DOVER, Del. — The Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy, in collaboration with the University of Delaware, announces the opening of the annual Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition. The showcase, featuring portraits by Delaware Artist, Theresa Walton, pays homage to outstanding Delaware women and marks the start of Women’s History Month in March.

This unique collaboration with the University of Delaware reflects a commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive space to honor the legacy of remarkable Delaware women. The exhibition, open from March 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025, will display 169 watercolor portraits, capturing the essence of these influential women and their collective impact on the state.

“The University of Delaware is proud to be working with the state to host this exhibition and pay homage to these pioneers, all of whom have been key figures in the formation and positive transformation of the First State,” said Dennis Assanis, President of the University of Delaware. “These women serve as exemplars and role models for our students, who after graduation will make their own mark on the world. While the opening of this exhibition commemorates Women’s History Month, the University is always committed to advancing equity, promoting inclusion, and recognizing the achievements of women.”

“The Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the diverse accomplishments of Delaware’s women. This collaboration with the University of Delaware provides a platform to honor the trailblazers who have shaped our state’s history and continue to inspire positive change in our communities,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy.

Established in 1981, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of outstanding Delaware women from across various fields. From artists to athletes to community advocates and scientists, members represent diverse backgrounds. Nominees, irrespective of age, must have made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans, and resided in the state for at least 10 years during their lifetime.

The 2023 honorees, which include two University of Delaware professors, showcase the breadth of accomplishment within the state. They are as follows:

• Patricia Dailey Lewis: Current CEO of the Beau Biden Foundation and former Deputy Attorney General with the Delaware Department of Justice.
• Bonnie Meszaros: Assistant professor of economics at the University of Delaware, an advocate for economics and personal finance education, and associate director of the UD Center for Economics Education and Entrepreneurship.
• Paulette Sullivan Moore: Delaware’s first African American female attorney, dedicated to addressing the needs of domestic violence victims. She also served as the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds from 1990 – 1994.
• Leslie Newman: Former CEO of Children and Families First for over a decade, and chairperson for the Delaware Community Foundation’s COVID-19 grant award committee, providing vital assistance to Delaware nonprofits during the pandemic.
• Lynn Snyder-Mackler: Celebrated physical therapist and sports medicine researcher, instrumental in making the University of Delaware’s Physical Therapy Graduate Program the top-ranked program in the country.

Event Details:

Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition
Date: March 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Time: Monday-Friday 8:30am- 5pm
Location: Alfred Lerner Hall Atrium, 20 Orchard Rd, Newark, DE 19716

Note: The space may occasionally close for booked events. Plan your visit by contacting Lerner College of Business & Economics at 302-831-8163.

The public is invited to attend and explore this celebration of Delaware’s trailblazing women. The exhibition extends beyond the physical space, with an online showcase on the Office of Women’s and Advancement’s website, featuring all inductees and their accomplishments.

Applications for the 2024 Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame are open through March 28, 2024, and can be found at de.gov/women.

Sponsors: The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and the University of Delaware collaborated to organize the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Art Exhibition. The exhibition receives support from the Delaware Department of Human Resources and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee. Additional support is offered, in part, through a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Explore Delaware arts events at www.DelawareScene.com.

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DOVER, Del. — Implementing a strategic state government workforce recruitment campaign highlighting higher salaries, employee benefits and signing bonuses, the Delaware Department of Human Resources (DHR) set new records the past two years hiring and promoting state employees.

In calendar year 2023, 4,516 state employees were hired and promoted, which is a 22 percent increase since the start of the Carney Administration in 2017. State government workforce hiring, and promotions also set a record in 2022, with nearly 4,000 state employees being hired, re-hired, and promoted.

“In this very tight labor market coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, DHR implemented an aggressive marketing campaign to promote state job openings, posting a record 4,500 job openings in 2023 on the state employment website, strategically advertising these jobs on social media sites, and significantly increasing our presence at job fairs in Delaware and surrounding states,” said Claire DeMatteis, DHR Secretary. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Carney and the overwhelming support of the General Assembly, their priority of higher, more competitive state salaries and incentive bonuses have helped the state set hiring and promotion records the past two years.”

Due to the increased marketing efforts and competitive state salaries, applications for state jobs have increased by an average of 20 percent per month this past year, with monthly applications increasing some months by 35-37 percent.

In 2022, DHR launched a robust multi-year media campaign to recruit for high-demand positions and emphasizing the state’s generous benefits, including health benefits, retirement plans and flexible work schedules. The jobs campaign highlighted increased salaries, proposed by Governor Carney, and passed by the General Assembly, for state merit employees not covered under a collective bargaining agreement. State employees received an average salary increase of 12 percent in FY 2023 and 2024, with those at the lower end of the pay scale receiving up to an 18 percent increase. Since FY 2017, state employee salaries have increased by an average of 31 percent.

DHR also reviewed and updated job descriptions for over 3,000 positions, eliminated the bachelor’s degree requirement for hundreds of state positions, conducted pay equity reviews for 1,700 state positions, assessed 235 classification requests, and established 132 new state positions.

DHR’s recruitment initiatives reflect the department’s commitment to its centralization, modernization, and recruitment efforts. Interested applicants can explore career opportunities with the State of Delaware at https://statejobs.delaware.gov.

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Championing Causes, Transforming Lives: Delaware Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply to the SECC

DOVER, Del.— The State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (SECC) Steering Committee invites Delaware nonprofit organizations to submit an application to participate in the 2024 campaign. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2024.

In partnership with the United Way of Delaware, the SECC is the primary charitable platform for state employees and retirees to give back to their communities by supporting Delaware nonprofit organizations that provide services to families, children, and adults. In the 2023 SECC, state employees provided much-needed funding to 156 charitable organizations. The 2024 SECC runs September 1 through October 31, 2024.

“Year after year, state employees have demonstrated they are generous with their time and contributions to the SECC,” said Governor John Carney. “Over the past seven years, I have been committed to building on the success of the State Employees’ Charitable Campaign. We are determined to make the 2024 campaign the most impactful one yet.”

Secretary of the Department of Human Resources, Claire DeMatteis, who serves as Chair of the SECC, said, “I encourage nonprofit organizations in our state to continue to participate in this annual charitable campaign so we can reach even more Delawareans who need our support.”

Interested charities must submit their application by 11:59 p.m. on, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Access the application here. To learn if your organization is eligible to participate, please review the information on the Resources for Charities page of the SECC website.

For more information, contact Anna Davis, Statewide SECC Coordinator, by email at SECC@delaware.gov or call (302) 735-6300.

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DOVER, Del. (May 11, 2023) —With the implementation of the new Marijuana and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy, the use of marijuana in all its forms is prohibited in all state-owned, operated and leased buildings, along with the previously prohibited use of alcohol and other controlled substances.

The new policy, effective May 3, 2023, demonstrates the state’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a workplace free of substance use and misuse.

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) implemented the new policy in response to the enactment of:

• House Bill 1, which maintains that consuming marijuana in an area accessible to the public or in a moving vehicle remains unlawful, and
• House Bill 2, which expressly allows an employer who occupies, owns, or controls a property to prohibit or otherwise regulate the possession, consumption, use, display, transfer, distribution, sale, transportation, or growing of marijuana on or in that property.

The state’s Marijuana and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy requires all executive branch employees to acknowledge and adhere to the policy. The policy allows state agencies to issue supplemental, more restrictive alcohol and drug-free policies to comply with federal and state laws. The policy explicitly states that violations, including the use of, or impairment by, alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances in the workplace, will not be tolerated, and that state employees who violate the policy may face disciplinary action or dismissal.

“State policies make it very clear that state employees and visitors to state buildings may not use marijuana in any form, smoke cigarettes, or be under the influence of alcohol or any other dangerous drugs in or around state facilities,” said DHR Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “We want to be very clear that such behavior will not be tolerated.”

To inform employees of the new policy, the State of Delaware has outlined the following notification and training guidelines:

• Current employees were notified on May 10^th to read and acknowledge the policy through the Delaware Learning Center, which is the state’s established online learning platform.
• Newly hired employees will receive the policy upon hire and must acknowledge it within 30 days.
• Executive branch agencies must post a copy of this policy in a conspicuous workplace location, including links on relevant websites.
• Employees must attend required training as assigned.

With this policy effective for the 16 state executive branch agencies, non-executive branch agencies are encouraged to adopt and administer the policy to maintain consistency across state government.

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State employees recognized for excellence and commitment to public service

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed a proclamation announcing May 7-13, 2023 as Public Service Recognition Week. Beginning on the first Sunday of May, the week is devoted to recognizing and paying tribute to government employees who provide valuable services to Delawareans while keeping the public sector running smoothly. The Governor, together with members of his Cabinet and the state’s business community, will acknowledge the outstanding work of state employees and honor our exceptional public servants through a series of videos released each day.

 

“We are fortunate to have devoted state employees that are dedicated to the people of Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “Even after navigating through a really challenging time during the pandemic, they continue to provide an exceptional level of service that keeps our state running well. I’m thrilled to recognize some of our employees with awards thanks to a partnership with our business community. Thank you to all our public servants for their hard work and making Delaware a great state to live and work.”

 

“State employees rock,” said Department of Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “They show up day in and day out no matter how difficult the job, demonstrating grit, grace, determination and compassion. I am proud to be a state employee and serve alongside so many committed professionals.”

 

During Public Service Recognition Week, individuals and teams of state employees will be honored for their excellence and commitment to public service during the 2022 calendar year. This includes recognizing employees who identified creative new ways to provide state services, as well as those who exhibited acts of heroism and courage.

 

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

 

• Tuesday, May 9 – Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service
• Wednesday, May 10 – Governor’s Team Excellence Award (Commitment Award, Champions Award)
• Thursday, May 11 – GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award and GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award
• Friday, May 12 – Delaware Award for Heroism

 

Recognition videos will premiere each day at 11:00 a.m. on youtube.com/johncarneyde.

 

Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

The Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award is presented to up to five State of Delaware employees, or small groups of up to five employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

• Angela Foraker, Department of Health and Social Services
• Nadeim Ghoryani, Department of Technology and Information
• Robin Jenkins, Judicial Branch
• Lisa Tingle, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
• Linda Velott, Department of Finance

 

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This award category includes the GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

 

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. The recipients of this year’s award are:

• Shoreline and Waterway Management Section-Beach Crew – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
• Consumer Reporting Form Re-Platforming Team – Department of Health and Social Services
• DMV on the Go – Department of Transportation

 

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produce tangible results, and increase efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

 

• Bridge Buprenorphine Induction Program Team – Department of Health and Social Services
• Gun Violence Intervention Delaware Operations Team – Department of Health and Social Services; Department of Correction; Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families; Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and Department of Justice
• Casho Mill Road Clankers Team – Department of Transportation

 

GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award honors teams that not only use continuous improvement tools to achieve outstanding results but also develop innovative designs and processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. The recipients of this year’s award are:

 

• Restore the Corridor Team – Department of Transportation
• Delaware Relief Rebate Team – Department of Finance

 

GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award provides special recognition for individuals or small teams of employees who implement projects that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of State government. These recipients are acknowledged for using continuous improvement tools to develop innovative processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are impactful, sustainable, and adaptable to other areas of government.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

• Brian Calio, Department of Health and Human Services
• DLC Portal Team, Department of Human Resources – Darlene Hicken-Gott, Ashley Kavanagh and James Robinson
• Tonia Muncey, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
• Larry Trunfio, Department of Human Resources
• James T. Vaughn American Correctional Association Accreditation Team – Department of Correction – Kara Austin, Renee Gutowski Chelsey Pernic, Damaris Slawik, and Michael Trader

 

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award and the GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award were made possible through the support of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community. Private sector contributors include Bank of America, Corporation Service Company (CSC), Delmarva Power, Highmark BCBS Delaware, JP Morgan Chase Bank, M&T Bank, The Precisionists Inc. (TPI), W.L. Gore & Associates, and WSFS Bank.

 

“As chairman of the Governor’s Efficiency & Accountability Review (GEAR) P3 Taskforce for Governor Carney’s GEAR initiative, I am thrilled that the private sector, with the strong backing of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, has partnered again with The State of Delaware on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Governor’s Innovation & Efficiency, and Trailblazer Awards. This program is a terrific step toward better government, and in recognizing state employees and teams on outstanding accomplishments,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists (TPI).

 

Delaware Award for Heroism

The Delaware Award for Heroism, established in 2013, recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2022 recipients are:

 

• Van Adams and Trevor McColley, Department of Transportation
• Jeffrey Hansen and Timothy McCrary, Department of Correction

 

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