Introducing your new SAPA Committee

2011-2012 SAPA Executive Committee

We look forward to a great year with your leadership!

Stephanie Bartell, President
Marie Slisher, Vice President
Donna Bentle, Secretary
Steve Newton, Benefits Chair
Gary Mason, Benefits Chair Elect
David Goodrich, Faculty Representative
Lorie Cornell, SGA Representative

Congratulations to Steve Reed

Steve Reed, the 2011 Punch Prize Winner

SAPA’s 2011 Punch Prize goes to Steve Reed of Financial Aid.  Grand Prize was a $50 Gift Card to Red Lobster.  Congratulations Steve – and the 7 other SAPA members who had perfect attendance at all of our meetings this year!

SAPA meetings were well attended throughout the year, with an average of 60 staff present at monthly meetings.  The SAUToid contest was a hit – and produced 8 winners throughout the year – thanks for joining in the fun! 

Several offices worked together to provide refreshments for our meetings – the spread of delicious snacks were always a welcome sight! Thanks to each of you who donated and baked, organized and arranged the refreshment table.

SAPA continued to provide door prizes this year – with the most annoying prize being a pack of disposable razors!  (we finally got rid of them all).  The most appreciated prizes were the Sacred Grounds coupons – and most valuable prizes were the books that followed the theme of each meeting.

I’d like to express a special thanks to the following committee members who made each meeting come together with success:  Lorie Cornell, Carol Ann Bunnell, Terry McClintic, Steve Newton, Rob Kingsley, and Stephanie Bartell.

Listening is a Spiritual Thing

On May 3rd, we will welcome Mary Darling, Associate Professor of Communication, to our last SAPA meeting of the year. Mary will share thoughts about listening from her latest book, Connecting Like Jesus, which she co-authored with well-known communicator, Tony Campolo. Something you may not know:  Connecting Like Jesus was a required text in the COR 100 sections this year.  A few quotes from the book to get you thinking...

"We can learn to 'listen in the moment' no matter what is going on in our lives."

 "Jesus listened, not for what he needed to hear, but for what others needed to   say and have him hear."

"When we listen to the deepest needs and concerns of another's soul, we affirm his or her very personhood."

A copy of Connecting Like Jesus, courtesy of Shar Fortress in the Bookstore, will be given away during the meeting.

Visit Mary's website....

Announcing....the 2011-2012 SAPA Committee

President
Stephanie Bartell (Admissions)

Vice President
Marie Slisher (Academic Affairs)

Secretary
Donna Bentle (Business Office)

Benefits Chair
Steve Newton (Student Development)

Benefits Chair Elect
Gary Mason (Admissions)

Faculty Representative
David Goodrich (Technology Services)

Student Government Association Representative
Lorie Cornell (Student Development)

Be sure to extend your congratulations!

GPS December 2010 Employee of the Month

We would like to recognize Janet Vannest as our December Employee of the Month. We recognize Janet’s longevity with SAU and the various roles she has filled. Janet has been a recruiter, assessment counselor, academic advisor, registrar, academic coordinator, coordinator of academic services, and a fine faculty member. She has enthusiastically taken on every role and has done a great job in each. Janet is a joy to work with and always friendly, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile. Janet will receive a gift certificate as a small token of appreciation.

 Special recognition to:

Academic Advisor/Instructor – Bay City/Flint Sites

         
              Please join us in congratulating Janet!

GPS February 2011 Employee of the Month

Special recognition to

Sara Lancaster

SARA LANCASTER

We would like to recognize Sara Lancaster as our February Employee of the Month. Sara has a reputation for working “overtime” to provide top-notch customer service to our MSN applicants and cohorts while maintaining her other responsibilities, all under deadline pressure! Sara puts herself in the shoes of the students and thinks of ways to ease their stress in order to make their SAU experience a very positive one. Sara is creative in the use of technology to find better, faster, more efficient ways to expedite the enrollment process. She is always cheerful with a smile you can “see” over the phone, and consistently delivers more than promised, faster than promised. Sara will receive a gift certificate as a small token of appreciation.

GPS January 2011 Employee of the Month

Special recognition goes to

AMANDA HERRON

Amanda Herron

Student Services Coordinator
Midwest Region – Kalamazoo Site

We would like to recognize Amanda Herron as our January Employee of the Month. Amanda is always upbeat and encouraging to students and staff and has used her gift for encouragement to assist students in crisis to stay the course and complete their programs. Her innovative ideas and organizational skills have been a benefit to other staff and have contributed to more efficient and cost effective processes at the site. Amanda was recently involved in coordinating a very successful food drive, raising over 1,150 food items for the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes organizations. Amanda is a blessing to all and a very positive reflection of both SAU and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amanda will receive a gift certificate as a small token of appreciation.

Congratulations, Amanda!