The Outstanding Supervisor Award was established by the Family Resource Center in the spring of 2001 to draw attention to MSU supervisors who are highly regarded by their employees for their consistent support of the work/life (professional/personal) needs of their employees. Various academic and support staff units submitted excellent nominations this year. The nominees and nominators represent a wide variety of departments and position levels.The recipient selections were based on the testimonies such as those quoted below from their employees’ nomination letters. This year’s five winners include:

Mike Gardner- Rivertrail Dining Manager 

• “Mike has an uncanny ability of making every person that he comes in contact with feel like they are his close and personal friend.”
• “He supports each and every member of our team by creating and fostering a supportive environment and encouraging a happy and healthy work/life balance.”
• “He always cared about me as a person, not just an employee.”

Shawn Kelly- Supervisor-Project Services –Infrastructure Planning and Facilities

• “Shawn is a family man and very sensitive to one’s family needs and is very understanding when one has to leave work due to a family emergency, illness.etc…”
• “I commute from Grand Rapids on a daily basis and Shawn has allowed me to adjust my work schedule so that I could join a vanpool to help with my work/life balance, save on the cost of commuting and remove some of the wear and tear of driving daily.”
• “Shawn’s management style is one of empowerment and personalized support.”

Judy McMillan- HRPP Manager-Human Research Liaison Program

• “Judy routinely encourages our team to work flexible hours if needed so that we are able to not only excel at our jobs, but also allowing for us to have a life outside of work with our families.”
• “I have always felt that Judy respects me as a person first!”
• “Judy holds us accountable for our scheduled work hours but also knows that they may be atypical for a given work day to allow for family commitments and what I like to term “hiccups”.”

 Gary Roloff- Associate Professor-Fisheries and Wildlife

• “Gary is much more than the person who oversees my work; you could say he is the reason I work.”
• “Gary ensures that the work we are doing for him aligns with our greater goals for the future.”
• “Anyone who has ever worked with Gary would agree that this award was created to recognize people like Gary.”

Holly Rosen- Director -MSU Safe Place

• “By employing a philosophy of teamwork Holly works to teach and empower our staff, helping everyone to be invested in the process.”
• “She was flexible with prenatal appointments, provided advice and guidance and encouraged me to take time off from work after the birth of both of our children.”
• Holly sets the tone for a respectful, inclusive, and client centered work environment.”

All the nominators claim to have the “Best Boss” on campus!

In today’s employment market there is a “business-case” for offering work/life support. There is evidence that by offering work/life services such as those provided by the Family Resource Center, we are in a better position to recruit and retain quality employees. When sincere consideration is given to an individual’s personal responsibilities outside the job, absenteeism may be reduced and morale and productivity are improved.

In 2003, October was designated as “National Work and Family Month”. With this declaration of Senate Resolution 210, the U.S. Senate illustrated the importance of work/life initiatives, and that “supporting a balance between work and personal life is in the best interest of national worker productivity” and that “reducing the conflict between work and family life should be a national priority.”

In celebration of “National Bosses Day and Work & Family Month” the recipients were honored at surprise parties with their staff. The surprise parties were held on various dates surrounding National Boss Day on October 16^th, 2014. These departments went out of their way to recognize these positive managers with moving award ceremonies where their family members were also invited. All of the nominees received Certificates of Nomination, and letters of congratulations.

MSU is proud to have leaders who manage their work environments with sensitivity to individuals. Thanks for making State a great place to work!