BILLINGS SHINES IN NEW ROLE AS FACULTY SECRETARY
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by Linda McCulley Beginning her career as a part-time employee at the Cumberland campus of Southeast Community College in 1984, Margaret Georgeina Billings has earned an unwavering amount of respect. From October 1985 through August 1995, she served as Administrative Assistant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), first on the Cumberland campus before transferring to the Bell County campus in August 1995. She worked for 15 months under the same job title before applying for the position of faculty secretary. Better known by the nickname "George," Mrs. Billings has become an invaluable asset to the faculty and students of the Bell County campus. Over the years she has honed and polished her skills to maintain the professionalism that she requires of herself. She is always willing to go the extra distance for the sake of the organization as well as job satisfaction. Mrs. Billings is the first full-time faculty secretary that the Bell County Campus of SECC has had. Previously, the professors only had a part-time secretary to assist them in their numerous responsibilities. When asked about the benefits of a full- time secretary, Bell County campus director Dr. Harry Bralley commented, "The work load on the Bell County campus is tremendous. We have 15 full-time faculty, 38 part-time faculty, and over 900 students. So obviously, having a full-time secretary has improved the services to the faculty. Even more so, the services have improved for the students, in essence the consumers the work is being prepared for --syllabi, tests, and so on." The professors are also ecstatic about having a competent person to whom they can delegate some of their work load. Peggy Marcum, Assistant Professor of Foreign Language and Education, said, "It's wonderful, glorious, fantastic, and incredible. It gives us the time we need to fulfill our major responsibilities!" Dr. Rhonda England, Assistant Professor of English, said, “She (Mrs. Billings) manages 15 demanding professors and 38 adjunct faculty with a smile on her face. I really don't know how she accomplishes this task with such enthusiasm." Mrs. Billings possesses the critical skills necessary in this type of work environment. She is preeminent in her response to constant interruptions which she consistently greets in a courteous manner. "We as faculty are very fortunate to have someone with the quality of skills and character that Georgeina possesses,” said Assistant Professor Astor Simpson, who teaches psychology and sociology. “She is very professional and performs her duties at a high level of excellence." Mrs. Billings was asked what she liked best about her job, she replied, "I love the personal interaction and the possibility of making a difference in someone's life. I want to utilize my work experience as well as continue my education to make a difference in the world. I believe that students should be encouraged to build competency and careers. I hope in some small way I will have made a positive impression on at least one student." Mrs. Billings's work philosophy is to do the very best job she can do. However, not every aspect of any position of employment can be entirely rewarding: "In the beginning, the hardest part of my vocation was the transition from a business environment to an academic one. I have always worked under the employment of a single person. Nevertheless, now I have a number of diverse personalities for whom I am responsible. Adapting to this vicissitude has probably been the most difficult aspect of my job, but the situation improves more and more everyday," according to Mrs. Billings. Originally from Norton, Virginia, Mrs. Billings attended John I. Burton High School. After graduation she began furthering her education at Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, as a full-time student. Although she has worked since she was 14 years old, she received her first full-time job offer from Rish Mining Equipment Company while attending Mountain Empire. Through a series of life events, Mrs. Billings moved from Virginia to Kentucky. She graduated with honors from SECC in Cumberland iin 1989 with an Associate Degree in Business Management. Mrs. Billings resides in Speedwell, Tennessee, with her husband, Arnold and their dog, Chewy. Their home rests on Norris Lake. "We love the serenity of God's gift of nature," she said. Mrs. Billings and her husband have been married for 17 years, and she still speaks of him as her "very best friend. We love to go fishing." She has two stepchildren, Tim and Kim, but the loves of her life are Alexandria, Alicia and Allison, her step grandchildren. With an obvious glow in her eyes, she says, "They call me Grandma George."return