Clyde’s Kudos are a Staff Association initiative celebrated each month on Communique. Nominations are also recognized through a variety of forums including the Staff Association website, the Staff Association newsletter, event shout-outs, handwritten cards and other methods of distribution.

Clyde’s Kudos: May 2022

Featured this month:

Teams:

Commencement Volunteers | Commencement Program Volunteers

Individuals:

Ann Schwab & Michael Moody | Anna Squires | Bruce Ziegler & Stephanie Trujillo | Chad Garland | Cody Parish  | Gabby Hensley | Haley Russ | Heather Marx | Jenifer Furda | Katherine Placzek | Kayla Gronseth Boyer | Kayla Harper | Kimberly Reeves | Kyle Gruenhagen | Linda Matthies | Maddie Taylor | Mallory Tuhkanen | Nancy Deater & Matt Roesemann | Noelle San Souci | Noelle San Souci, Mallory Tuhkanen, Heather Marx, Cody Parish & Haley Russ | Paul Mendoza | Sloan Gonzales | Tawni Schwarzman | Tom Dewar

Teams

To: Commencement Volunteers
From: Danielle Wright

Hello Volunteers, Staff, and Faculty,

Spring Commencement truly couldn’t have happened without you. Thanking you a million times doesn’t seem like enough. The energy we felt in the stadium today is nothing we can describe in words!

Thank you for helping make our first spring commencement back in person so successful.

Thank you for helping make MY first spring commencement fun, easy, and filled with learning!

Thank you for having a “I get to” attitude.

Thank you for showing our community the strength that the Mountain Lions have from within. Our colorful Faculty / Directors section, our support to our graduates, and our smiles will truly be remembered.

Can’t wait to do it again? Have no fear! Decembers commencement is on Friday, December 16th. As a reminder, please hold Monday, December 19th for a backup date. The volunteer sign up sheet is online.

Looking way ahead? Spring Commencement is: Friday, May 12th. (Backup date is Monday, May 15th.)

To: Everyone involved in the Commencement Program creation
From: Gabby Hensley

I can’t say thank you enough for all of your help and hard work on putting the Commencement Program together! It’s been such a rewarding collaboration with partners all over campus to see all of the graduates names shown together with their corresponding awards/honors. It couldn’t have come together without each of you and I am excited to see what the next program brings! Thank you again!

Individuals

To: Ann Schwab & Michael Moody
From: Ann Amicucci

Ann and Michael are rockstars for their work on the Fall schedule! They take the needs of students and faculty across all campus programs into account in this complex work. This Spring, they processed many more changes than normal for my department. I’m grateful to have such amazing colleagues in the Registrar’s Office!

To: Anna Squires
From: Anon.

1. Anna is so much fun to work with! 2. She has helped so much with the e-comm for the Staff Celebration 3. She helped with a bunch of SA e-comm for the Welcome Committee! thanks for all you do!

To: Bruce Ziegler & Stephanie Trujillo
From: Nick Lockwood

Thank you to Bruce and Stephanie for your wonderful work in the height of Orientation season. You manage many complexities and always aspire to provide the best possible support to new students and their families. We appreciate you!

To: Chad Garland
From: Chi LAM

The Finance and Accounting Manager of Student Affairs Division of Finance, Kristal, left in Jun 2020 and the Associate Director of Finance of Student Affairs Division of Finance, Tristy, come in Oct 2020 and left in Dec 2021 leaving the Division of Finance Student Affairs team consisted of three staff included Nancy, Melissa, and Mathew Roesemann (Matt) without solid management support. Additionally, Melissa Prinkey left the Division of Finance Student Affairs in Jan 2022.

Chad Garland not only took up the challenge and acted above and beyond by serving as interim of Director of Finance which involved complex financial and accounting and budgeting, in particular of the new budget model will be effective in FY23, but also provided excellent leadership with support and guidance to the Student Affairs Division of Finance team in additional to his heavy duties as Sr. Director of University Center Student Life Operations.

Although the year end is approaching with much of work to prepare and complete, Chad spent his valuable time to get the newly filled management role up to speed.

With that, Chad deserves a formal recognition for his contribution to act above and beyond to underpin the success of Division of Finance Student Affairs and the University Center Student Life Operations.

To: Chad Garland
From: Brad Bayer

Chad has done an exceptional job in leading his scheduling and conferencing team to bring back a robust calendar of summer conferences to UCCS.

To: Cody Parish
From: Sloan Gonzales

Huge shout out to Cody for a full year of programming with UCCSlead and CLC. He hit the ground running and over the past 10 months has brought so many new innovative ideas to our programs. He also has become an advocate for our students and our team. Beyond grateful for his passion, ideas, and mad juggling skills!

To: Gabby Hensley
From: Jenna Press

Gabby worked late to squeeze in a last-minute request from me to format the fact sheet for the cybersecurity ribbon-cutting event. Not only did she turn it around in less than half an hour, but it also looked beautiful and definitely added something special to the media packets we handed out! Thank you so much, Gabby!

To: Haley Russ
From: Stephen Cucchiara

Congratulations Haley on completing your first academic year with Student Life. You took over a significant area in Student Activities and have done amazing work in the time you have been in your role! And, we have not even reached a full year in your position yet! You accomplish great work with our student employees, your ideas are engaging and I am so lucky to be able to work with you in Student Life!

To: Heather Marx
From: Stephen Cucchiara

Congratulations on your triumphant return to Student Life… this time as a professional staff member. I have SO enjoyed working with you and watching you accomplish many of your goals! Student leaders absolutely enjoy working with you and I love your students first approach! Congrats on a successful first academic year… and we still have not hit your 1-year anniversary yet!

To: Jenifer Furda
From: Benjamin Kwitek

Awesome representation of UCCS in Colorado Spring and around the world! Thanks for your help with the German delegation that visited the Innovation Program at UCCS. Well done!

To: Katherine Placzek
From: Anna Squires

Kudos to Katherine for starting a brand-new, wellness-oriented newsletter for OIT! Every Friday, Katherine sends out resources for OIT staff (and others) related to sustainability, wellness, mindfulness and more. Her recommendations can range from tips to reduce burnout to making the most of your lunch break — by cooking, reading, spending time outdoors or getting unplugged. It is a true labor of love on top of the other 9 million tasks that Katherine takes on, and I want to sing her praises from the rooftop.

To: Kayla Gronseth Boyer
From: Maddie Taylor

Kayla has gone above and beyond to help onboard and train me in my new position. She is incredibly responsive, knowledgable, and welcoming. Thank you, Kayla, for your willingness to help and amazing eComm skillset!

To: Kayla Harper
From: Anon.

Kayla went above and beyond to assist me with kids night out registration. The system did not recognize me as a staff member and she took the time to look into it. Appreciate her effort and now have one happy kiddo :)

To: Kimberly Reeves
From: Anna Squires

A huge Kudos to Kimberly Reeves for her amazing service to UCCS over nearly 8 years. Kimberly was (and continues to be) a champion of sustainability in every form, at UCCS and in her life. She led UCCS to back-to-back national Gold STARS rankings — the top indication of an institution’s commitment to sustainability — and annual recognition from the Sierra Club as one of the most sustainable universities in Colorado. She poured her heart into our campus, and somehow found time to be a good friend and cheerleader, too. Now, in her new position with Agnes Scott College, she’ll be spearheading the first college program partnering with its county towards a joint sustainability commitment. May we all aspire to so much!

To: Kyle Gruenhagen
From: Kelli Klebe

I asked Kyle to serve as the HR support for a dean search because the college was going through an extraordinarily busy time. Kyle had never served as lead HR support for a leadership role. This was an expedited search to try to get a dean prior to the Fall 2022 semester. Kyle provided outstanding supporting throughout the search. Every dean candidate to campus mentioned to me the great help he was. I am very appreciative of Kyle taking on this task with a positive “can do” attitude and making it a successful experience for the candidates and search committee. Thank you Kyle!

To: Kyle Gruenhagen
From: Ann Amicucci

Kyle served as HR liaison on the Research Associate and Program Evaluator search for IR, all while also handling the College of Education Dean search. He is amazing at keeping multiple balls in the air and helping everyone along the way. Our search committee thanks you for everything you do, Kyle!

To: Kyle Gruenhagen
From: Anon.

Kyle is always willing to help others with a smile on his face. Even if doesn’t have the answer, he goes above and beyond to find the answer for you. He’s patient and positive and with positive/constructive arguments or comments.

To: Linda Matthies
From: Judy Scott

Kudos to Linda for going above and beyond! Linda has stayed on past her second retirement date to orient her new staff, making her feel supported and prepared while her husband waits patiently for that final day, months past expected. This extended date made it possible for her nominator to be able to have the fall semester students be prepared for their clinical experience.

Linda always jumps into student challenges, reaches out to the registrar or to outside entities to smooth the way for that student. It might not be her “on” hours, but she gets these things done efficiently.

Working with clinical nursing students isn’t always easy, but Linda does it with grace and style. I appreciate that she gives the student the benefit of the doubt, when sometimes I might not. Wonderful attitude. Never afraid of a challenge. I am lucky to have a colleague like Linda Matthies!

To: Maddie Taylor
From: Kayla Gronseth Boyer

Maddie recently started in the Alumni Relations department and has been a great addition who will take the team to the next level with eCommunications efforts. Happy to have you at UCCS, Maddie!

To: Mallory Tuhkanen
From: Stephen Cucchiara

Congratulations on completing your first academic year!! I know we have not hit a full year yet but I love the direction you have taken your position and the inspiring work you fulfill for our students! You have an amazing way of working with students and I cannot wait to see the continued impact you have for our student club leaders!

To: Nancy Deater & Matt Roesemann
From: Chi LAM

The Finance and Accounting Manager of Division of Finance Student Affairs, Kristal, left in Jun 2020 and the Associate Director of Finance of Division of Finance Student Affairs, Tristy, came in Oct 2020 and left in Dec 2021 leaving the Division of Finance Student Affairs team consisted of three staff included Nancy who is responsible for the accounting of Bookstore and University Center, Melissa who was responsible for Dining & Hospitality Services, and Mathew Roesemann (Matt) who is responsible for budgeting and Finance for the Division of Finance Student Affairs without solid management support.

Additionally, Melissa Prinkey left the team in Jan 2022. Nancy and Matt acted above and beyond to cover Melissa’s responsibilities and some of duties of the management roles.

Fortunately, Chad Garland has been serving as interim of Director of Finance to provide guidance and the Director of Finance and the Finance and Accounting Manager positions were filled in May 2022.
Although year end is approaching in Jun 2022 with much of work to prepare and complete, Nancy and Matt spent their valuable time to get the newly filled management roles (Director of Finance and Finance and Acct Mgr) up to speed.

With that, Nancy and Matt deserve a formal recognition for their contributions to act above and beyond to underpin the success of Division of Finance Student Affairs.

To: Noelle San Souci
From: Mr. C! (Stephen Cucchiara)

Congratulations on completing your first academic year as Associate Director of Student Engagement! It was a wonderful year working alongside of you and establishing a great partnership to lead the Student Life department! Thank you for all of your amazing energy and work, and I look forward to seeing how you continue to enhance our department and influence the lives of our students!

To: Noelle San Souci, Mallory Tuhkanen, Heather Marx, Cody Parish & Haley Russ
From: Stephen Cucchiara & Sloan Gonzales

In less than a year, the five of you bonded together with Sloan and I to form a terrific and absolutely engaging student life team. Your work toward engaging students, ability to learn on the fly, and truly make the positions your own is inspiring to observe and it is hard to think back to a time where the four of you were not part of this team, as you all are natural “Student Life-ers!” Congratulations on completing your first academic year, and I am beyond excited to see the great things you all do. I am also privileged for you all choosing to work in our Student Life Dept!

To: Paul Mendoza
From: Chi LAM

Paul Mendoza served as a Director of Finance of Student Affairs Division of Finance during Oct 2015 and Jun 2020.

The Director of Finance and the Finance and Accounting Manager positions were filled in May 2022. Paul unselfishly willing to spend his valuable time to share his knowledge and experience to get us up to speed. We much appreciated for his time and would like to give him a Kudos for his contribution.

To: Sloan Gonzales
From: Brad Bayer

Sloan is to be applauded for her positive efforts to include CLC alumni in the CLC scholarship selection process.

To: Tawni Schwarzman
From: Ann Amicucci

Tawni served as HR liaison for our Instructor search in English and was amazing at every step of the way! Our search committee was grateful to collaborate with her on this search, and we thank her for helping make our search a successful one. She is always a phone call away and always willing to help. Thank you, Tawni!

To: Tom Dewar
From: Jen Furda

He is the quiet soldier that just gets things done! The most recent is the Cyber Center. Tom is the reason the center had the funding to complete phase 3 and is open today. He is always behind the scenes never taking credit for ALL the great work he does. He LOVES what he does for UCCS and it shows. Thank you Tom for being the BEST fundraiser ever! :-)

Want to celebrate your staff colleagues? Submit kudos anytime through the Staff Association website. Communique publishes Clyde’s Kudos on the first business day of each month.