Â鶹´«Ã½

Phillip Koch, International Student Activities Program Specialist, contributes much to the experiences of international Â鶹´«Ã½s here at WMU. In his role, he works continuously to provide WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s from all over the world with positive experiences through the coordination of international Â鶹´«Ã½ activities. Specifically, his role in planning and facilitating the WMU Global Hop events provides Â鶹´«Ã½ for the campus community to be globally engaged. His creativity, dedication, and efforts are noteworthy and appreciated!

Posted By: Rachel Drummond

On Jan. 22 the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Students project team reached a major milestone to make the new log-in process mandatory for all currently enrolled Â鶹´«Ã½s. Back in July when they initiated this project they didn’t imagine that they would have already accomplished the near-impossible feat of convincing 85% of our Â鶹´«Ã½s to activate 2FA prior to the mandatory go-live date, but they did it. By the end of the day on Jan. 24 over 98% of Â鶹´«Ã½s had activated 2FA.

I can only attribute the success of this project to the team of individuals at its core, the way that they collaborated, their communications efforts and the support that they had from others throughout the University who helped them exhaust every option to help our Â鶹´«Ã½s. This is one of many strategic steps we are taking to protect our Â鶹´«Ã½s, ourselves, and the University from external threats. We should look back on this project as a model for how we can work together and combine the extraordinary technical, business, marketing and other expertise we have to transform and be the school of choice.

I would like to thank and recognize the following individuals form the project team and a few who make key contributions.

Marcel Alkemade – Apps Programmer/Analyst Sr, OIT

James Amos – Security Administrator, OIT

Megan Anderson, Assoc Director Recruitment Marketing and Communications, Admissions

Taylor Arndt – Accessibility Compliance Technician (Â鶹´«Ã½)

Garald Barton – Marketing Manager, OIT

Gwen Bostic – Accessibility Compliance Specialist, OIT

Alex Boyd – Help Desk Student, OIT

Missy Bininger – Asst Director Help Desk/Directory Services

Richard Burton – Security Administrator, OIT

Paula Davis – Director Strategic Communication, MSC

Tony Hendrix – Asst Director IT Labs/Help Desk, OIT

Connor Johnson – Help Desk Specialist, OIT

Robert Johnson  - Security Administrator (Retired), OIT

Dylan Ledbetter – Asst Director IT Labs/Help Desk, OIT

Greg Lozeau – Sr. Director IT Security and Privacy

Zia Mohammed, Help Desk Student, OIT

Jacob Neumann, Asst Director Field Services, OIT

Carol Olmstead – Coordinator Network Accounts, OIT

Juan Oriheula – Help Desk Student, OIT

Bruce Paananen - , Asst Director Web Applications, OIT

Walter Pabis, Apps Programmer/Analyst, OIT

Tyler Payne, Project Manager IT, OIT

Leonard Peirce- Apps Programmer/Analyst Sr, OIT

Pete Poggione, Sr Director Information Technology, Student Affairs

Zach Polakowski, Help Desk Student, OIT

Shivu Prasad – Help Desk Student, OIT

Anson Richardson – Help Desk Specialist, OIT

Scott Russell, Dir Information Technology, University Libraries

John Scott – Student Success/Marketing Spec Sr, Registrar

Benjamin Walkowiak – Help Desk Specialist, OIT

Amanda Wessels – Budget Analyst, OIT

Posted By: Adam Newsted

Our long-time custodian Pam Zawacke deserves appreciation and a big THANK YOU! Not only does Pam do her custodial duties extremely well, she goes the extra mile for our Â鶹´«Ã½s. First days of each academic year can be stressful for Â鶹´«Ã½s, especially freshmen. Students run around, trying to find their classrooms. Every Fall, Pam takes the initiative to help Â鶹´«Ã½s during that difficult time. Whenever she gets a chance, she stands in our lobby with a smile and offers help to Â鶹´«Ã½s who have difficulty finding their classrooms. I have observed many times the relief in the eyes of our Â鶹´«Ã½s after talking to Pam. What she does shows that she cares and WMU cares! Pam is an asset to WMU and I am proud to call her my colleague!

Posted By: Devrim Yaman

Megan Slayter, Ciji Heiser, Karen Stokes Chapo and Tonya Dean for their efforts with the University Assessment Steering Committee to produce the first quantitative analysis of the assessment efforts of academic and Â鶹´«Ã½ support units. This data will provide both a baseline for the university to monitor improvements in assessment across campus and information about how and where the University Assessment Steering Committee can provide resources and help.

Posted By: Dave Reinhold

Eriz Hughey deserves appreciation! She finds creative ways to encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach events and activities. She volunteered and successfully leads the CHHS Activities Team to provide Â鶹´«Ã½ for team member communication, engagement, and bonding. Her first response is always yes when asked to take initiative on projects and tasks for the betterment of CHHS and WMU.

Posted By: Tiffany B. White

I'd like to recognize Dr. Angel Gullon-Rivera in the Family Consumer Science department. I work with Dr. Gullon-Rivera as an academic advisor and also have him as a professor as a graduate Â鶹´«Ã½. Today I'd like lift up his amazing passion for the field of family studies.I'm always excited to refer Â鶹´«Ã½s to visit with him when they are considering a career in this field or if they are seeking clarification about career paths. His enthusiasm is contagious and his culture is celebrated throughout his teaching. HIs love of teaching is founded in his love of learning. He shows this by supporting learning in ways that reach each Â鶹´«Ã½ in the classroom.  Thank you for providing this opportunity for me to share.

Posted By: Paw Sward

I would like to appreciate Anitra White, Tim Sprangel, Angie Boynton and Kerry Hegele. Antira and Tim are admins in our office and Angie and Kerry are Placement Specialists. I am returning from maternity leave to a well-managed and smooth running office. As the director, I had some anxiety about being gone for the end of a semester and start of another because our office is so slammed and we have a small team. These people made it so I could concentrate on our new baby and adjusting to being a mom of two. They've made my transition back to work less bumpy and I SO appreciate all of their hard work!

Posted By: Jennifer Heymoss