September
You Make a Difference Winner: Carlos Aleman
Nominated by: Dr. Leann Curry
"Carlos is always so helpful. He has saved the day three times this week by getting our IT up and running so that class can go on. He is always so kind, knowledgeable, and helpful, and he stays until the system is working. Last night, we were having trouble getting one of the older projectors to work, and he came over and helped so the class could go on as planned at 5:30."
October
Winner: Cayla Mathison
Nominated by: Yahaira Wall
"I want to nominate Cayla because she truly sees things in a way most of us don’t. She has a gift for looking at challenges and immediately coming up with smart, efficient ways to tackle them, what she calls her “tips and tricks.” She’s not just solving problems in the moment; she’s always thinking ahead and helping us see the bigger picture. Working with her has made me better at my job because she encourages all of us to think differently, try new approaches, and not get stuck on roadblocks. She’s the kind of leader who makes you feel supported, and her vision has really shaped how our team works together and succeeds."
November
Winner: Sammy Smith
Nominated by: Kathy Everett and Melissa Laussmann
"Sammy works hard but is always willing to stop what he is doing to talk with a student or staff member. He makes coming to work pleasant for all of us and we appreciate all that he does."
"Sammy has always been a person that does his job well. He also thinks about the student's experience here at MSU. He makes sure that any concerns are brought to his supervisor's attention. He really care about MSU and his work. I do not think anyone has ever complained about Sammy. He is a very likeable person."
December
Winner: Jennifer Sanchez
Nominated by: Kathy Everett
"Jennifer has done a great job on keeping our new building clean. There have been NO complaints but praise from the faculty about her work."
January
Winner: Melissa Boerma
Nominated by: Ashley Hurst and Stephen Schutte
"Melissa has been going above and beyond supporting our new initiative. The SSC/MEC have been without an admin, and she has stepped up and stepped in, working around the clock to cover her daily duties as well as making sure we're taken care of. She does it all with a smile and grace, and we cannot thank her enough for all of her time, care, support, and help!"
February
Winner: Amanda Raines
Nominator: Dr. Jennifer Amox
"Despite being absolutely swamped all the time, Amanda takes time to pleasantly answer any question we faculty (and chairs) may have. Every interaction I have with her is positive and helpful, and that attitude carries into her leadership style as well. If I could nominate her entire department, I would!"
March
Winner: Matthew Steimel
Nominator: Dr. Kristen Garrison
"His relentless, professional, strategic commitment to speedy problem-solving."
April
Winner: Robin Reid
Nominator: Anonymous
"Robin welcomed me to my new role at MSU Texas with open arms. She always does her best despite her chronic headaches or how she is feeling in a day. She shows up where it counts and her attention to detail is unmatched! I Think she she deserves this recognition."
May
Winner: Patricia Lindley
Nominator: Anonymous
"[She] trained housing leadership and helped us to be more confident in our roles. She helped us boost our team morale, trained us on new equipment and encouraged us to grow as leaders and individuals. And then when we finally felt we had achieved our goal : create a more positive team environment where we support one another, she celebrated our victory and made us feel like what we do matters because it does!! We are so grateful for her mentorship and dedication to helping us bring the housing custodians together as a team!"
June
Winner: Ashley Penney
Nominator: Mel Nikolatsopoulos
"Penney made an extraordinary difference by demonstrating selfless dedication and unwavering commitment during the demanding October advising cycle. With one advisor temporarily out for jury duty and another facing an unexpected pivot to remote work due to a critical family health matter, the team faced potential upheaval. Penney not only embraced the substantial added workload but managed to navigate these "choppy waters" with remarkable grace and efficiency. Her ability to absorb pressure and maintain high performance during this double absence was instrumental, ensuring our students and remaining team members were supported."
July
Winner: Delia Gonzalez
Nominators: Dr. Randy Case + Dr. Jessica Fino
"Delia is always going above and beyond to make sure that Centennial Hall is well taken care of, which is a big task as it is one of the larger buildings with a lot of students and faculty. Delia takes care of more than just the building, as she knows the faculty, the students, and her coworkers. She greets nearly everyone by name, and often times anticipates our needs before we even have to ask her. Recently, her coworker in Centennial Hall had a major health crisis, and Delia has met every additional task with a smile. She has checked on this coworker numerous times and been a valuable resource to us all. Honestly, I have a hard time putting into words how great Delia is and how well she serves others, her community, and the vison of MSU."
"I would like to nominate Delia Gonzalez, custodian for Centennial Hall, for the You Make A Difference Award. Delia consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of her role and has become an integral part of the Gunn College family. Her work ethic is exceptional. She takes great pride in ensuring that our spaces are clean, welcoming, and ready for our students, faculty, and visitors each day. However, what truly sets Delia apart is not just how well she does her job, but how she does it. She approaches her work with kindness, compassion, and a genuine servant’s heart. Delia is always willing to help, often stepping in without being asked to make someone’s day a little easier. Whether it’s assisting during busy events, checking in on faculty and staff, or simply offering a warm smile, she creates a positive and supportive environment for everyone around her. At Midwestern State University, we talk about being a team, and Delia embodies that spirit every single day. Her contributions may often happen behind the scenes, but their impact is felt by all of us. Quite simply, we don’t know what we would do without her. Delia truly makes a difference at MSU, and I am grateful for the care and dedication she brings to our campus community."