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May 2025 | HR Monthly Bulletin

Welcome our new Bearcats!


Cody Garner
Technology Specialist I
Office of Information Technology

Owen Graham
Financial Assistance Coordinator
Office of Scholarships
and Financial Assistance

 

Timothy Long
Coordinator of Fraternity
and Sorority Life
Office of Student Involvement

 

Gavin McGough
News Director
KXCV/KRNW

Nikki Welch
GIS Analyst
Geo-Technical Services

Emily Wiederholt
Office Manager
Enrollment Management and Student Success

Employee Anniversaries

Congratulations to these employees for their milestone years of service
in May 2025!

5 YEARS

Giavanna Zupancic Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance Department of Athletics

20 YEARS

Jody Throener Buyer Office of Purchasing

25 YEARS

Amy Wilson TESS Coordinator & Compliance Specialist Professional Education Unit Assessment

Transfers and Promotions


Westly Bertha Officer/Investigator University Police Department
Crista Chappell Assistant Registrar Office of the Registrar
Heather Kline Associate Registrar Office of the Registrar
Kristina Martinez Interim Sergeant University Police Department
Shelby Wood Associate Director Admissions - Recruitment

Upcoming Events

Northwest Night at the St. Joseph Mustangs

St. Joseph Mustangs will host a Northwest Night baseball game on Saturday, May 31, featuring the Mustangs and the Nevada Griffons. First pitch is at 7 p.m. at Phil Welch Stadium, 2600 SW Parkway in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The Northwest Alumni Association will provide free general admission tickets on a first-come, first-served basis at the stadium on the day of the game. Fans should visit the Northwest Alumni Association tent outside the stadium between 5 and 7 p.m. to pick up tickets and other giveaway items. Ticket reservations and advanced pickup are not available.

Summer Parking

The following applies to parking on campus through Friday, Aug. 1:

For more information, visit the “policies” tab at nwmissouri.edu/police/parking/ or contact the UPD at police@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1254.

Opportunities to get involved

Young Professionals Group

Young Professionals Employee Resource Group is designed to enhance the experience of younger professionals on the Northwest campus, regardless of physical age. This employee-led group is open to anybody regardless of age but aims to promote belonging, well-being, career success and personal growth for professionals just beginning their careers at Northwest. 

For more information and feedback, click this link to fill out this survey.


Bearcat Diversity Book Club

Bearcat Diversity Book Club chooses one book each semester to stimulate discussions about varying subject matters related to cultural differences and inclusion. Through open dialogue, Northwest employees learn to have brave conversations, build community, embrace differences and become engaged, diverse leaders on campus. 

Sign up for the book club


Women of Color

The Women of Color network focuses on advocating, supporting and understanding the experiences of women of color at higher education institutions.

Sign up for Women of Color network


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 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

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.


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 Spotlight

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

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: 

  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 our Financial Wellness Center, go to: https://usrbpfinancialwellness.com.


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

Tobacco Free policy

Northwest is implementing 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.

This policy will go into full effect on July 1. For more information on 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 before medical treatment is sought. For any questions regarding workplace injuries, contact Human Resources at 660.562.1127.


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 accessible from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

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.


Does your department need office supplies?

Visit How to Purchase Office Supplies (PDF). 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.