| Westly Bertha | Officer/Investigator | University Police Department |
| Kat Falke | Change Management Project Manager | Office of Finance & Administration |
| Taylin Graff | Staff RN | Wellness Services |
| Kaylin LaMaster | Business Analyst - FHRIS | Office of Information Technology |
Parking Lot No. 27, located north of Garrett-Strong Science Building, is now closed as part of the University's Infrastructure Modernization Project. The lot will remain closed for the duration of the Administration Building's closure.
Alternately, employees may park in lots 25, 26 and 29.
For more information, contact the University Police Department at 660.562.1254.
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.
Title IX
FERPA
Hazard communications
Drug-free workplace
Email and messaging safety
Password security basics
Active shooter: Run, Hide, Fight
Northwest invites all employees to participate in a holiday well-being challenge through Sunday, Jan. 4. Click this link to download the challenge guide in a PDF format. Earn points to be entered for prizes. No registration is required.
For more information, contact Selena Foreman, administrative specialist in the Office of Student Affairs, at sforeman@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1242.
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 experience 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.
Each year, Northwest celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the third week of January. The 2026 theme, “Building Community Connection,” reflects Dr. King’s enduring call to strengthen our shared humanity through empathy, collaboration and service.
Learn more about the events and programs listed below by clicking this link. Registration for the movie night and the MLK Luncheon is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory for participation.
Tuesday, Jan. 20: Movie Night featuring “Ruby Bridges”
6 p.m., The Hangar
Reserve a seat.
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Emancipation Day in Nodaway County with Dr. Elyssa Ford
4 p.m., Student Union Meeting B
Wednesday, Jan. 21: DeLuce Art Gallery Opening Reception and Lecture featuring Norman Spencer
5:30 p.m. Charles Johnson Theater, Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building
Thursday, Jan. 22: Let the People Speak poetry and open mic night
6 p.m. Student Union Living Room
Friday, Jan. 23: MLK Peace Luncheon
11 a.m. Student Union Ballroom
Register for the luncheon.
C.A.L.M. in Crisis is a key component of how we support our students’ mental health and overall well-being. While counseling services play a vital role, our entire campus community shares responsibility for recognizing when students are struggling. CALM equips employees with practical skills to identify risk factors and warning signs of suicide and mental health struggles, respond with confidence and care, make appropriate referrals, offer hope and maintain personal well-being throughout the process.
Because mental health challenges continue to rise and directly impact student success, it is essential that employees complete this training. Your engagement strengthens our coordinated response, ensures students receive timely support and reinforces our culture of care across campus.
The next faculty and staff training is scheduled for 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
Register by clicking this link.
Monday, March 30, 2026
Refreshments begin at 3 p.m. with presentations starting at 3:15 p.m.
J. W. Jones Student Union Ballroom
Nominations for the Northwest Awards and Recognition Ceremony are now open. This event is a collaborative celebration to recognize excellence among Northwest students, faculty and staff.
Sign into BearcatLink with your Northwest username and password before completing any of the nomination forms linked below. There is no limit on the number of nominations an individual may submit. The deadline to submit nominations is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, unless indicated otherwise.
Click here for descriptions of all awards and nomination forms.
The Workday Project Team recently hosted several live presentations and interactive demonstrations, culminating in a sneak peek with selected employees that highlighted key system configurations. We are on track to close out the Architect and Configure stage by end of December.
In preparation for a successful project launch in July, the project team will host sessions in January to share Workday payroll updates with employees. We invite you to attend one of the faculty or staff sessions below.
Beginning in January, a Change Network composed of representatives from across the University will provide guidance and support for the Workday rollout.
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.
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.
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Contact Giselle Greenidge at ggreenidge@nwmissouri.edu |
Contact Elyssa Ford at ebford@nwmissouri.edu |
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Contact ALLY@nwmissouri.edu |
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Contact Jessie Peter |
Contact Garrison Kennedy at GKENNEDY@nwmissouri.edu
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When it comes to the holiday season, people tend to fall into one of two camps: They either love the holidays, or they don’t. For those who delight in Christmas, Hanukkah or other celebrations, this is the brightest time of year — full of light, love, family, and festivity. For those who struggle during this time, the last weeks of the year may represent loneliness, loss or family tension.
These tips are for those of you who are holding your breath, waiting for the holiday lights to come down, the gift wrap to be put away and the New Year to roll through. At the very least, you deserve some peace, and wouldn’t it be nice if you could experience some joy in the season, too?
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Northwest has partnered 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:
See below for additional information about the program.
Wellness Services has flu shots available for employees, while supplies last. Call 660.562.1348 to schedule an appointment. Bring your insurance card.
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)
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)
Blue KC is taking proactive steps to limit disruption, including:
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 our Financial Wellness Center, visit https://usrbpfinancialwellness.com.
Click here to read the Fall 2025 employee newsletter.
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)
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 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.
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 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.
Want to be eligible 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.
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/.
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 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
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.
Click this link to view a flyer with more information.
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.
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.
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.
Purchasing has created instructional videos explaining how to create a purchase requisition in Banner/INB. The videos are available in MyNorthwest, Employee Resources - Finance.
