I am honored to announce my appointment as the Acting Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability, and Risk (ESSR). Since joining the University of Maryland in 2010, I have had the distinct privilege of contributing to the university's mission of excellence. My journey began as the Radiation Safety Officer, where I gained invaluable experience in ensuring the safe and responsible use of radioactive materials. Subsequently, as the Associate Director of the Office of Research Safety, I expanded my focus to encompass a broader range of research safety concerns, including chemical, biological, and laboratory safety. This experience provided me with a deep understanding of the unique safety challenges faced by our Principal Investigators and researchers and supported a strong foundation for effectively addressing them.
I am deeply committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for all members of our university community and I look forward to collaborating closely with faculty, staff, and students. I am particularly grateful for the many safety champions across our campus – University Leadership, faculty, staff, and students who consistently prioritize safety and inspire others to do the same. Their dedication and leadership are essential to creating a truly safe and healthy environment for everyone. .
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to each and every member of the ESSR team. Their expertise and dedication to safety are invaluable to the success of our department and the well-being of our entire university community. Together, we will continue to advance our strategic priorities:
- Thought Leadership: Building strong relationships and fostering trust and support for ESSR initiatives.
- Performance Excellence: Proactively promoting safety and health best practices to protect the UMD community.
- Culture of Safety: Integrating safety into the daily work and learning environments of the UMD community.
- Carbon Neutrality: Leading and providing expertise in achieving net carbon neutrality.
- Service Excellence: Delivering high-quality customer service while continuously seeking ways to improve.
I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and, while fulfilling this new role. I am committed to making 2025 a year of success, growth, and continued excellence for ESSR.
Sincerely,
Mary