrative Professionals, formerly Jamaica Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals, is a precursor to Administrative Professionals Week, which will be celebrated worldwide from April 24-30. This year's theme is 'Administrative Professionals - Equipped for the Tasks ... Ready to Achieve'.

"I am very proud of her," said Charmaine Dixon, Oxamendi Vicet's administrative assistant. "She is articulate, a people person, fun to be around, and is also flexible and approachable. What I admire most is her willingness to see to the professional development of her staff. We are blessed to have her in this department."

Malcolm-Hewitt said she felt "excited and elated" at receiving her award.

"It is a fulfilling experience. It was something I had always hoped for and I accept the responsibilities with humility," she said. "I am always of the opinion that whatever one puts one's mind to achieve, one can do it."

Three bosses representing Manchester, Kingston and St James, and four administrative professionals representing Manchester, Kingston, St Ann, and St James, competed.