Staff Council

Representing CAFNR Staff and Recognizing Staff Accomplishments

The CAFNR Staff Advisory Council’s primary goals are to

  • Provide a voice for CAFNR staff with leadership and faculty
  • Offer guidance and support
  • Recognize staff accomplishments
  • Support professional development
  • Organize fun events to bring staff members together
  • Engage with the local community through fundraising and donations

Connect With Us

Provide Feedback

Tell us your needs! We support honest and open communication. Do you have a comment, question or concern? You are invited to use this online form either by name or anonymously. If you submit your email, a council rep will respond.

More ways to keep in touch with council activities include the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council Facebook page.

Members

Want to get involved? Please contact the Council Chair.

Awards

Current CAFNR Staff Advisory Council members are not eligible for the Staff Council awards.

Staff Excellence & Mumford Awards

Each year, we present an exceptional staff member with the Staff Excellence Award. The staff members are honored at the Celebration of Excellence and are given a trophy and a $1000 cash award.

CAFNR’s prestigious award, the Mumford, recognizes an outstanding staff member during the Celebration of Excellence with a trophy and a cash award.

Above and Beyond Award

Each quarter, the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council will send out an email call for nominations looking for staff members who have gone that extra mile in their collaborations for the greater good. Nominee must be a full-time benefit eligible, non-faculty, employee of CAFNR for at least 6 months. One winner will be selected from the nominations to receive a cash award of $150 deposited with their paycheck. (Subject to payroll taxes)

Driver to Distinction Award

Each month, we recognize a benefit-eligible staff member with a small Drive to Distinction trophy. Acknowledge the efforts of your colleagues! We invite you to submit nominations for the Driver to Distinction Award, a recognition that thanks individuals for their contribution to the success of their unit, division and the college.

Nomination Process:

  • Nominate any benefit-eligible staff colleague within CAFNR who deserves recognition.
  • Ensure your nominations are specific and detailed to highlight their contributions.
  • Nominations are welcomed at any time, but timely submissions are encouraged.
  • Nominate a colleague

2024 Monica Flynn
2024 Angie Hake
2024 Sheryl Koenig
2024 David Lankitus
2024 Jeri Lou Zimmerman

2024 Bethany Bedeker
2024 Michelle Niemeyer
2024 Christian Wahl
2023 Robyn Eschenbrenner
2023 Mackenzie Ewing
2023 Liberty Johnson
2023 Laura Hertel
2023 Laura Fredrich
2023 Kelsey Marek
2023 Katie Ogan
2023 Jon Simonsen
2023 Jessica Orsini
2023 Jenna Fusinatto
2023 Elizabeth Grissom
2023 Amy Marek
2022 Craig Paukert
2021 Keith Brimingham
2021 Grover Shannon
2020 Wesley Warren
2020 Shibu Jose
2020 Randy Prather
2020 Patt Westhoff
2020 Lesleighan Cravens
2020 Kevin Wells
2020 Henry Nguyen
2020 Gary Weisman
2020 Gary Stacey
2020 Felix Fritschi
2020 David Diamond
2020 Craig Roberts
2020 Amy Moum
2019 Matt Arri
2019 Kristen Smarr
2019 James Hundle
2019 Cindy Greenwood

Campus Awards

Staff Enrichment – Professional Development

All benefit-eligible, non-faculty employees who have worked in CAFNR for at least six continuous months when their proposed event/project occurs are eligible to submit a proposal. Proposals are considered on an individual basis only. Multiple individuals may apply to attend the same event, but separate applications are necessary. Group applications will not be considered for funding, unless special notice is made. Current CAFNR Staff Advisory Council members are not eligible for funding. Previous recipients are not eligible for new funding for one year after the original activity.

Are you looking to improve your skills? Is there a class or workshop you are interested in taking? Is there a conference coming up that would enrich your professional development? The CAFNR Staff Advisory Council has resources to help you fund your personal/professional enrichment activities!

Examples of past submissions include Wilderness First Aid Course, Project Management Workshop, Regional Advising Conferences, Grant Writing Certificate, The Indispensable Assistant Seminar.

All benefit-eligible, non-faculty employees who have worked in CAFNR for at least 6 continuous months when their proposed event/project occurs are eligible to submit a proposal. Proposals are considered on an individual basis only. Multiple individuals may apply to attend the same event, but separate applications are necessary. Group applications will not be considered for funding, unless special notice is made. Previous recipients are not eligible for new funding for 1 year after the original activity.

Submission – Completed applications will have instructions for submission in the email announcement. Staff Council Chair and Committee will review applications and notify awardees via email.

Fine Print:

Purpose – Provide resources to support CAFNR staff in enriching their personal and workplace skills.

Eligibility – All benefit-eligible non-faculty employees who have worked in CAFNR for at least 6 continuous months when their proposed event/project occurs are eligible to submit a proposal.

Proposals are considered on an individual basis only. Multiple individuals may apply to attend the same event, but separate applications are necessary.

Group applications will no longer be considered for funding, unless special notice is made. Previous recipients are not eligible for new funding for 1 year after the original activity.

Amount – The amount funded will vary based upon the program. Budgets should be thorough and detailed with a complete justification for the line items requested. Currently there is no individual limit, however, please note that only $5,000 is allowable for all program participants per year. Funding recipients are not eligible for a period of 1 year after the original activity.

Funding restrictions – Please note that MU and federal business policies and rules do apply to this money.

Required report – Successful applicants will be required to submit a written report summarizing the activity within thirty days of its completion and submit expense documents at that time.

Review Considerations – Proposals will be scored based on quality of proposal (i.e. completeness and backup documentation), originality, justification of budget, and benefits anticipated consistent with stated purpose of budget.

Review Committee – Staff Council committee will review and evaluate these proposals.

Timetable and Deadlines

Submit Applications

  • (Spring) Jan. 31 @ noon
  • (Fall) June 30 @ noon

Notification and funding available

  • Feb. 10
  • July 10

Activity must be completed between

  • Jan. 1 – June 30
  • July 1 – Dec. 31

    Unless requested to Staff Council chair for event registration accommodation.