Phillip Bivens, financial officer in the Office of the Vice Provost for Administration and Quality Improvement, knows numbers. He helps groups manage budgets. He can also be found tallying votes at the Miss UAB Scholarship Pageant, attending a UAB basketball game or helping students on freshmen move-in day. His co-workers say he always keeps students in mind.
“Although he does not work directly with students, he gets it,” said Tracy Lyons, director of TRIO Academic Services/Student Support Services. “Phillip remembers being a student and always tries to help departments make the best budgetary decisions that will help the students.”
For his patience, ability to teach and hard work, Bivens has been named Employee of the Month for October. Bivens, a UAB alumnus, has worked at UAB for nearly 18 years.
“At the end of the day, I know what I am doing impacts students,” Bivens said. “From recruiting them, to retaining them, to helping them graduate and knowing, in some small way, I contribute to their success at UAB is one of the reasons I enjoy my job.”
Bivens’s role has changed during his time at UAB; he started in the UAB Bookstore before moving to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and then to his current position.
“Having co-workers who I enjoy working with and the seeing the compassion they show for their job is a rewarding experience for me,” Bivens said. “It drives me to help them in any way to be successful in their job.”
Carolyn Farley, director of Academic and Student Services Operations, said she admires his persistence when dealing with significant projects.
| Each month, UAB recognizes an outstanding employee for their dedication, hard work and contributions to the university’s success. If you know of a great employee, you can learn how to nominate them for this recognition at uab.edu/humanresources. |
“He has accomplished a great deal on one such project this year, but requires very little in the way of recognition for his efforts,” Farley said. “Ultimately, his work to streamline a payment process will result in a significant improvement in collections made for our catering operation.”
Suzanne Austin, Ph.D., vice provost for student and faculty success, credits Bivens’s knowledge and experience with helping to launch the Center for Teaching and Learning and the UAB Academic Success Center.
“His work ethic is amazing,” Austin said. “You will find him at his desk very early each morning, and he stays until he gets the job done.”
Outside work, Bivens loves to travel, work out and read non-fiction. Most of all, he said, he’s proud to see UAB’s transformation during the past 20 years.
“It makes me proud to be a Blazer,” Bivens said.
