Michelle Niemeyer, building coordinator for William Stringer Wing and Eckles Hall, received CAFNR’s 2026 Safety Leadership Award at the college’s annual awards ceremony, Celebration of Excellence, April 23.  

Nominators say although she has been in the role for less than one year, she has excelled in the position during that time. Niemeyer’s attention to safety and security of these facilities is evident in her daily work and routines.  

The buildings she serves have a broad range of disciplines and activities, including wet labs for both teaching and research, meat processing, university-wide event space, office locations for two CAFNR divisions and Dean’s Office staff, and centrally scheduled classrooms.  

“Michelle does an amazing job balancing the needs of all of these individual groups, all while managing her full-time responsibilities within the CAFNR Advancement Office,” said nominator Matt Fleming, CAFNR coordinator of facilities and operations. Niemeyer is also the executive assistant in the Office of Advancement. 

She emphasizes building access and security, and has already built essential relationships with centralized Mizzou departments, communicates daily with custodial teams, and is a main point of contact for campus maintenance and key shop requests.  

“She is a leader and communicator but is always willing and interested in listening to new ideas, ways to improve and implementation methods to ensure we’re all part of a safe campus community,” Fleming said. “There is no hierarchy in who or how she serves her building coordinator role – she identifies potential hazards and is always the one who communicates and finds solutions.”