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February 2026 | HR Monthly Bulletin

Welcome our new Bearcats!

Dr. Rose Marie Ward

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Bonnie Clowdus

Custodian - 2nd shift
Facility Services

Bethany Kernen

Custodian - 2nd shift
Facility Services

Employee Anniversaries

Congratulations to these employees for their milestone years of service
in February 2026!

5 YEARS

Roberto Davis Assistant Football Coach Department of Athletics
Amiee Hoffman Custodian - 3rd shift Facility Services

30 YEARS

Lisa Raasch Custodian - 3rd shift Facility Services

TRANSFERS & PROMOTIONS

Shelbi Pieper Lead Academic Advisor & Success Coach Office of Academic Success & Retention

Upcoming Events

Upcoming tornado drills

Northwest, along with the National Weather Service, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local emergency management offices, are organizing tornado drills during March in preparation for severe weather.

Northwest will test its indoor emergency operations, including the Bearcat Alert texting system, during tornado drills at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 11. In case of actual inclement weather on the days of the scheduled tornado drills, Northwest will test at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

Severe weather procedures are posted prominently in campus offices and throughout each building on the Northwest campus, and they are accessible on the HazAdapt app. The University encourages campus-wide participation in the drill.

Click this link to learn more.


Employee tour opportunity

In alignment with Northwest's focus on enrollment growth, campus tours are available to employees approximately once a month during the academic year. This campus tour experience is the same tour that prospective students and families are offered. It is a great opportunity for employees who are newer to campus as well as for employees who have been a part of the Northwest community for quite some time. 

Tours leave from Mabel Cook Recruitment and Visitors Center and encompass a 90-minute walking tour. Tours are led by Northwest student ambassadors and allow the campus community to see how our campus is showcased.

Click here to register.


Clarifying Stereotypes & Misconceptions About Identities

Dr. Shay Malone, assistant vice president for institutional excellence and global engagement
Center for Engagement and Community Connection
Thursday, March 19, 4-5 p.m.
Student Union Boardroom

History, personal upbringing, lack of exposure and media can all shape and distort our perceptions of identities. This workshop explores the changing demographics of our community and confronts persistent stereotypes regarding various identities. Attendees will consider the incredible diversity found within various cultural traditions and how people might unknowingly incorporate them.


HERstory

Celebrate the accomplishments of women in our community and share stories during the month of March.

walk with her

Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse

Women on campus and in the Maryville, community are invited to an afternoon designed to connect, get active, clear our minds and take some steps. 

paint & sip

Tuesday, March 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
J.W. Jones Student Union Living Room

Participate in a paint-and-sip event with mocktails, led by Associate Professor Art Dr. Karen Britt.

Click here for more information about HERstory activities.


Northwest Awards and Recognition Ceremony

Monday, March 30
Refreshments begin at 3 p.m. with presentations starting at 3:15 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom

This event is a collaborative celebration to recognize excellence among Northwest students and employees.


Mandatory training

Northwest's Vector SafeColleges trainings are assigned to all employees annually and related to a variety of topics. Click here to log in and complete the training.

Workday update

The Workday project team advanced end-to-end (E2E) testing earlier this month during a three-day onsite session with our implementation partner, Alchemy. Opportunities to participate in the next phase of testing in May will be shared soon.

The change network launched earlier this month, providing team members with project updates, a sneak peek of the Workday system and guidance on sharing information with University stakeholders. This integral group will continue meeting monthly to gather feedback and share updates across their Northwest networks.   

Recent Workday wins

Watch a brief sneak peek of the Workday system » (login required)

For more information or to provide feedback, visit the Workday project website by clicking this link.


Pay Transition Update
Upcoming payroll process change reminder and what to expect 

Northwest will transition from a monthly pay schedule to a bi-weekly pay schedule, totaling 26 pay periods. This change is part of the broader Workday implementation and supports improved payroll accuracy, consistency, time tracking and compliance. We recognize that a change in pay timing is significant and may affect employees differently. Northwest is committed to clear communication and ongoing support as we prepare for this important transition. 

Beginning in July, paychecks will be issued every two weeks, based on earned and recorded time worked within the pay period, and aligned with contract terms where applicable (e.g. faculty). Individual paycheck amounts will be smaller as annual compensation is spread across 26 paychecks instead of 12, but total annual pay remains unchanged. Because a bi-weekly pay schedule operates on a fixed 14-day cycle, two months each year will include three pay periods. 

What Northwest is doing to support employees 

In the coming months, the University will continue to provide information and resources to help employees understand the change, including: 

Payroll transition frequently asked questions 

Employees are encouraged to review common questions about the payroll transition and bi-weekly payroll structure in myNorthwest (login required).

Questions and feedback may be submitted through the Workday project feedback form

Additional information is posted to the Workday website as it becomes available. 

Compensation Model Update

For more information, visit the Compensation webpage by clicking this link.

Opportunities to get involved

Bearcat Book Club 

In honor of Northwest’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Bearcat Book Club will read Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States.“

This landmark book offers a reexamination of American history by centering the experiences of everyday people rather than traditional political leaders. First published in 1980, it traces U.S. history from Columbus's arrival to the modern era, highlighting the voices of women, workers, African Americans, Native Americans, and other historically underrepresented groups. Discussions for faculty and staff will focus on historical perspective, civic responsibility, institutional roles, and how understanding these groups can contribute to a more informed and connected campus.  

Bearcat Book Club meetings are virtual. Enrollment remains open throughout the semester for interested participants. Sign up by clicking here


Lattes & Learning

Join the Center for Engagement and Community Connection for casual working discussions over coffee. You don’t need to have read a specific article — just bring your thoughts, ideas and a willingness to learn about all the things happening in the world of higher education. The space is open to Northwest employees at all levels and is perfect for sparking new ideas in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. 


Employee Resource Groups

Affinity groups are designed to create safe spaces for members to share and process experiences. Affinity group also allows participants the opportunity to identify ways in which we can appropriately use privilege to bring about social change. For more information, visit Northwest affinity groups.

Association of Black Employees Logo

Contact Giselle Greenidge at ggreenidge@nwmissouri.edu 

LGBTQIA Logo

Contact Elyssa Ford at ebford@nwmissouri.edu 

ALLY Affinity Group Logo

Contact ALLY@nwmissouri.edu 

Community-Connections-logo

Contact Maryvillecommunityconnections@gmail.com

women in academia

Contact Jessie Peter 
at jpeter@nwmissouri.edu

 

 

young professionals

     Contact Garrison Kennedy at GKENNEDY@nwmissouri.edu

 

Mental health and wellness resources

The Office of Human Resources highlights the following resources that employees may use as necessary. Mindful by BlueKC, the EAP and TAO are completely confidential.

Mindful by BlueKC

Mindful by BlueKC is a behavioral health initiative dedicated to reducing stigma around behavioral health in our communities while making care accessible and affordable for members. Mindful by Blue KC is a commitment to covering the health needs of the whole person and comes to life as a set of tools and resources to address stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and more. This ensures that members can access and afford the behavioral health care they need. 

Mindful Advocates are available 24/7 and are licensed behavioral health clinicians who match members to providers and guide care plans. Mindful Advocates may be contacted at 833.302.6463. For more information, visit Mindful by BlueKC initiative.


Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

All Northwest employees are eligible to use Ability Assist Counseling Services sponsored by The Hartford. Click here to read about the benefits this program offers.


TAO-Therapy Assistance Online

This is a private online library of behavioral health resources. It is a free and confidential resource available to Northwest employees and students. For more information, visit TAO-Therapy Assistance Online. 

Wellness Services is offering a variety of online programing. Follow Wellness Services on Twitter and Instagram at @nw_wellness for updates.


Lucet resource program center

The center provides reliable information about a variety of mental and behavioral health topics. For more information, visit Lucet Health Resources.

For information about a specific substance use, visit Lucet Substance Use Disorders Center or call the Substance Use Disorder Hotline at 877.326.2458.

If you have questions, email healthybearcat@nwmissouri.edu.

Benefits Spotlight

BlueKC SmartShopper Program: Earn cash reward for shopping and saving on medical procedures

Northwest partners with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) to offer employees a share of the savings – in cash – when you shop for a medical procedure and select a cost-effective, in-network provider using SmartShopper.

Medical procedures can have vastly different costs depending on where you receive care. SmartShopper makes it easy to shop and save on a procedure and earn a cash reward for doing so. Here’s how it works:

When a doctor recommends a medical procedure, follow these steps: 

  1. Log in at MyBlueKC.com and select Find Care
  2. Select Find Doctors, Specialists & Hospitals
  3. Click the Find Care button in the pop-up
  4. Select the SmartShopper Rewards tile for your search
  5. Receive care at a SmartShopper-eligible, in-network location of your choice.
  6. After the claim is paid, SmartShopper will mail you a reward check.

See below for additional information about the program.

Benefits & Wellness Information

Blue KC now offering Medicare advisor services

Blue Cross is now offering Medicare guidance for eligible employees that include one-on-one consultations, enrollment guidance and transition, and general Medicare education.

Click this link to learn more about services offered and reach out to a representative. (PDF)


BlueKC prescription drug list updates

The Blue KC Medical and Pharmacy Management Committee reviews and maintains the prescription drug list. The Committee, consisting of practicing physicians and pharmacists in the Kansas City area, holds quarterly meetings to evaluate new drug therapies and review drug utilization issues. Medications are evaluated based on drug safety and costs.

Click here for a complete list of premium formulary updates, effective July 1, 2025. (PDF)

How BlueKC will communicate these changes

Blue KC is taking proactive steps to limit disruption, including:


Financial wellness resources

Northwest’s 403b plan administrator OMNI/TSAGC has several resources available to employees on topics such as retirement savings plans, managing personal finances, college funding options and how to navigate Social Security and Medicare.

Calculators, videos and informative content on various topics can help guide employees in their planning process. To explore the Financial Wellness Center, visit https://usrbpfinancialwellness.com.

Click here to read the Fall 2025 employee newsletter.


Hartford offering empathy life essentials services

The Hartford is now offering empathy life essentials services to our employees in addition to the employee assistance program. Some of these services include funeral planning, will preparation and bereavement support. To learn more about services offered, click here. (PDF)


Benefits Resource Center

USI's Benefits Resource Center is a free resource service for employees and encourages you to reach out for any information, questions or help with insurance or benefits.

Toll Free: 855.874.0829
BRCMidwest@usi.com 

Benefits Specialists can assist you Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.


MOSERS educational programs

MOSERS offers educational programs to help members learn information about their benefits as they progress through their careers and experience different life events along the way. 

Mid-Career Webinar: Learn how different career and life events may affect your pension benefit.

Ready to Retire Sessions: Learn about the retirement process and how different decisions may impact your pension benefit.

Stay up to date and visit www.mosers.org/education frequently for more information, including schedules and how to register. 


MO Deferred Comp retirement plan

The MO Deferred Comp plan is a supplemental retirement savings option available to employees. Visit www.modeferredcomp.org to learn more about the plan, register for upcoming education sessions or find financial planning options.


A Healthier You (AHY)

A Healthier You gives you convenient online and mobile access to wellness tools you can use to live your healthiest life. Plus, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for chances to win gift cards to some popular retailers.

For more information about the AHY program, click this link.

Miscellaneous

Electronic W-2 Option Available

Want to receive your W-2 earlier in January next year by printing your own W-2 through CatPAWS? Follow these steps:

By consenting to receive your W-2 electronically, you acknowledge that the University will not be mailing a paper copy of your W-2. You are consenting to obtain a printed copy of your W-2 by returning to the site and clicking W-2 Wage and Tax Statement.

Your consent will be valid for all subsequent tax years unless revoked by you, or upon termination, or this service is not supported in a future given tax year. You may revoke your consent and receive a paper Form W-2 by accessing this site and unchecking the box.

For more information, contact the Payroll Office at 660.562.1108.


Mail and Printing Services

Need to mail or print something? Mail and Printing Services receives and distributes USPS mail, as well as provides printing services for Northwest and the public. Be sure to contact Mail & Printing Services for any printing or mailing needs.

For more information, contact Mail and Printing Services at 660.562.1109 or mailcpy@nwmissouri.edu, or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/services/purchasing/mailcopy/.


Bearcat Food Pantry

The mission of the Bearcat Food Pantry is to provide a source of food and necessities for Northwest students and employees experiencing food insecurity and hunger. The food pantry is located in the J.W. Jones Student Union and is accessible the following hours during the spring semester:

Monday: 3-5 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8-10 a.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Northwest accepts food donations for the pantry at the Student Engagement Center and the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of the Student Union. Monetary donations to support the food pantry should be directed to the Northwest Foundation and are tax-deductible.

Click this link to view a list of needed items.


Tobacco Free policy

Northwest has implemented an updated Tobacco Free policy. The University is committed to providing an environment that is safe and healthy. Consistent with this policy, the use of tobacco is prohibited on all University-owned or leased property (“University Property”) and in all University vehicles. This policy applies to all students, employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors.

For more information about this policy, click this link.


Family and Medical Leave Act

The University provides family and medical leave in accordance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993. FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees. The University requires that employees substitute (run concurrently) accrued paid leave to which employees may be entitled to cover the employee’s FMLA leave, before using unpaid leave under the FMLA.

If an employee is away from work for three or more consecutive days due to medical reasons, contact the Office of Human Resources regarding FMLA and leave requirements.


Worker's compensation

If an employee is injured at work, injuries must be reported immediately to the employee’s supervisor and the Office of Human Resources. Employees must contact the Office of Human Resources and the state Central Accident Reporting Office before medical treatment is sought. For any questions regarding workplace injuries, contact Human Resources at 660.562.1127.


Purchase requisition training videos

Purchasing has created instructional videos explaining how to create a purchase requisition in Banner/INB. The videos are available in MyNorthwest, Employee Resources - Finance & Administration, Purchasing Training Videos.