There may be nobody at the George Washington University who has a longer walk to their desk every morning than Rose Dunnegan, the managing director of administration, communication and training (ACT) within the Division of Safety and Operations.
Not because she has an overly long route to her second-floor setup in the GW Support Building at 2025 F St. But because along the way she stops to greet every passing person, who all seem to light up with excitement to see her.
Dunnegan has worn many hats during her time at GW, which spans back to 2005. She started as a property manager, overseeing a third-party property management company for the university. She then served as the business integration manager within the Division of Operations, where she would also hold roles as chief of staff to the senior associate vice president and eventually managing director of the Business Integration Group. Today, she oversees ACT, where she manages a team responsible for a wide range of functions that include payroll, stakeholder engagement, division events, training and development. She also supports HR and employee engagement, ensuring that team members take full advantage of the university’s benefits.
No matter her role, putting people first has been Dunnegan’s main mission.
“On a typical day, I spend a lot of time talking to people. I love checking in with staff members, asking how they're doing and offering help if they need it,” Dunnegan said. “Sometimes a quick conversation can reveal a challenge that I can assist with. My day can include meetings, project work or problem-solving. No two days are alike, which is what I love about it.”
She describes her duties as very “behind the scenes” even though so many staff members seek her out for a smile. Dunnegan takes great pride in “pushing on their behalf” to ensure things happen. For instance, she recently helped twin children of a housekeeper on staff take advantage of the university’s tuition benefits. She walked them through the application process, working with admissions and benefits to ensure the process went smoothly.
“It’s those little behind-the-scenes contributions that make a real impact,” Dunnegan said. “GW is a special place because of the people. It might sound cliché, but it’s true.”
Without further ado, meet Rose Dunnegan:
This series will tell the stories, experiences and accomplishments of staff and recognize their daily impact on GW. Please enjoy the opportunity to get to know staff from across the university.