CMU celebrates staff excellence

Central Michigan University will celebrate 17 employees next month for their outstanding service to the university and its students. Recipients of the 2023-2024 Staff Excellence Award are:

• Ben Andera, executive director of academic and research computing in the Office of Information Technology.
• Julie Croy, senior office specialist for the Office of Educator Preparator Programs within the College of Education and Human Services.
• Abby Dean, deputy chief marketing officer in University Communications.
• Jim duPuis, associate director of telecom and unified communication in the Office of Information Technology.
• Caprice Hazen, executive office specialist in University Recreation.
• Kendra Huckins, director of faculty employment and compensation in Faculty Personnel Services.
• Melissa Hutchinson, executive director of counseling services in the Counseling Center.
• Julie Lyon, senior budget analyst in Financial Planning and Budgets.
• Brittany Milan, director of alumni & donor engagement in Alumni Relations.
• Nikita Murry, director of diversity education in the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
• Jacqui Pridgeon, executive office specialist for the Social Work Program within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
• Kay Purtill, executive secretary for the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
• Melissa Schalk, executive secretary for the Counseling Center.
• Evelyn Seitz, executive secretary for the dean’s office within the College of Education and Human Services.
• Amy Thering, manager of student employment in Human Resources.
• Mary Valkos, executive secretary for Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in the College of Science and Engineering.
• Brittnie Vithanage, assistant director of residence life in Student Affairs.

Honorees are nominated by peers and colleagues for exemplary service to others. A subgroup of faculty and staff members from the Shared Governance Council ranks the nominations submitted through a blind review process and selects the honorees for excellence on the job, serving people well, communication skills, courage and effectiveness, passion for CMU, and modeling inclusiveness and respect. 

President Bob Davies will present the Staff Excellence Awards at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. Award recipients receive a plaque and a free senior officer parking pass for a year.

RSVP to Krista Holtgreive by Tuesday, Sept. 10 at holtg1ks@cmich.edu or by calling 989-774-7392.