staff – Page 2

A group of Wesleyan staff members is forming a "close-knit" community over crocheting and crafts. Dubbed the Wesleyan Society for the Preservation of Domestic Technology, the group held its first meeting Jan. 6 in Usdan University Center. Participants gathered for one hour for crafting and camaraderie. “You provide your own lunch and supplies, and we provide an environment fostering whimsy, creativity and technical facility in the traditional craft arts,” said group creator Nate Lerner, director of university events and scheduling. “All campus crafters are welcome!” Lerner brought a cross-stitch project to the gathering. "This is a scene from the Miyazaki film…

Geraldina "Gerry" Muzik, medical office manager, and Diana Martinez, coordinator for the Center for Community Partnerships, are the newest recipients of Wesleyan's Cardinal Achievement Award, presented by the university to recognize the extra efforts of its staff members. (more…)

Elisa Cardona and Bulaong Ramiz from the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development each received a Cardinal Achievement Award for their extraordinary efforts in facilitating a series of community discussions and educational workshops (over several weekends) in the wake of the publication of a controversial op-ed about the Black Lives Matter movement in the Wesleyan Argus. “These have been significant time commitments in addition to their already hectic job responsibilities” said Dean Mike Whaley. “I also want to highlight my observation that these discussions have been especially helpful and healing because they were designed in a way that participants were…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for September 2015: Newly hired Max Sass was hired as a men’s basketball intern in the Department of Athletics on Sept. 1. Laura Pierce was hired as a women’s basketball intern in the Department of Athletics on Sept. 1. Adrian Blackadar was hired as a men’s soccer intern in the Department of Athletics on Sept. 1. Prashanie Silva was hired as senior budget analyst in financial planning on Sept. 3. Marek Mikunda was hired as program coordinator in Upward Bound on Sept. 14. Lee Maes was hired as a volleyball intern in…

In this Q&A we speak with Kathleen Smith from the Center for Global Studies. Smith helps identify and cultivate a global perspective that is meaningful to students, alumni, and faculty across the university. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan! When did you start? A: My first day was Aug. 3, so I am still learning my way around campus! Q: As the associate director of fellowships, internships and exchanges for the Center for Global Studies (located in Fisk Hall), what is your mission when working with students? A: The role is a little bit of everything – fellowships, internships and exchanges – so I see myself as a resource…

On June 3, the Office of Human Resources coordinated an Ice Cream Social for faculty and staff. The event took place at Usdan University Center's Huss Courtyard. Employees won raffle prizes and participated in volleyball games, water balloon toss and bean bag toss. Mario Torres, a material handler from Physical Plant, deejayed the event while the Center for the Arts provided musical entertainment with steel pan drums. Several students who work on campus over the summer also attended the social event. "This was a fun way for colleagues to get out of the office, mingle and kick off the summer…

More than 325 staff and faculty members turned out for the fourth annual Taste of Middletown, presented by the Campus Activities Committee on April 29 in Beckham Hall. Attendees enjoyed sampling food, drinks and desserts from more than a dozen local restaurants, hotels, and bakeries, as well as Bon Appetit and WB Mason. Together, the attendees donated $145 and 285 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, a program of St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown. More than a dozen people won raffle prizes, including gift cards to local restaurants, overnight stays at local hotels, a round of golf, and…

#THISISWHY Cathy Lechowicz, director of the Center for Community Partnerships, was one of six people honored with a 2015 Community Service Award by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service and the Office of Higher Education. The winners--drawn from college students, campus programs and faculty and staff--were recognized at a ceremony April 14 at the Connecticut State Capitol. This was the 23rd annual awards ceremony conducted by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service. More than 50 students, faculty and staff attended the ceremony. "I am humbled by the recognition and grateful to work with an incredible team of people at Allbritton,…

Joy Mlozanowski, library assistant/accounting specialist, is the author of Night Flying, published by Port Yonder Press in January 2015. Abstract: In her diary, Mae questions God as she and her husband confront the news of an abnormal pregnancy and agonize over the decisions they face. Needing time away to think, she visits her childhood home and reconnects with Will, a deaf friend who taught her to sign when they were young. After her visit, Mae and Will continue an intimate written exchange in which she confides her despair, while Will shares his own struggle to honor the wishes of his…

The meeting ran much later into the evening than usual, and you are walking back to your car alone. The parking lot is both dark and deserted. Suddenly a figure steps out of the shadows not five feet in front of you. What do you do? Thanks to a special training course on campus, a dozen members of the Wesleyan community have a new set of skills to use in both assessing and responding to threatening situations like the one described above. Rape Aggression Defense—or RAD—training, was recently offered to the university's female staff members, coordinated by Krystal-Gayle O’Neill, a residential life area coordinator. Lieutenant Jay Mantie was the lead…

In this Q&A, meet Tracy Mehr-Muska, Wesleyan's Protestant chaplain. Q: Rev. Mehr-Muska, how long have you been Wesleyan’s Protestant chaplain, and what did you do before this? A: This is my third year as a university chaplain at Wesleyan. Like many, my professional journey was not a direct route. After graduating from the Coast Guard Academy, I served as a Deck Watch Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. My love of the sea and my degree in Marine/Environmental Science led me to subsequently work as a marine scientist, conducting oceanographic surveys and engineering subsea cable routes for a company that…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires and departures for September 2014: Newly hired Janani Iyer was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2. Ilona Bass was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2. Paul Wilson Cauley was hired as a researcher in the Astronomy Department on Sept. 8. Franklin Huynh was hired as a senior budget analyst in the Office of Financial Planning on Sept. 15. Michael Schramm was hired as assistant director of the Wesleyan Fund on Sept. 15. Luigi Solla was hired an associate…

New Society Provides Creative Venue for Wesleyan Staff

Martinez, Muzik Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

Cardona, Ramiz, Daniels Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

Staff on the Move September 2015

Smith is New Associate Director of Fellowships, Internships, Exchanges

Faculty, Staff Mingle at Ice Cream Social

Faculty, Staff Enjoy a ‘Taste of Middletown’

Lechowicz Honored with State Community Service Award

Mlozanowski Author of Night Flying

Public Safety Holds Rape Aggression Defense Training for Staff

As University Protestant Chaplain, Mehr-Muska Mentors, Offers Confidential Support

Staff on the Move, September 2014