Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Roadrunner Shoutout series has returned from a summer hiatus in a new monthly format to highlight the excellent and important work happening at all levels of the University. Nominations are still accepted and encouraged. The Early Bird is especially in need of faculty–member and student–employee recognition.
This month, the series celebrates three inspirational members of the University community who were awarded the honor in person at the latest President’s Cabinet meeting.
“I’m excited to recognize three outstanding employees with the Roadrunner Shoutout Award,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “Not only have these winners gone above and beyond within their roles here at MSU Denver, but they are driven to better themselves and the community at large.”
Faculty winner — Michala Stock, Ph.D., associate professor of Anthropology and director of the Human Identification Laboratory
Nominated by Nicholas Recker, Ph.D., professor and chair of Sociology, who wrote:
“Dr. Michala Stock wears several hats as a newly tenured associate professor and the director of MSU Denver’s Human Identification Lab. As would be expected, Dr. Stock’s professional expertise is always in high demand, and she routinely offers it to the community. It may be assisting a local Medical Examiner’s Office, being called to testify as an expert witness, or helping to exhume (human remains). Most recently, Dr. Stock led a team that helped exhume, move and reinter the Sisters of Loretto Heights. Dr. Stock worked closely with the community, religious officials and members of her team to carry out this difficult project with the respect and dignity it deserved. Considering Dr. Stock’s accomplishments, she is a credit to the Department of Sociology and Anthropology as well as the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.”
Staff winner — Robert (Bob) Mager, budget analyst for the Dean’s Office in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Nominated by Jane Mader, academic-department coordinator for Media Production, who wrote:
“Bob Mager is the most responsive, effective and efficient budget analyst/guru I have met in my nine years at MSU Denver. I have struggled with understanding our budget since 2019, and with Bob’s help, I am finally putting the pieces together! This is a testament to Bob’s patience and support because those who know me know I am horrible with numbers.
“Bob oversees three divisions, consisting of 20 departments, and always manages to respond to emails within half a day, even within 10 minutes in my most recent experience. Bob’s quick responses let me finish my task and move on to other projects. This is just one example (among many) of how Bob goes above and beyond to help not only me but those around him and the University at large.
“This is appreciated more than you know, and I am very thankful to be a member of such a supportive team!”
Student-employee winner — Dallice Tressider, assistant to the College of Health and Applied Sciences’ Advising Office
Nominated by Vanessa Tackman, advising coordinator for the College of Health and Applied Sciences’ Advising Office, who wrote:
“Dallice has been a great student employee working for the CHAS Advising Office! She is so helpful to all students and helps to train our new student –employees. Dallice had a great idea to make training videos for our office to help onboard any new students that we hire. She has created multiple videos on how to use Navigate, how to use proper customer–service skills, how to help students register for classes, how to properly communicate through Teams and how to use our SharePoint, and she had a great idea to do a team video on conflict resolution and mediation techniques. Dallice is very helpful to everyone she interacts with, and we love having her work for our office! She loves learning new skills and will always take advantage of any professional–development opportunity that she is offered. We are all excited to continue to work with Dallice during the rest of her time at MSU Denver and know that she will make a positive impact on the community and those she works with once she graduates.”
Thank you to this week’s winners for all they do at MSU Denver. To nominate a faculty member or any other member of the University’s employee community for the Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week award, please complete the form. Tell us how your nominee is making an impact through great teaching, service to students or innovation. Winners will be selected each week and profiled in the Early Bird on Thursdays. Winners will also get a shoutout on social media.