Employees of the Month Millie Burke

KCC President Suri Duitch, Millie Burke, and VP of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Simone Rodriguez.

 

Millie Burke

Continuing Education

Mildred "Millie" Burke has spent two decades at CUNY, almost exclusively at Kingsborough Community College, helping to keep her department running smoothly. Her colleagues have taken notice.

The CUNY administrative assistant joined KCC’s Continuing Education department in 2006 after her husband was seriously injured on his construction job. What began as a way to secure health insurance for her family has since become a second home for Millie. Her colleagues recently acknowledged her contributions to the College by naming her Employee of the Month.

Millie has always enjoyed working. She studied secretarial sciences in high school and took part in a cooperative education program, splitting her time between school and work. Before coming to Kingsborough, she worked as a legal secretary and later at Macy's while raising her children.

Her role keeps the Continuing Education department moving. She processes new instructors, makes sure they get paid, orders supplies, requests classroom space, sends assignment letters and submits repair requests, among other tasks. "I feel my role is making sure the department runs smoothly," she said.

Karolina Bizik, director of Continuing Education and Millie's longtime supervisor, is one of two people who nominated her as Employee of the Month. She described Millie as a "go-to" resource, an outstanding team player who has cultivated strong working relationships throughout the College. “Her ability to remain calm under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and motivate others through her work ethic and dedication has earned her the respect and trust of her peers and leadership alike," Karolina wrote in her nomination. She credited Millie with contributing practical ideas that have improved efficiency within the division.

In her nomination, Millie’s colleague, Zully Sang, noted that Millie is always ready to help, even if it means stepping away from her own work to assist others. “Millie approaches everyone with patience, professionalism and kindness, going out of her way to connect people with solutions to their problems. She is someone colleagues consistently rely on.”

Millie takes pride in her dedication to others. She said her colleagues are a big part of what keeps her going. "I work with wonderful people who respect me and appreciate the things I do," she said. "My co-workers and superiors all work together to make sure we succeed at our jobs."