Michael Kirk Morris

Mike Morris (he/him) is the Operations Supervisor for the Moving Services program. Mike is responsible for supervising program staff who coordinate, schedule, and perform commercial moves for the University. Additionally, Mike coordinates and oversees supplemental program and staffing support with contracted vendors, ensuring the moving needs of the University are met.

In 2022, we celebrated Mike’s 40 years of dedicated service to the UW. I have had the privilege of working with Mike for 30 of those years. During his time at the UW, Mike has distinguished himself in providing excellent customer service to meet the needs of customers allowing them meet their mission in support of the University.

Mike is accomplished at developing productive teams, increasing morale, and delivering process solutions to meet the needs and demands of the customer.

After reflecting on Mike’s UW career and accomplishments, it is my honor to nominate Mike for a Distinguished Staff Award in the category of career achievement.

Tell us why you are nominating this individual

Mike’s contributions and commitment to excellence through the delivery of outstanding service has consistently been at a high level. He is a dynamic and motivated leader who has worked tirelessly to provide the campus community with real-time support. Mike is committed to building relationships and enhancing the customer experience.

Mike believes in the principle of being “easy to do business with’ and this principle shows in his work. Mike is flexible and responsive. Mike is able to shift priorities to meet urgent and emergent customer needs. When there has been a flood in a campus building, Mike has successfully reassigned and redirected staff to perform this critical moving need. During the COVID pandemic, Mike was again successful in adjusting work schedules to support critical research and patient care operations.

Mike has embraced the Lean principle of continuous improvement. Mike engages with his team in developing solutions to improve work. He huddles with the team daily reviewing what went well the previous day and what could be improved. Mike solicits ideas for equipment that could make work more efficiently and more safe.

Mike was a key contributor to the development and implementation of a new Moving work management system. Mike collaborated with UW IT system engineers to design the program, engaged in system testing, and provided feedback on changes and improvements. The new system improved the customer experience and gained efficiencies in the workflow process. Mike continues to evaluate the system and suggest enhancements to meet evolving business and operational needs.

Customer Feedback:

Hi Mike,
Just wanted to say thank you for accommodating us on such a last minute request yesterday! Very much appreciated 😊.
—SUMMER L. DELA CRUZ PARKES, Human Centered Design and Engineering

Dear Michael,
You are an amazing person and so accommodating and kind. I truly appreciate you and your team.
With Much Gratitude,
—Santhi Perumal, College of Education

Mike,
I just wanted to say thanks to you and your team for your flexibility and patience with these moves. They went really smoothly and as planned.
—David Giblin, Ph.D.. University of Washington Herbarium (WTU)

Thank you so very much!!!! I really appreciate you guys getting to this so quickly. Huge help!!
—Liz Soberg, Biochemistry

Mike, you guys are amazing!!!
—Maureen Black, Center for Urban Horticulture

What makes this nominee worthy of the DSA?

Mike’s contributions and commitment to the University’s mission and core values have positively impacted our team, as well as the campus community. Through his work, Mike has shown his leadership, initiative, and dedication to providing exceptional service and building confidence and partnerships with campus clients.

Mike has high expectations of himself and his team – to behave with professionalism, be dependable and accountable, and to always strive to provide exceptional customer service. Mike is compassionate and has a great desire to help others and effect positive change. Mike inspires his team and co-workers to do the same.

Customer Feedback:

Hi Teresa,
As you’re aware this year was the most unusual with COVID, shortage of staff and many challenges on the UW Campus. All through this craziness, one thing consistent was the helpfulness of your UW Move Team. I wanted to send you my appreciation and many thanks to your team at Moving Services, and for helping HFS on multiple projects that greatly impact the students, especially the last minute projects that impact the students living on UW Campus.

Your amazing team are so helpful, enthusiastic, and so wonderful to work with! They are truly great campus partners.

Mike Morris is an Amazing Leader with Amazing Magical Skills.

I’m excited and looking forward to working with UW Moving Services on my next project!

Thanks,
BETTY LEE-SHEN, Senior Facilities Design Manager – Housing and Food Services

Over his 40-year career at the UW, Mike Morris has exemplified dedication, generosity, and providing outstanding customer service in each of his roles. Mike is flexible, responsive, and a positive role model for his team, co-workers, and leaders. Mike seeks to improve processes, improve the customer experience, and improve how work is performed as to be done more effectively and more safe. During times of increased service demand and significant staff shortages, Mike is resilient and moves forward modeling a level of consistency and positivity that is inspiring.

Mike is humble and compassionate with a great sense of humor.

—Teresa Seyfried, Assistant Director, UWF Maintenance and Construction