December CEHS Employee Recognition Award Recipients

On December 1, 2021, the College of Education and Human Services college meeting began with the announcement of our Employee Recognition Awards! Our community is dedicated to creating a healthier, better educated, just society and we are grateful to work with so many exceptional employees.

Maddy Antosiewicz, the Department Administrator for Nutrition and Food Studies, is the ‘go-to’ person to work out almost any difficulty including issues related to advisement, scheduling, and graduation. Whenever there is a need, she starts a new project and recently developed a very helpful database for publisher representatives for the textbooks used in the department. She gives career advice by helping students choose a major and define career goals, creates a strong sense of community by keeping in contact with alumni and posting employment opportunities, and provides guidance with internship placement. Additionally, she encourages students to value and respect each other and their instructors, which helps foster a more collegial space. She cares deeply about those around her, is consistently thoughtful, and compassionately supports her colleagues.

Dr. Gerry Costa, Director of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health (CAECMH). Through his leadership and vision, he promotes equity and social justice through the hiring of a more diverse staff, true collaboration within the team, cultural humility in community training and consultation/clinical services, and brave/reflective spaces for the staff and community members to process matters related to social justice and equity, as well as learning and growing together. His leadership style allows all to feel safe, cared for, valued, and respected, which equips the team to be their best selves and do the best work they can in the community. Through Dr. Costa’s leadership, CAECMH is an integral part of macro-level systems changes informed by equity and social justice that will lead to a more equitable and just state and world.

Under the leadership of Mia Kirk, Supervisor of the Alternate Route Teacher Education Programs in the Teaching and Learning department, the program is growing and expanding. The Alternate Route Program is a key place where the work of equity and social justice happens within the college — expanding access to higher education for more students. Mia advocates issues of equity and social justice in Teacher Education Policy Committee meetings and other venues within the college. She advocates for equity, diversity, and anti-racism in hiring processes. Mia Kirk consistently demonstrates she values the work of her colleagues within the college. She expresses gratitude for the work of others. She has trust in the abilities of others and empowers her colleagues to grow and develop as individuals and professionals.

Congratulations to Maddy Antosiewicz, Dr. Gerry Costa, and Mia Kirk!