Director of Business Operations and Projects Cheryl Leblanc was named Most Valuable Panther for February 2026.
In announcing the award, the Office of Human Resources said:
“Cheryl LeBlanc consistently demonstrates exceptional involvement and service through her proactive support of both internal and external customers across the Facilities Department and the broader Florida Tech community. She is highly responsive, approachable and solutions-oriented, ensuring that faculty, staff, students and vendors receive timely assistance and accurate information.
Leblanc sets a positive example through her professionalism, respectful communication and willingness to step in wherever needed. Her leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, and she regularly strengthens relationships between facilities and other campus departments by ensuring projects and operational needs are handled with transparency, efficiency and care. Through her daily actions, Leblanc enhances the reputation of the department and reflects the university’s commitment to service excellence.
Leblanc consistently exhibits a strong commitment to quality by maintaining high standards in business operations, project coordination and departmental oversight. She is detail-oriented and thorough, ensuring that processes are followed correctly, documentation is accurate and financial and operational decisions align with university priorities. Leblanc regularly identifies opportunities to improve workflows, strengthen internal controls and enhance efficiency, which contributes directly to the success of facilities operations and long-term planning efforts. Her ability to manage complex responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and accountability reflects her dedication to excellence. Leblanc’s work supports Florida Tech’s goals by promoting effective resource management, improving coordination across initiatives, and ensuring facilities projects are executed in a well-organized and cost-conscious manner.
Leblanc routinely goes above and beyond the expectations of her role by taking ownership of challenges that extend beyond standard business operations and project responsibilities. She consistently steps in to resolve urgent issues, provide guidance to staff and ensure deadlines are met even under demanding conditions. Leblanc frequently supports multiple initiatives simultaneously, often taking on additional tasks to keep departmental operations moving forward without disruption. She demonstrates outstanding dedication by anticipating needs, addressing problems before they escalate and providing leadership support wherever gaps arise. Her willingness to invest extra time and effort, combined with her strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the university’s and employee success, makes her an invaluable member of the facilities team and a deserving nominee for the Most Valuable Panther award.”
Nominations are requested for the Most Valuable Panther program, which recognizes employees who embody the university’s standards for innovation as demonstrated by their excellence and quality service. Please include specific and concrete details; give an example. How exactly does the nominee benefit the organizational unit, department or university?
Providing specific examples, numbers, facts and/or anecdotes about the candidate’s contributions will help clearly paint the picture of why the individual deserves to be recognized. Submit nominations by March 20, 2026.
