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Did someone you know make a positive change in how employees are treated in the workplace? Does your department have policies that are supportive of staff?  If yes, we want to recognize these efforts!

Award purpose and criteria

The Classified Personnel Council instituted the Positive Action Award in 2006. The purpose of this award is to recognize any individuals, groups, units or departments that have made a positive contribution to State Classified employees at Colorado State University. Eligible recipients of the award include State Classified, Admin Professionals, Faculty, or community members who significantly impact State Classified for the better.

The award is meant to showcase meaningful efforts, new initiatives, or best practices that foster a supportive work environment, improved campus climate, and/or positive work experiences for State Classified employees. The award is given annually at the discretion of the council. Recipients receive a plaque recognizing their contribution. Additionally, their name is added to the CPC website, acknowledging the history of the award’s recipients.

Nomination Form

In 350 words or more, please provide detailed examples responding to two or more of the following questions, describing the positive contribution of the nominee(s) to CSU State Classified employees.

• How did they specifically impact State Classified at CSU?
• What specific efforts did they initiate on behalf of State Classified employees?
• How did they make CSU a great place to work for State Classified?
• How did they foster a supportive work environment for State Classified employees?
• How did they improve the campus climate specifically for State Classified employees?
• How did they substantially change or transform the nature and/or culture of campus for State Classified?

Positive Action Award Nomination Form

The award is closed for nominations. The due date was February 10, 2024.

Past Recipients

2024

• Harrison Bridge – Facilities Management
  • Harrison Bridge, a project manager for Facilities Management (FM) Remodel and Construction Services, is absolutely deserving of the Positive Action Award because he works with intent and respect to positively transform FM culture and the CSU work experience into an inclusive, just, and connected community. There are numerous examples of how his service and presence fosters a supportive work environment and improves the campus climate. One of many examples include his involvement with the Facilities Friends program, a joint effort of the JEDI Team and FM Engagement & Recognition Committee. The program contributes to new FM employees’ sense of community, helping them feel valued and welcomed to CSU Facilities Management. Since the program’s launch in April 2023, Harrison has reached out to 14 new employees offering to be their “Facilities Friend.” This volunteer work involves tracking new employee information on a spreadsheet and expenses associated with the meet ups; reaching out to via email (and in person) and committing to meet with new employees outside one’s own section or group; taking them for coffee and a casual tour of campus in their first few months of working with FM; informally answering questions or sharing information about employee resources and CSU; and a month later, meeting back up for further conversation and a meal at one of the dining halls on campus. At the end of the Facilities Friends experience, new employees are asked to take a brief survey and given the opportunity to anonymously comment on the program. One of Harrison’s Facilities Friends wrote, “I really enjoyed the casual and friendly approach of the Facilities Friends program. I loved meeting and getting to know Harrison and it was clear that he was eager to help me feel comfortable adjusting to a new position. I found it refreshing to talk with someone in facilities who was in a different department than grounds to get a new perspective on working for CSU.” Another person shared, “Harrison is a great person to be involved with this program. It’s great to know I have another outlet if needed,” and “As I told Harrison, not feeling like a number, getting recognized as a person, and having someone who legitimately cares about how you feel in your place of work and\or position is something that I am not use to but it is extremely nice and I appreciated this program. I feel many will enjoy it as well.” Harrison regularly takes the initiative to connect with State Classified employees outside his typical
    project management duties. For both programs, he helps to create a space where State Classified employees have a voice; he tries to establish a work environment that employees will want to keep returning to and feel connected to. Both efforts are significant in scale because they connect colleagues across eight FM sections in a department of 500+ employees; FM State Classified employees speak English, Spanish, and a few other languages, they work across multiple locations and campuses, and have very different types of positions and roles. Building community and inclusion among this type of diversity is often a challenge, but Harrison willingly shows up to do the work and engage on behalf of the CSU FM community. Harrison’s integrity and commitment led to this nomination for the Positive Action Award.

•  Lakesha Hershfeldt – CSU Extension-Eastern Region
  • Lakesha Hershfeldt is a shining star in our office at the CSU Northeast Regional Engagement Center and a genuine example of someone who dedicates themselves to making positive change in an organization. The staff at the CSU Northeast Regional Engagement Center in Sterling recently did a Strengths Finder program, and it was no surprise to any of us that one of Lakesha’s top five strengths is “Positivity”. Lakesha consistently uses her positive energy and enthusiasm to make the work environment better for State Classified employees and the community better for all people. Lakesha is one of five regional administrative support staff for Extension. Soon after she was hired, Lakesha emerged as a key member of this group and is viewed by staff and leadership alike as an informal leader. Lakesha brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her position. She is skilled in data management and moving information across cloud infrastructures, and is always searching for a more efficient and better organized way to do her work. She then develops and shares these improved processes with others. As a result, this administrative group has collaborated and designed a number of innovative tools and procedures to collect and share information with Extension leadership. Lakesha’s commitment to giving State Classified and other administrative staff the tools they need to be successful at their jobs goes far beyond an annual conference. She frequently speaks up in meetings to be the voice for this group with staff and leadership at all levels. She participates in meetings with the Extension Regional Directors and is always very forward about what the Extension administrative staff needs from leadership to be most successful. She questions policies and procedures and why they exist. She will then take charge and make sure any needs are truly met and that commitments made from leadership are truly followed through on behalf of her administrative staff. Lakesha was also invited by Office of Engagement and Extension leadership, and accepted the offer, to serve as the Administrative Support Staff Representative to the Extension Faculty Executive Council. It is believe she was invited to do this because she has become well known throughout Extension and CSU as being the voice of her peers, and being a valued representative by both peers and leadership alike. Lakesha is on recurring calls with State Classified staff and other administrative staff members, and her positive attitude and caring spirit always comes through to support staff in anything they are working on. Lakesha has truly emerged as a leader and mentor for State Classified and administrative staff in CSU Extension. She is a model of positive attitude and always go above and beyond to create positive change in every process or system in the CSU Office of Engagement and Extension.

•  Joan Paulsen – Facilities Management
  • Joan Paulsen is a P.M. custodial supervisor for Facilities Management (FM) Operations and a state classified employee who has worked for FM for 26 years. She fosters a supportive work environment for State Classified employees and works to improve the campus climate through her involvement with both the SPARK Program and the Facilities Friends Program. One of many examples includes Joan’s involvement with the FM Engagement & Recognition Committee (ERC). Joan is the only remaining founding member still involved with the ERC and was part of the original committee process of researching methods of recognition that work; reaching out to FM employees by engaging in listening sessions and hearing employee concerns about past failed programs; and then developing a program and budget intended to make a meaningful difference in the culture of our department. That process included education about the program through consistency to achieve buy-in from the community. Joan’s dependability volunteering for this program has contributed to a successful response within the custodial services group specifically. Before the committee’s efforts to create the SPARK award, there was not a standard mechanism for recognizing employees within FM. FM has the largest population of State Classified personnel employed at CSU with approximately 375-400+ State Classified staff working across the CSU campuses in many different roles. A SPARK Award provides a timely way to recognize outstanding employee efforts that demonstrate the FM Core Values (caring, collaborative, experts, good stewards, progressive) and embody the Principles of Community. FM employees receive acknowledgement and a $20 gift card of their choice. In general, most employees who receive this award are State Classified. Joan was there in the beginning stages of creating the program and she continues to make it a priority to attend monthly ERC meetings in person, coming in early for her shift for eight years now. She also comes in early twice a month for the P.M. SPARK redemptions (occurring on the first and third Wednesday of the month in the afternoon) when employees trade in their award for a gift card. She has recruited multiple volunteers from the custodial teams to help serve on the ERC, a champion and leader whose efforts ensure the program stays functioning and reliable. The work she does as part of the ERC is significant because it sets an expectation that employees should and will be recognized for the everyday demonstration of FM values in their work. The result is that SPARK is now an accepted part of FM culture, and especially thrives within the FM custodial services
    community. Joan regularly takes the initiative to improve the experience of State Classified employees outside her typical custodial duties—and especially for the P.M. workers. Both efforts she works on are significant in scale because the P.M. shift employees are often less connected to the activities and initiatives of the department, and CSU as a whole, due to the nature of the hours they work. Building community and promoting appreciation of the hard work that employees do who are often “invisible” to the wider community is important work that needs to be done. Joan takes time to make State Classified employees feel welcome, seen, and connected. Joan’s commitment to employees on the P.M. shift and to creating this type of environment for FM workers is the reason she is recommended for the Positive Action Award. It is an honor to have met her through these various initiatives and am grateful for her investment in our community.

(https://source.colostate.edu/classified-personnel-council-announces-annual-awards-at-april-11-banquet/)

2023

• Technician Advisory Council (a team of 13) – Veterinary Teaching Hospital
  • The Technician Advisory Council (TAC) for the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is a new group that was established in early 2022. The main purpose of TAC was to create a unified front within the hospital so that state classified employees have a recognized representation in large decisions made for the future of the VTH. Since this group was established there has been a significant improvement in the culture for the vast number of employees who aid in the function of daily operations and hope to continue to do so long term. The veterinary technician career path has well known difficulties with burn out and poor staffing due representation within the field. The council is the first time that there is an organized location for concerns, deliberation and advocacy for state classified veterinary technicians in one of the leading veterinary schools in the country. A few things that this group has already been able to accomplish in the short time since their induction include working with the administration and ELT on addressing pressing concerns for technical staff including but not limited to: working environment, pay increases, benefits, opening channels of communication, continuing education opportunities, helping to coordinate a technician specific appreciation week, bringing the needs of the technical staff to the attention of the administration (lactation room remodel, discussions of food options for all staff, issues with short staffing and retention of employees) etc. They have also been able to help open the lines of communication regarding new technician title protection legislation between CSU administration and the governing body of technicians the Colorado Association of Certified Technicians (CACVT). Overall they have provided a voice for every technician in the hospital, which allows a hard working group of people to not only feel heard but also appreciated.

(https://source.colostate.edu/celebrate-colorado-state-award-winners-for-2023/)

2022

• Aggie Village General Labor Team (a team of 10) – Housing & Dining Services
  • This group demonstrated above and beyond dedication, serving Housing & Dining Services throughout the pandemic, even during a staff shortage when the team decreased by more than half. On top of regular duties such as responding to maintenance work orders, keeping all public spaces clean, regular apartment turnovers, and more, they were responsible for quickly turning over apartments that were set aside for quarantine use and provided extra quarantine services such as throwing away residents’ personal trash, refilling pandemic supplies, delivering packages, and completing disinfection of public spaces twice daily. The team took on a new responsibility of equipment repair for the entire Environmental Services team. When taking over this responsibility they had 40+ work orders in the queue and caught up within one month while still accomplishing their standard work. They pushed on through the additional duties and low staff numbers, completing the work accurately, in a timely manner,  and continuing to stay as positive as possible, understanding how important the work they do is, not only to residents but to their colleagues in Housing & Dining Services as a whole. They follow the Principles of Community and are committed to meeting customer needs and serving CSU even through challenging times.
• Kelly Hixson – Housing & Dining Services
  • Kelly Hixson is a Custodial II/Environmental Services Supervisor for Housing & Dining Services-Facilities. She serves on the Afternoon Hours Team (the team that takes calls in the middle of the night to address various facilities concerns that impact students, including vomit clean-up to larger-scale flood clean-up). She is always willing to lend a hand to help and is someone the team knows they can count on. Another State Classified staff member shared the following about Kelly regarding the positive impact she is making in the lives of other State Classified staff: “Kelly is a very hard-working supervisor. She brought together two different teams this summer and kept us all on track to finish a partner team’s area and do extra areas by the time school started in the fall. They included and integrated both teams to work together as a whole new team. Kelly had frequent meetings with us so we all knew where we were and where we had to go. Kelly played music and worked right beside us taking care of our tasks. She was good at picking up on people’s personalities and what interests that person had, then they would send us job opportunities that might be a good fit for that person. Kelly is always trying to get her employees to strive for something more. She respects everyone on their new team and gave us all a chance to do a variety of different tasks and new learning opportunities. Kelly encouraged us all, and kept our spirits high in the heat of summer! It was actually a nice summer working with new people and getting to know them and we all worked together to make work fun and light but still maintain our quota for the day. Kelly always follows the rules and expects everyone to do the same. She has more information in their head than anyone else I know! Just little tidbits of information about benefits, or insurance, or parking, or campus history, I’m sure I could keep going. Kelly is also involved in many extra committees always showing their concern and care for our students and staff alike.”

2021

• Lory Student Center Custodial Team
  • This group of State Classified employees at CSU quietly makes a difference EVERY DAY to students, Admin Professionals, and other State Classified Employees on daily basis, but their efforts and impact have been magnified since the pandemic began in March of 2020. Unlike many CSU employees, this group has worked in person, daily, though the various stages of the pandemic, working to keep the LSC clean and safe for our employees to work, for our students to study, and for our businesses to operate. The truth of the matter is that our success as a building (as businesses, student affairs offices, events, and public spaces) rests on their shoulders. They have taken on this work with a pride and work ethic that is admirable. In addition, many of our LSC Custodial Staff are reliable friendly faces to any regular in the building, students and AP/State Classified staff alike. They are always wiling to lend a hand, share a smile or friendly greeting, and bring light and positivity into the building. I hope that they know how much they are valued and appreciated.
• Housing and Dining Services – Residential Dining
  • The Residential Dining Services team went above and beyond this past year to adapt to an entirely new way of operating to ensure the safety and well-being of its customers.  Dining collaborated with HDS partners to ensure that when students were moved to quarantine housing, they were provided with an abundance of nutritious meals throughout their stay. Dining leadership and staff at all levels took the lead to ensure that operations would meet the diverse needs of the customer. A new mobile ordering system was implemented to allow students, faculty, and staff to reserve a pick-up time to grab their meals in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines and much time and thought also went into the purchasing of various eco-friendly to-go containers and bags to ensure the food would stay fresh while maintaining the department’s commitment to CSU’s sustainability efforts. In addition, the department formed a task force dedicated to the restructuring of our dining center menus with a focus on variety and nutrition while also meeting new budgetary standards. They stayed true to their vision and mission, which is to, “deliver an outstanding dining experience crafted by an engaged team dedicated to social and environmental responsibilities,” in turn creating a positive campus climate for us all.

2020

• Robyn Fergus
  • Robyn has been at CSU for less than a year, but in that time, she has worked with CPC to identify needs and support options for State Classified Employees. Coming into a new role is no easy task, but Robyn has always been enthusiastic about her work and works to come up with innovative approaches to solving problems. With Robyn’s direction, we have been able to roll out a new performance management training module, and with her guidance, we plan on focusing on the culture of performance management at CSU beyond the basic requirements. CPC looks forward to working with Robyn moving forward into the next year and beyond!
• Rams Against Hunger
  • The goal of Rams Against Hunger at Colorado State University is to serve as emergency food relief for Colorado State University undergraduate students experiencing food insecurity – but their efforts such as the mobile food pantry have also provided significant relief for the greater CSU community including faculty and staff. Food insecurity broadly defined is “the state of being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.” CPC is beyond grateful for the support and programs that Ram’s Against Hunger provides, and we hope to continue partnering with this program in the future by volunteering at the mobile food pantry pick-ups.

2019

• Living Wage Committee
  • A committee, with representatives from across the institution, including the employee councils, worked to determine a living wage for CSU employees. The committee agreed that the first step in this process was to increase salaries that are below $30,000 to $30,000. Which meant full and part-time state classified and administrative professional employees with annual salaries below $30,000 would receive an increase bringing their salary to $30,000. The implementation of the living wage initiative was approved by campus administration and was implemented on September 1, 2018. Approximately 375 state classified, and 25 administrative professional employees were impacted by this initiative.The committee also worked to identify appropriate increases for employees earning an amount just above the line of the new living wage, so that their pay also increases to reflect their current job level and years of service. This situation is referred to as wage compression. Employees affected by wage compression were also being notified of wage increases. Increases addressing compression were determined by the years of service, the level of an employee’s classification, and most current performance rating.
• Lauri Loyd and Jean West
  • Jean and Lauri are the heart of the Administration area within Housing & Dining Services and have made tremendous contributions to the morale of all employees in the department in the following ways:
    • Jean has served on the Communications and Morale committee that includes an employee recognition program and planning department events that recognize our employees.
    • Lauri provides support for staff training and workshops to employees with an annual three-day conference-style training.
    • They both provide support to the HDS Human Resources department which includes Payroll and Employment. Employees come in sometimes distraught or nervous about meetings and Jean and Lauri always make them feel supported and comfortable.
    • They always have the best interest of all of the HDS staff at heart when decisions are being made that may affect staff. It may not seem like much, but HDS has almost 500 full-time State Classified and Admin Pro employees.

2018

• Marsha Benedetti
  • Under the leadership and vision of Marsha Benedetti – the office of Talent Development made several key hires. Concurrently, developed the curriculum and delivery format for a Supervisor Development program and a path for supervisors to earn a Certificate in Supervision.Over the past two years, Marsha and the office of Talent Development have crafted, improved and delivered a series of Foundational, Core and Elective Classes – all part of the (now required!) Supervisor Development Program.While the program may still be young – the first group of Supervisor Development Program graduates is now actively utilizing and applying their new skills and knowledge across campus. It will not be long now before we (hopefully) begin to see an upswing of positive comments related to supervisors in our Campus Climate Survey. Who do we have to thank – Marsha Benedetti. Marsha has been a steady and committed champion of supervisor development. Her continuous and collaborative efforts are delivering results to the CSU community – making CSU a better place to work for state classified employees and all employees. I may have a few of the details wrong but, there is no one more deserving of recognition of a CPC Positive Action Award than Marsha Benedetti.

2017

• Erika Borges and Kellie Rainwater
  • Erica Borges has worked in the Office of the VPUO for ~7 years
  • Kellie had worked in the VPUO for ~5 years
  • While it may be a part of their position descriptions to provide support to numerous Council activities – the CPC is very happy to recognize these two individuals for their tireless assistance, endless patience, and gracious
    • Outstanding Achievement Award management – schedule, pictures, framing, etc.; support and logistics for the Educational Assistance Awards; Milestone letters for SC employees; welcome letters for new SC employees, scheduling our meetings with Lynn; and assist with annual the CPC new member election process; and likely millions of other little details I will never know because they are handled so seamlessly
  • Thank you thank you – for all you do – know that it matters and we are grateful

2015

• Teri Suhr and Jackie Swaro – Human Resources Benefits Unit
  
  • Teri and Jackie were recognized for providing resources to empower State Classified employees to make the best benefit decisions for themselves and their families. Without their dedication, few (if any) State-sponsored vendors would have attended the 2015 State Classified Benefits Fair since the State of Colorado decided to discontinue holding benefits fairs across the state.

• President’s Commission on Women & Gender Equity
  
  • The Commission was recognized for leading the Ripple Effect Grant Proposal process and creating workshops to teach employees how to write a proposal.  They were also nominated for their University-wide efforts to ensure equal access and opportunity for all employees and giving women a stronger voice.

2014

• Lanai Greenhalgh – Ombuds and Employee Assistance Program
  
  • Lanai was recognized for the assistance she provided to employees who lost their homes or were displaced from natural disasters. Her remarkable way of reaching out to offer support without being intrusive helped many employees deal with the emotional impact and the physical realities of their situation.

2013

• Amy Parsons & Commitment to Campus program – University Operations
  
  • Amy Parsons and the task force was recognized for all the work that has gone into Commitment to Campus.  There are a variety of benefits offered to all employees of the University.  These benefits make employees feel valued especially during an economic downturn and salary freezes.

2012

• Melissa Shrader – Facilities Management
  
  • Melissa was recognized for her dedication to the lactation room program, as part of the Commitment to Campus initiative.  She researched and provided the use of viable locations with underutilized spaces.  She measured, prepared diagrams, and estimated the costs for each location. Once that was all approved, Melissa created the work orders, ordered the furniture, and revisited the sites as needed to bring each room up to the conditions needed for new moms to use.  Finally, Melissa took on the responsibility, without being asked or expected to do so, of being the “front door” of the program by volunteering her contact information online so that there is always someone available to help schedule a room, explain how to get access, and address any problems or issues that might arise.

2011

• The Office of the Vice President for Research
  • Since Fall 2009, the ODLA team significantly contributed to State Classified by promoting professional development, employee recognition, and staff events. The ODLA team, comprised of a state-classified or administrative professional representative from each of the six divisions plus the OVPR, was chaired by Margaret Saldana, Organizational Development and Learning Assessment coordinator.

2010

• Tom Biedscheid – Student Financial Services
  • Tom was recognized for his innovative ideas which promote positive experiences for both employees in Student Financial Services and the students they serve.  Tom coordinated “Green Team” in SFS and guided the department in reducing their paper usage. Tom also organizes staff events which promote working together and also allowed for exploring the competitive side of the SFS staff.  Tom’s co-workers stated his leadership style encourages them to set the bar very high for goals within the department and at a University level.

2009

• Tag Team Towers – Operations Management, Housing and Dining Services
  • The Tag Team Towers (a group of State Classified and Administrative Professional employees who provide custodial and maintenance services as well as administrative and residential support for Durward and Westfall halls, known as “The Towers” on campus) was recognized for the way the staff members on the team have come together and modeled positive communication and team-building for other teams in the department.

2008

• Facilities Process Improvement Committee
  • This Committee was recognized for its work in building a foundation of cooperation by encouraging open communication and respect. Positions on the Committee are open to front line employees who work together in leadership roles to improve the morale of employees. The Committee has used employee surveys to engage others and direct their energies in avenues of value to the employees.

2007

• Bill Cole – Operations Management, Housing & Dining Services
  • Bill encouraged and supported employee efforts to launch several innovative programs. His leadership models integrity, credibility, and follow-through and was the driving force for the positive changes in the Division.

2006

• College of Veterinary Medicine & Bio-Medical Sciences
  • For efforts in surveying employee needs and acting on results such as piloting feedback mechanisms for supervisors and increasing employee recognition efforts.