Employee of the Month
The Staff Employee Advocacy Council would like to recognize the outstanding contributions made by our staff members each day. It is our goal to choose one full- or part-time employee each month to celebrate as someone who is positively impacting our campus community. This person should be someone who works hard to support the University, someone who has added to the campus community in some way, and someone with whom others enjoy working.
Employee of the Month
Brett Vester Named March 2024
Employee of the Month
Brett Vester, Associated Director of Technology , was selected as the March 2024 SEAC Employee of the Month.
Nominators spoke about Brett’s dedication to teamwork, service to others, and commitment to Valparaiso University:
“Brett and I have worked together for a long time. I first worked with him when I was the operations person at the Harre Union and he was my go-to IT person for help with the Union technology. No matter what was going on or how frustrating the circumstances, Brett was there to help. He continues to help the Union to this day with streaming events, and other projects, some of which should not typically fall to him. Now that I work in IT along side Brett I can further attest to his dedication and get-it-done attitude. He takes care of any problem that presents itself and is dependable day or night.
When Jonathan Plant left the University, there was a big knowledge gap for me as I took over his responsibilities. Brett has had some experience in the OneCard access system and jumped in, helping me without hesitation. He has let me bounce ideas off him and covered OneCard requests for me when I am out of the office. I honestly would have been truly overwhelmed and vastly lost without his help during this transition.
Beyond just being helpful and getting things done, he is also a good coworker. He invests in the IT culture managing a fantasy football group for our department and a few outside it and perpetuates great customer service to those in need of IT support. He gets to know the IT student staff, answering questions from them often and overall being a great person to work with. This is why I think Brett Vester should be considered for the SEAC EOM.”
“I am thrilled to nominate Mr. Brett Vester, our esteemed Associate Director of Technology, for the well-deserved recognition of Employee of the Month.
Brett is more than just a colleague; he embodies the spirit of excellence both as an individual and as an employee. His profound expertise in all things IT, combined with his remarkable patience and good-hearted nature, make him an exceptional leader within our university community.
One of Brett’s defining qualities is his unwavering dedication to going above and beyond the call of duty. It’s not uncommon to find him tirelessly traversing from building to building, with his exact mission sometimes shrouded in mystery for most. However, one thing remains certain: he is relentlessly focused on solving problems and enhancing the IT infrastructure campus-wide. Thanks to his unyielding commitment, our staff, faculty, and students enjoy a seamlessly functioning environment where computers hum, doors open, systems advance, and technology flows effortlessly. It’s a testament to his skill and dedication that most people only notice his vital work when the machines momentarily cease their harmonious operation.
In recognition of Brett’s enduring contributions, I wholeheartedly recommend him for Employee of the Month. His tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on every corner of our campus, from Wesemann to Urschel and everywhere in between. Through his dedication, he has ensured that everyone at Valparaiso University has reliable and accessible computer and A/V systems at their fingertips.
Brett Vester is not just an invaluable asset to our institution; he is the very embodiment of what we aspire to achieve in our employees. I hope you will consider this nomination with the same hard work and enthusiasm that Brett brings to his role every day.”
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nominations must be for a regular full-time, limited full-time, or part-time appointed staff employee who has worked at the University for at least 90 days. Faculty, deans, and students are not eligible.
- Any Valparaiso University staff member, faculty member, student, or alumni may submit a nomination via the Google Form on the SEAC website or on a paper ballot at the Harre Union Welcome Desk or the front desk at Don Hovey.
- A committee of SEAC members who comprise the Recognition Committee will select the winning nominee each month at their regularly scheduled meeting.
If you believe you know someone that meets those criteria, please submit this form to nominate them!
Winning nominees will receive recognition in the Campus Chronicle and at SEAC events, and they will receive several small prizes as a token of our appreciation for their outstanding work.
Congratulations to Past Employee of the Month winners!
We are so thankful to have you on our University Team!
| DATE | NAME | TITLE | LINK |
| February 2024 | Amy Rodriguez | Visitor Services Coordinator | Photo |
| January 2024 | Patty Jarosz | Academic Advisor, College of Engineering | Photo |
| December 2023 | Melizza Zygmunt | Executive Director of Office of Institutional Effectiveness | Photo |
| November 2023 | Jes Janssen | Senior Assistant Director of Admission & Financial Aid | Photo |
| October 2023 | Wendy Paterson | Administrative Assistant, CAS | Photo |
| September 2023 | Daniel Haynes | Director of Maintenance | Photo |
| August 2023 | James Richards | Director of University Photography and Videography | Photo |
| July 2023 | Emma Kelley | Professional Educators Partnership Coordinator | Photo |
| June 2023 | Sage Messenger | Assistant Director for Residential Life |  Photo |
| May 2023 | July Ordaz | Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs, Advancement | Photo |
| April 2023 | Karen Stacy | Administrative Assistant to the Dean, CONHP | Photo |
| March 2023 | Carrie Miller | Administrative Assistant, CAS | Photo |
| February 2023 | Kyle Rhein | Officer, Valparaiso University Police Department | Photo |
| January 2023 | Sue Kukurugya | Assistant Director of Enterprise Process & Projects, IT | Photo |
| December 2022 | Isis Drosos | Administrative Assistant to the Dean, CAS | Photo |
| November 2022 | Kate Patterson | Administrative Assistant, CONHP | Photo |
| October 2022 | Michele Pickering | Landscape Manager, Facilities Management | Photo |
| September 2022 | Julie Whitaker | Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, Facilities Management | Photo |
| August 2022 | Christina Hearne | Director, Access and Accommodation Resource Center | Photo |
| July 2022 | Denise Aponte | Director of Student Accounts | Photo |
| June 2022 | Kristin Flodder | Administrative Assistant, Music and Theatre | Photo |
| May 2022 | Adam Klos | Parking and Transportation Manager | Photo |
| April 2022 | Stephanie Kinkade | Assistant Director of Student Services, Graduate School | Photo |
| March 2022 | Bob Sokol | Technical Equipment Specialist, College of Engineering | Photo |
| February 2022 | Ann Weitgenant | Associate Director of Financial Aid | Photo |
| January 2022 | Paul Lapsansky | Director of Technical Services, IT | Photo |
| December 2021 | Katrina Brechner | Degree Audit Coordinator, Registrar | Photo |
| November 2021 | Christine Mileusnich | Building Service Technician, Facilities Management (ARC) | Photo |
| October 2021 | Kaila Neasman | Instructional Technologist and Blackboard Administrator | Photo |
| September 2021 | Jodi Gass | Administrative Assistant, CONHP (PA Program) | Photo |
| August 2021 | Daniela Trajceski | Program Coordinator for International & Global Engagement | Photo |
| July 2021 | Angie Taylor | Administrative Assistant, Valparaiso University Center for the Arts | Photo |
| June 2021 | Ryan Bye | Director, Student Involvement & New Student Programs | Photo |
| May 2021 | Colette Williams | Coordinator, Accounts Payable, Finance Office | Photo |
| April 2021 | Jennifer Smolnicky | Academic Advisor, CONHP | Photo |
| March 2021 | Alyssa Darrol | Assistant Registrar, Office of the Registrar | Photo |
| February 2021 | Lisa Dorsey | Office Manager, Counseling Center | Photo |
| January 2021 | Jean Marshall | Supervisor, Building Services, Facilities Management | Photo |
| December 2020 | Mary Patton | Manager of University Mail Services | Photo |
| November 2020 | Melanie Trowbridge | Associate Director of Continuous Improvement, IT | Photo |
| October 2020 | Laura Sanders | Director of the Hesse Learning Center, COE | Photo |
| September 2020 | Kelly Eshenaur | Director of the Health Center | Photo |
| August 2020 | Bonnie Dahlke Goebbert | Asst. Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Student Life | Photo |
| July 2020 | Dave Sierkowski | Chief Information Office, IT | Photo |
| June 2020 | All Staff | Service during COVID-19 Pandemic | |
| May 2020 | Ali Urbanczyk | Registrar, Office of the Registrar | Photo |
| April 2020 | Kevin Steele | Director of Instructional Technology, Design & Assessment, VITAL | Photo |
| March 2020 | Emily Prough | Sr. Coordinator of International Student Services, OIP | Photo |
| February 2020 | Carrie Whittier | Asst. Dean of Students for Greek Life, Leadership and Volunteer Programs, Student Affairs | Photo |
| January 2020 | Ron Taylor | Building Service Technician, Facilities Management | Photo |
| December 2019 | Doug Rogers & Eric Kwiecien | Maintenance Services Technicians, FM | Photo |
| November 2019 | Rich Miller | Technical Support Specialist, IT | Photo |
| October 2019 | Jon Hendricks | Director of University Photography & Videography | Photo |
| September 2019 | Alan Mangene | Building Service Technician, Facilities Management | Photo |
| August 2019 | Carol Goss | Director, Language Resource Center | Photo |
| July 2019 | Carrie Palkovich | Director of Transfer Enrollment, Admissions | Photo |
| June 2019 | Heather Kimes-Perez | Manager, Student Mail Center | Photo |
| May 2019 | Theresa Kark | Facility and Set-Up Coordinator, Harre Union | Photo |
| April 2019 | Brian Innes | Maintenance Services Technician A, FM | Photo |
| March 2019 | Cassie Hopkins | Director of University Events, Office of the President | Photo |
| February 2019 | Mark Webber | Transportation Service Driver, Transportation | Photo |
| January 2019 | Gail Beischer | Founders Server/Cashier, Dining Services | Photo |
| December 2018 | Shelby Topping | Administrative Assistant, CAS | Photo |
