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: November 2022
Teams:
Campus Events and Catering | Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | LAS Finance Team | The OIT Applications Team (All of You!) | Tony Rago, Joe, and Obed – MAD Team | UCCS Campus Support Areas | UCCS Copy Center
Individuals:
Alex Baker | Allie Schwartz | Andy Johnston | Brie Escobedo and Sarah Fillman | Christian Ruiz | Cindy Joos, Pam Sawyer, Cortney Strack-Loertscher, & Jonathan Jones | Clay Garner and Grant Lockwood | David DuBois X2 | Ian Ratz | Janet Van Kampen | Jason Taylor | Jennifer Newcomb | Katelyn Mansker | Lindsay Knell, Stephani Hosain, Cortney Strack-Loertscher & Mikey Sanchez | Lisa Harner | Marshall Ferguson | Michael Hadley | Robin Bredl | Robyn Firth | Rose Johnson X2 | Shannon Rogers | Sherry McDonnell | Tori Davis | Tungsten Alcazar | Wendi Clouse
Teams
To: Campus Events and Catering
From: Anon.
Thank you to the whole Events and Catering team for your outstanding work! My department has hosted several events this semester, and we have been grateful for your work to set up room, make and serve delicious food, and support all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making events possible. Thank you for everything that you do!
To: Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
From: Anon.
Since the launch of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Spring of 2022 the impact of this unit has been visible and palpable. The effort with which this team has connected with faculty, staff, and students to build a more inclusive sense of belonging and understanding has helped us to become a stronger, more compassionate, more intentional community. I so appreciate the leadership and strength demonstrated by this team following the shooting at Club Q to create spaces for healing, community, support, and love.
To: LAS Finance Team
From: Sherry McDonnell
A big shout out to my Team members, Jacqui Hatfield and Jeremy Click! They both ALWAYS go above and beyond to support the college with capable, enthusiastic customer service. They work diligently behind the scenes and are not often recognized for the huge impact that they have on the college and campus. I am blessed to work with them. Keep up the great work, Team.
To: The OIT Applications Team (All of You!)
From: Krista Duffy
The Apps Team has been through a lot of changes in the past year and have approached them all with a positive attitude and commitment to high levels of customer service. Seeing you welcome new team members with humor, patience and flexibility has been awesome. It is a pleasure working with each of you!
To: Tony Rago, Joe, and Obed -MAD Team
From: Debi O’Connor
I would like to recognize the MAD team for all they do for our campus. I got the opportunity to work with them last month during a move and they just made everything easy.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!!
To: UCCS Campus Support Areas
From: Anon.
I just wanted to acknowledge and show appreciation for all those within the campus who have acted as a safe space or offered support to our LGBTQ+ community after the tragic events at Club Q in November. #ColoradoSpringsStrong
To: UCCS Copy Center
From: Tiyana Hardney Vela
The Copy Center staff are responsive and always pleasant to work with. I appreciate everyone who is part of that team and thank them for supporting my various print needs. Thank you!
Individuals
To: Alex Baker
From: Whitley Hadley
Alex has gone above and beyond in being a visible member of the community with sharing his story, while also supporting students’ overall wellbeing in spite of antagonism. Alex served on the National Coming Out Day panel and shared openly about his experience navigating the expectations and stigmas against LGBTQ+ individuals. Looking at national news is a clear example of how risky and courageous it is for Alex to openly share his story with the community while still striving for excellence within his full-time role as an advocate at UCCS. Aside from serving on the panel, I have witnessed Alex take navigate supporting a student in crisis even when the student was antagonistic towards Alex’s support. He remained calm and caring in his approach, while focusing on listening to the needs of the student. This resulted in the advocacy for more Black hair care products in Clyde’s Cupboard, while also not making the student feel targeted or pitied with the resources provided. I thought it was masterful how Alex navigated this and didn’t respond back angrily to the words the student shared with him. The entire time he focused on caring, and this has resulted in even more students feeling cared for by the intentional products selected for these resources on campus.
To: Allie Schwartz
From: Anon.
Allie is the bubbly light of our Admissions Office. She is so sweet to all of our prospective students. She makes time to help in any shape or form with any task we might have at hand.
Her leadership skills are tremendous. She works tirelessly to plan our Admitted Student days, our Yield dinners, and the connections and relationships she forms are strong.
I know personally Allie is someone that I can go to for anything in and out of the office. Her attitude and personality are just the very best. I appreciate everything she has done and will do for our office.
To: Andy Johnston
From: Krista Duffy
Andy is consistently available to help with all my Talent and Acquisition questions, which have been numerous lately. I truly appreciate his positive attitude and approach to solving problems. He is a true asset to the UCCS culture!
To: Christian Ruiz
From: Colleen Stiles and Amanda Sorenson, faculty
Christian is our TA for INOV 2100 Technical Writing, Presentations, and Proposals for the Bachelor of Innovation Degree. Christian is great with students through support and guidance and keeping office hours every week. Thanks, Christian!
To: Cindy Joos, Pam Sawyer, Cortney Strack-Loertscher, & Jonathan Jones
From: The Criminal Justice Faculty
Thank you so much for all your energy and hard work in the College of Public Service and specifically with the Department of Criminal Justice events this fall semester. We could not have hosted so many speakers and community partners without your help. Thank you!
To: Clay Garner and Grant Lockwood
From: Anon.
Clay and Grant have both been functioning with additional duties for the past 10 months or so as we have searched for a new police chief and emergency manager. Both have done an amazing job of not only keeping up with their own jobs but also covering the additional duties associated with the vacant positions. Thanks for going above and beyond!
To: Brie Escobedo and Sarah Fillman
From: Colleen Stiles, Faculty
Brie and Sarah collect clothes from volunteers to supply Clyde’s Closet with interview clothes for students. This is important and under their leadership the T. Rowe Price Career Center is serving students in ways we sometimes cannot imagine. Brie and Sarah make a difference!
To: David DuBois
From: Laura Chandler
My colleague always amazes me how he can handle all the department and student requests he receives. Doesn’t show impatience or frustration when supporting a large academic department with ongoing travel and procurement. On top of that, the hundreds of graduate applications that start coming in this time of year – he is a one man show supporting the process! I never tell him enough how I envy the ease he handles work. So, now I am telling everyone!
To: David DuBois
From: Psychology Assistant Professor
David quietly gets the job done! He has too many roles to list here, and he goes above and beyond in supporting our students and faculty through completing purchases, printing a huge amount of conference posters (sometimes on a very tight turnaround), and managing applications for our graduate programs. The Psychology Department couldn’t survive or thrive without him!
To: Ian Ratz
From: Eric M. Olson
Ian’s concern for his students’ welfare and success is demonstrated every day through his initiative, sincerity, and compassion. He brings to his job a up-beat attitude that is infectious. One couldn’t ask for a better co-worker.
To: Janet Van Kampen
From: Anon.
Janet was key to our campus response to the tragic shooting at Club Q. Within 24 hours she arranged a community resource expo that helped victims recover. It was a fine example of how our campus is more than a university. It is also a community resource. This was less than a week after she arranged a similar event for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to help them heal from another tragic loss. It was a massive effort in no time at all and everyone at the event turned to Janet when an issue or concern arose. Just outstanding work.
To: Jason Taylor
From: Erin Klein
Jason helped us pull off our first ever hybrid faculty meeting. He took the extra time before the meeting to walk us through our needs and offer his expertise. We truly couldn’t have made the event happen without him. Jason is kind and so calm under pressure! Kudos to you, Jason! UCCS is lucky to have you.
To: Jennifer Newcomb
From: Sylvia Mendez
Jennifer embodies all that is great about working at UCCS—she deeply cares about students and the mission and is a joy to work with.
To: Katelyn Mansker
From: Leah Harris
Katelyn is such an asset to the UC Team. She works diligently to address operational issues and ensure her team is working to implement the best processes possible to keep the building running. Aside from her hard work and dedication, Katelyn is a delight to be around. The humor she brings to work can brighten anyone’s mood, and she values and values students and peers alike. Thank you, Katelyn, for your contribution to our team!
To: Lindsay Knell, Stephani Hosain, Cortney Strack-Loertscher & Mikey Sanchez
From: The Criminal Justice Faculty
Thank you for all of your help this fall semester with our student outreach & support, new student orientations, scheduling, the faculty search, faculty promotion processes, and so much more. Each of you is an important member of the team. We appreciate the ability to work closely with staff that are so dedicated to students, smart program growth, and making a difference in the campus community. Thank you!!
To: Lisa Harner
From: Krista Duffy
Lisa has done an incredible job in a difficult transition within her department. She has expanded her role in supporting other departments on the campus. Her attention to detail and determination to meet and exceed expectations under a stressful situation is admirable and inspirational!
To: Marshall Ferguson
From: Robin Bredl
Marshall has been a reliable and consistent resource for all things post grant related. Moreover, he is pleasant to work with and goes over and above the call of duty to help out his colleagues.
To: Michael Hadley
From: Colleen Stiles, faculty
Mike holds office hours in the Innovation House every Monday. When his ENTP 1000 students are not there, he helps out the other students waiting to see the faculty. Mike has edited portfolios, given career feedback, listened to student challenges, and offered valuable direction. We are so fortunate to have Mike on the team.
To: Robin Bredl
From: Marshall Ferguson
Kudos to Robin for her steadfast efforts assisting with the College of Business’ sponsored research projects. She is a dedicated team-player, solutions-orientated and has done an especially great job helping to manage the lifecycle of the subaward invoices.
To: Robyn Firth
From: Gabby Hensley
Robyn is amazing!! She has been an integral part of putting the Commencement Program together from pulling the master list to answering questions about graduates and more! I appreciate all your help and patience with putting this together to make it the best that it can be! Thank you Robyn!!
To: Rose Johnson
From: Ann Amicucci
Rose went above and beyond in making it possible for me to host a visiting scholar to lead a faculty development event this month. Rose made the travel arrangements, handled budgets for the event’s finances, and answered questions and provided support to our visitor throughout the process. Our visitor began his talk on campus by thanking Rose and acknowledging how grateful he was for all her help. Thank you, Rose, for everything you do!
To: Rose Johnson
From: Kirsten Ortega
Thank you, Rose, for getting us a Xerox machine on the first floor of Columbine Hall! It only took 4 months of constant phone calls and emails. And that was after Jeri Bonnes worked on it all summer… (Thank you, also, to Jeri for that past work!) We so appreciate your persistence in the face of a Xerox & supply chain blockade! We also appreciate your continued persistence as you convince someone from Xerox to come and set the machine up so that we can use it. LOL If the work never seems to end on this, please know that neither does our gratitude!
To: Shannon Rogers
From: Leah Harris
Shannon is an vital member of the Event Services office. She works hard to build relationships with the community at large to welcome them to campus for events, camps and conferences, and is eager to uncover new and exciting opportunities to bring to UCCS. She sees problems others do not, and is always trying to work as a team to help address them. Shannon is also a joy to work with; with her infections laugh and energy, she also brings an element to fun to work that is unmatched. I am grateful for her contribution to our office and the University!
To: Sherry McDonnell
From: Jacqui Hatfield
I received a “huge shout out for Sherry McDonnell” from a new employee today who said Sherry McDonnell is an outstanding employee. She is knowledgeable on numerous topics and responds regularly to constant and random questions. She jumps in with clear direction and solutions to problems, giving wisdom, encouragement and clarity on procedures and policies. Sherry brings the utmost excellent assistance to anything and everything, delivering exceptional professional service. She deserves recognition for her tenacious work ethic, skills and mindset in tackling her work and serving UCCS!
— I couldn’t agree more. Well said!!! Thank you for providing this shout out in support of Sherry’s work in the areas of procurement, payroll, budget, and finance.
To: Tori Davis
From: Anon.
Tori has stepped up in so many ways since she she came on as pro staff this summer. She has taken on so many additional responsibilities that has been incredibly helpful for the Campus Recreation department. She has been able to connect with students so well and provide them with guidance and support that they need. Our department has has several transitions in the last few months and Tori has been one of the first people to step up and say “how can I help.” We are so grateful for her. Thank you, Tori, for your commitment to our students. You are SO appreciated!
To: Tungsten Alcazar
From: Gabby Hensley
Tungsten is the best! Every year that we have been working on the Commencement Program together, he has worked his magic to translate the master list into manageable content that is easy to add to the program. I appreciate your hard work and couldn’t do it without your help. THANK YOU!!
To: Wendi Clouse
From: Anon.
Many on campus already know is that Wendi Clouse is one of those great blends of affableness and intelligence. What some may not know is the incredible work ethic she has that underpins all of that. Kuddos to Wendi for pinch-hitting in support of the IR dept. when needed, in addition to her other functional obligations in the enrollment mgt. unit!
Want to celebrate your staff colleagues? Submit kudos anytime through the Staff Association website. Communique publishes Clyde’s Kudos each month.