Directory
A-Z Index
 

July 2023 | HR Monthly Bulletin

2023 - 2024 Holiday Schedule 

To express gratitude for excellent performance and give our employees a chance to relax and celebrate with loved ones, Northwest will be closed for the following holidays. Full listing can also be found on the myNorthwest portal.

Please contact the payroll office at 660.562.1108 with questions regarding timesheet entry.

2023 holiday closings:

2024 holiday closings:

2024 Utility Disruption Schedule:

We thank you for your endless contributions and dedication to Northwest and wish you the best of breaks and a great 2024!

Welcome our new Bearcats!

Tanya Dalrymple
Project Assistant, Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Professional Development Center

Erin Dillon
Project Assistant, Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Professional Development Center

Patricia Harris
Admissions and Student Success Assistant
Office of Admissions and Student Success

Dr. Shalon Malone
Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Andrew Murphy
Esports Coordinator/Coach
Esports and Campus Recreation

Jennifer Patterson
Project Assistant, Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Professional Development Center

Teonia Starks
Recruitment Coordinator
Office of Admissions - Recruitment

Daniel Stigall
Resident Director
Office of Residential Life

Jill Watkins
Project Assistant, Curriculum and Instruction
Regional Professional Development Center

Matt Wendelberger
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Department of Athletics

 

Tierry Wilmes
Maintenance Technician
Facility Services

Employee Anniversaries

Congratulations to these employees for their milestone years of service
in July 2023!

5 YEARS

Jack Bilbo Theatre Technical Director/Facility Manager Department of Fine and Performing Arts
Carolyn Hall Project Assistant: Curriculum & Instruction Regional Professional Development Center
Dr. Jay Johnson Associate Provost for Academic Operations and Development Academic Operations and Development
Sai Narne Director of Enterprise Applications Office of Information Technology
Gene Westbrook Counselor Upward Bound Math and Science

10 YEARS

Jennifer Bucy Senior Financial and Audit Analyst Controller
Terra Feick Assistant Library Director for Access Services B.D. Owens Library
Jessica Vest Archivist B.D. Owens Library
Denise Workman Director of Accounting and Budget Controller

15 YEARS

Shannon Heitman Student Payroll Manager Payroll
Ashley Henggeler Director of Student Account Services Student Account Services and Cashiering
Joseph Quinlin Strength and Conditioning Coach Department of Athletics
Patricia Wilmes Project Assistant: Curriculum & Instruction Regional Professional Development Center

20 YEARS

William Murphy TV/Video Engineer School of Communication and Mass Media

25 YEARS

Patrick Immel Professor Department of Fine and Performing Arts
Theresa Immel Office Manager School of Computer Science and Information Systems

30 YEARS

Michael Grudzinski Video and Web Conferencing Specialist Learning and Teaching Center

Upcoming Events

Information about Advantage 2023 lot closures

Parking lots are closed and traffic is rerouted during Advantage Week to help students and their guests better navigate campus and allow for the safe unloading of items. It is important that all individuals representing the Northwest community set the example and follow the directions of University Police Department members directing traffic. 

Advantage Week lot closures, time restrictions and traffic flows are listed below and on the map at this link. All parking lots listed below will be unavailable for employees and current students during the stated dates and times. 

University Police will enforce the following lot closures:

Traffic flow information

Follow UPD on social media for updates:

Move-In Day Map:


Bearcat 5k

The Bearcat Family 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, and is open to all employees and their families. The Run/Walk will take place on the Bearcat Trail, starting in front of Gaunt House. For more information, including tank top or T-shirt sign-up, visit the exercise webpage on the Employee Wellness website.

Summer Fitness Series

There is still time to join the Northwest Summer Fitness Series. Participation is accessible via the MoveSpring App, which is free to employees. More information and App registration can be found on the exercise webpage.

Parking Permits

Parking permits for fall 2023 will be available to purchase in August. Northwest 2022-23 permits are valid until Aug. 31. Temporary permits are available at the University Police Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact Lt. Amanda Cullin at acullin@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1254 for more information.

Opportunities to get involved

Northwest affinity groups

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

Association of Black Employees Logo

Contact Giselle Greenidge ggreenidge@nwmissouri.edu 

LGBTQIA Logo

Contact Elyssa Ford ebford@nwmissouri.edu 

ALLY Affinity Group Logo

Contact ALLY@nwmissouri.edu 

Community-Connections-logo

Contact Maryvillecommunityconnections@gmail.com 

Employee resource groups

These employee-led groups aim to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace. Contact each group individually. 

Diversity Groups

Staff Council

Northwest Staff Council represents a unified voice for all Northwest staff. To learn about staff, upcoming events or voice concerns, visit Northwest Staff Council.


Staff Council elections are happening soon for the upcoming year. Look for more information from your area leaders or talk with your Staff Council representative. 

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.

Family Guidance partnership to assist employees

The University has established a partnership with Family Guidance Center to provide a crisis counselor on site. Holly McMillen, a certified licensed professional counselor, is available Monday through Friday to respond to any crisis or resource needs.

This service is confidential. Contact Holly directly to schedule an appointment at hmcmillen@fgcnow.org or 660.853.8196.

For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at 660.562.1127.

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.

New Directions resource program center

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

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

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

Benefits & Wellness Information

Employee Wellness Update: 3-Part Mental Health Support Series

Northwest continues its three-part series on Mental Health Support on the new Employee Wellness Website. This series includes information and resources on the topics of Sleep, Relationship Health, and Financial Wellness.

Part II of this series, “Relationship Health,” was just recently published. It includes an interview with Northwest’s counselor, Kristen Peltz of Wellness Services. See the Relationship Health page on the Employee Wellness Website.


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.

Click this link to download a flyer with more details and contact information


BlueKC SmartShopper

BlueKC is partnering with Sapphire Digital to offer SmartShopper, an incentive platform that can save members money on health care expenses every time they select a reward-eligible, lower-cost care for qualifying procedures such as MRIs, colonoscopies or blood work. 

SmartShopper is embedded within the provider finder and cost estimator tools in your mybluekc.com portal. Click here to watch a short video about SmartShopper.


MOSERS educational programs

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

Newer Employees and MOSERS Webinars: Start learning about the state benefits administered by MOSERS.

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. 


MOSERS termination and reemployment rules

For employees in a MOSERS eligible position and nearing retirement, keep in mind the termination and reemployment rules. Those rules state that before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a “bona fide termination” of a member’s employment. For purposes of MOSERS Board Rules, a "bona fide termination" occurs when:

For more information, please see MOSERS' FAQs on termination and reemployment rules and its termination and reemployment rules flyer.

Please note, if an employee does not have a bona fide separation of service, their retirement will be null and void, meaning they will not receive their pension payments.


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.


MyBlueKC mobile app includes virtual care

Blue KC offers members digital tools to allow quick access to health insurance plan information to support them along their health journey.

Today, many members enjoy the convenience of Blue KC Virtual Care from their mobile device or laptop computer. Virtual care offers a fast, simple way to see a doctor 24/7 for sick care or to make an appointment with a behavioral health provider.

The Blue KC Virtual Care has moved from its own, standalone app to the MyBlueKC mobile app. This change means virtual care is now a feature in an app that members frequently use. With just a few taps, members can have a video visit with a doctor as well as get benefit information, view claims, download digital ID cards, and connect to health and wellness programs – all in one place. Make sure you have updated to the latest version of the MyBlueKC mobile app through your device settings for the virtual care functionality.

Click here for instructions on how to get the MyBlueKC app.


Beware of financial planning emails

Some employees have received emails from financial planning companies implying they are partnered with MOSERS. The content of the emails suggests that members must pay for a meeting with a retirement counselor and that they can learn how to increase their retirement savings. This is inaccurate. MOSERS has not authorized any outside financial planners to advise our members on their MOSERS benefits. 

As a reminder, the services offered through MOSERS and MO Deferred Comp are provided to MOSERS members at no cost. In regard to increasing their retirement savings, MOSERS members have the ability to meet with MO Deferred Comp financial education professionals to help make savings decisions as they prepare for retirement.

Northwest advises all MOSERS members to stay vigilant and double-check the addresses of email senders before clicking any links. 


A Healthier You (AHY)

The A Healthier You program gives you convenient online and mobile access to wellness tools that 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 program, click here.


Blue365 deals

Blue365 is a free health and wellness discount program offered to Blue KC members for year-round discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating options and more. To register and browse available discounts, log in to your mybluekc.com portal and select Health Programs in the Health & Wellness menu. For more information about the program, click here.


Campus recreation offerings 

The Foster Fitness Center, Student Recreation Center and Hughes Fieldhouse walking track are free for all employees and spouses to use. Employees and spouses must complete the assumption of risk and waiver of liability form on CatPAWS in advance of using the Foster Fitness Center. 

The Hughes Fieldhouse walking track is available for employee use, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Employees should enter through the south doors, and parking is available in the south lots. Kids are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on the track. Click here to view a listing of when the walking track is not available.


Mosaic offerings

Mosaic Medical Center-Maryville offers a personalized weight management program called Healthy Lifestyles. The program is designed to help people of all ages and sizes achieve an improved quality of life through medical nutritional counseling, teaching and lifestyle changes. For additional information about the program, visit Healthy Lifestyles: Personalized Weight Management Program.

Employee Discounts

Home Chef

Home Chef is recognizing our nation’s educators and school support personnel with a 50 percent discount on their first scheduled Home Chef meal kit and a $10 discount on five subsequent deliveries. Simply use code EDU50 at checkout to begin receiving your education discount.

Get Started with Home Chef

Home Chef makes home cooking simple. Their fresh, weekly meal kits are customized to your liking and delivered straight to your doorstep. Minimize your trips to the grocery store and distress your evenings with delicious, pre-planned meals starting at just $6.99 per serving. Here’s how it works:

Your education discount is available at //homechef.com/edu and, if you already are a customer, you can verify with ID.me on the payment page of your account to begin receiving 10 percent off all future orders.

Miscellaneous

Paperless billing

Beginning in May, all Northwest employees receive an e-bill to their University email, rather than a mailed paper bill. To opt out of an e-bill, complete the Paperless Billing Opt-Out form in MyNorthwest under Employee Resources -> Finance & Administration -> Billing.

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/intranet/employee/web/paperless-billing.htm


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 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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. For a list of most needed items, visit Bearcat Food Pantry. Monetary donations to support the food pantry should be directed to the Northwest Foundation and are tax-deductible.


Friends of International Students

Friends of International Students (FIS) is a community-based organization established to match interested area individuals and families (friends) with international students at Northwest. The program goals are to provide support to the students as they become adjusted to their new home and to promote friendship and understanding between people of different nationalities.

FIS is recruiting friends to connect with international students. Friends are asked to make contact with assigned students at least once a month during their year-long commitment to the program. Contact can take many forms, including family dinners, attending sporting events, pumpkin carving and various other activities involving two-way cultural tradition sharing. For more information or to apply, contact board members at FIS@nwmissouri.edu or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/international/services/friends/.


Does your department need office supplies?

Visit the “How to Purchase Office Supplies” guide. Various binders, hanging file folders and other office supplies are available at no cost to departments at Central Receiving.


Purchase requisition training videos

Purchasing has created instructional videos explaining how to create a purchase requisition and a Central Stores purchase requisition in Banner/INB. The videos are available in MyNorthwest, Employee Resources - Finance


Workstation safety guidelines

It is important for employees to apply good ergonomic practices. To view a complete list of ergonomic suggestions, visit Workstation safety guideline.