BRAVO! Awards

Nate Tuthill (Interim Associate Director of Peer Mentoring | C2 Hub)

Nate has done an amazing job getting the Career Peer Mentor program going and has provided many of our students with career services that they might not have otherwise used. Nate has stepped up during the transition time in the peer mentoring office. – Katrina Suthers

During the transition of finding an Associate Director of Mentoring for the Peer Mentor office, Nate has not only served as the interim, but also served as the only full-time staff member for multiple weeks. Nate has maintained all office operations, events and programs while supervising 30+ student staff. The Peer Mentor program has been an incredible resource for students and Nate’s continued effort in improving and growing the program is truly impressive. Nate’s work in supporting students in their personal, professional and academic success is impressive and truly is something to recognize.  -Eunice Reyes

Nate has been a consistent and innovative leader within the Peer Mentoring office. Nate is constantly providing support, guiding students, and lending a hand when necessary. When faced with adversity, Nate leverages his strengths to overcome such obstacles, even when it is edging his capacity limits. Such a deserving individual! – Eboni Nash

Nate has managed the transition into Interim Director of Peer Mentoring gracefully. Nate has continued to support his peer mentors and students while also managing the leadership transition within peer mentoring. Nate is always showcasing his leadership and working with his students to enhance leadership skills within peer mentoring. – Alaura Ward

Nate is always level headed in the midst of challenges. Since Nate has been here at MSU, the Peer Mentoring program was in the midst of a lot of changes and Nate handled it with so much positivity, insight and intent. It’s a pleasure working with Nate and can’t wait to have our programs collaborate even more this next academic year! – AG (Angela Groves)

Nate stepped into running a program with a very larger student staff during staffing transitions. In short, Nate was completely outnumbered by the 45+ students he supervised that do a lot of outreach to students. Nate has done an amazing job at running the Peer Mentor program that supports student retention. I’m honored to nominate him for a BRAVO award. – April Peterson

Nate has done incredible work with the Peer Mentors and the Peer Mentoring program during the transition from Camelia’s departure. Despite numerous vacancies on Nate’s team, Nate has since taken on the role as Interim Associate Director of Peer Mentoring while also providing supervision to the Peer Mentors student staff and Katrina Suthers. – Andrew Ortiz-Martinez

Nate has seamlessly led the Peer Mentoring team, especially during big transitions (Camelia’s departure and Katrina’s absence as the admin support). The students look up to Nate as a mentor and I couldn’t think of a better person in this role! – Asia Wesley

Nominated by Katrina Suthers, Eunice Reyes, Eboni Nash, Alaura Ward, AG (Angela Groves), April Peterson, Andrew Ortiz-Martinez, and Asia Wesley

Haley Halkidis (Marketing and Outreach Coordinator | Campus Recreation)

Haley is brand new to Higher Ed, Campus Rec and only came to Colorado in August! Since then, Haley has totally popped off. Our social media has grown and our Campus Recreation participation numbers have more than doubled! Haley is an outstanding Roadrunner, who always puts students first. – Luna Boydstun

Haley’s marketing prowess has exponentially elevated Campus Recreation’s reach to both current and prospective students. Haley’s natural leadership abilities and creative ideas has led to new programs and projects such as the Decompression Lounge, Rec-olution and student-led docu-series “The Spotlight.” In spite of Haley’s short 8-month tenure not only at MSU Denver but in higher education, Haley’s dedication to student development is already evident among her marketing team and the Exercise Science course that she mentors. – Diane Yee

Haley is willing to provide an open and safe environment for her employees. Haley is willing to learn about others’ experiences and apply that in order to create an environment for everyone. – Kaylin Perea

Haley is in her first year at her department, and has completely revolutionized the whole department. Haley brings great energy, ideas, and has shaped my time at MSU Denver as a student and an employee. – Aidan Rose

Haley has gone above and beyond as a manager and as a friend. Haley always takes the time to provide listening ears and creates an environment where everyone can feel safe to speak. Haley goes above and beyond her expectations by always providing her best work and support to all of Campus Recreation staff and students. – Paul Guzman

Nominated by Luna Boydstun, Diane Yee, Kaylin Perea, Aidan Rose, and Paul Guzman

L Benton (Assistant to the Executive Director | Financial Aid)

L is an essential member of the team because she provides support and takes the initiative to represent the OFAS and EM division. In such a brief period of time, L came in and reconnected and reignited initiatives to (re)create our team with other essential departments within EM and student affairs. L exhibited intellectual, life/work, and cultural diversity in her leadership. Thank you, L, for your commitment, creativity, and effort! We’re grateful for you! – Kerline Eglaus 

L has become an individual I always look forward to seeing when I see her down the hall from the VPSA Office. Not only does L have such an uplifting and contagious soul, but L is someone that can tackle whatever you throw at her. Even though L supports Kerline, she’s also been assisting Dr. Long Huynh since his assistant position has been vacant since the beginning of November 2022. – Elise Rarang

Nominated by Kerline Eglaus and Elise Rarang

Catharine Ingram (Associate Director of Operations and Programs for | C2 Hub)

Catharine has been covering multiple positions in their absence and search, as well as streamlining processes within our department. Catharine is a true ally, thought partner, and incredible mentor to work alongside. I feel more confident in my position, having Catharine on my team! – Eboni Nash

Catharine is thoughtful, organized, resourceful, caring, and so fun to work with. Having Catharine on the team has made us better at processes and recording systems so that we’re working smarter and not harder. It’s an honor to work with Catharine and to know her… Catharine is also an amazing baker! -Nicole Magloire

Catharine is an incredible asset to her team. Catharine is revolutionizing the way we use Career Link, has been such a support for our events, and is a wonderful thought partner. Thank you for all you do, Catharine! – Ally Veneris

Nominated by Eboni Nash, Nicole Magloire, and Ally Veneris

Dr. Cynthia Baron (Assistant Vice President | CESA)

Cynthia often has to take on multiple difficult or urgent situations, navigate complicated processes, and be a visible and strong leader on campus. Despite the many duties of her role, Cynthia never fails to be there for staff in CESA and beyond, advocating for the well-being of staff and implementing a healthy culture of professional growth and shared decision-making. Cynthia is a powerful role model to many and does so with a consistently friendly and personable demeanor.

Nominated by Gregor Mieder

Kelly Findley (Associate Director of Scholarships | Financial Aid)

Kelly Findley has been instrumental in ensuring that the Scholarship team runs the best it can, and that students are not left waiting in their need for scholarship aid. Every process on the team has been influenced in some way by the diligence and care that represent Kelly’s work in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Kelly is a genuine advocate for our team and is exemplary of what it means to be a leader.

Nominated by Don Holtzen

Sarah Kaup (Senior International Admissions Specialist | Admissions)

Sarah has been with us for a little over a year and during this time she has quickly established herself as fin-tastic member of the team! Specifically, Sarah has completely revamped and improved the admission process and communication for international students. Sarah has also collaborated with others on campus and worked tirelessly to help build a stronger campus community for international students. Sarah is currently spearfishing…I mean spearheading…a welcome video to help recruit new international students. In addition, Sarah is collaborating with the ISS team to plan events and improve the onboarding experience for new int’l students. And lastly, Sarah has done all this while dealing with a tidal wave of applications (spring 2023 apps were up 155% and fall 2023 apps are currently up 206%). Sarah is truly a shining pearl of the Student Affairs sea. – Vaughn Toland

Since Sarah joined the university a year ago, she has made tremendous improvements to the international admissions process and communications, ensuring that students have the support and clarity they need to navigate a complicated system. With a change to our application fees, the number of international applications more than doubled, as did the number of inquiries and admissions documents needing processing. While we searched for solutions, Sarah went above and beyond, adjusting her schedule to ensure that the students going through the admissions process weren’t negatively impacted. Additionally, Sarah has collaborated across campus to help improve the student experience for our international students, including coordinating a welcome video and working with the ISS team to improve new student onboarding and increasing the number of events and student engagement opportunities for international students. This recommendation is longer than 3 sentences (sorry!), but it only scratches the surface of what Sarah has done to benefit the students at MSU Denver. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with her. – Amanda Ryder

Nominated by Vaughn Toland and Amanda Ryder

Derek Bowers (Earn and Learn Program Coordinator | C2 Hub)

The way Derek has grown the Earn and Learn program is incredible. Derek is also always an amazing resource when it comes to data too, which is so so valuable! Derek is always willing to help, with any question or task, big or small. What a star!

Nominated by Ally Veneris