Fostering a positive work environment is a core value for Kristy Hignite, human resources and business senior professional, Facilities Services. This positivity sparked her nomination as the Employee of the Quarter.
“Kristy is always positive, reliable and a driving force in the department,” Mikayla Greenfield, administrative assistant, Facilities Services said. “She is a rock for many and always goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
Since joining UCCS in 2014, Hignite has served on staff association, improved department hiring processes and implemented a student self-evaluation program.
Hignite supervises two full-time staff members, two to three students and oversees payroll for more than 140 people across facilities, sustainability, auxiliary operations, planning, design and construction. She also manages the hiring processes for those departments. During one six-week period alone, she was responsible for hiring 17 positions between staff for the new Ent Center for the Arts, backfill and various new positions for her department.
“The most rewarding part of my job is mentoring students,” Hignite said. “My philosophy is to prepare them for working in the real world.”
Hignite provides her students with opportunities to present to facilities directors and supervisors on campus – rather than just their peers. Every year, her students prepare self-evaluations to reflect on their contribution to the campus and share ideas on improving the department, Hignite explained. They also have an annual student employee celebration in May to celebrate graduating seniors and all the hard work student employees do for facilities and sustainability throughout the year.
“She always does what she can to help her employees and student employees succeed,” Greenfield said. “Integrity is of utmost importance to Kristy and she truly embodies the UCCS spirit daily.”
“There are so many deserving people on campus who are nominated,” Hignite said. “This was so unexpected, but it means a lot.”
In her free time, Hignite enjoys reading, spending time with grandkids, camping and recently picked up ATV riding.
Hignite will receive a $100 stipend, three months of a free and reserved parking, a $40 voucher to the UCCS Bookstore and one day of administrative leave as part of the award.
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