Civil Service Employee of the Month recap January - March

Congratulations are in order for three Governors State University (GovState) employees who were named Civil Service Employee of the Month from January 2024 through March 2024! All nominations were made anonymously.

Laura Mueller, Office Manager in the College of Health and Human Services, received the award in January 2024. A co-worker shared:  “Laura is an outstanding civil service employee and makes a positive impact on our team. She joined our team during COVID and the high pressure time of our graduate program going through the accreditation. Laura brought herself up to speed quickly, learning all systems used at GSU and associated with her position. She has demonstrated exceptional ability in tasks associated with her position!”

The February 2024 award recipient was Joan Johns Maloney, Associate Director of Benefits and Employee Engagement. “Part of Joan’s duties in HR is to walk employees through complicated family leave processes and policies. Joan has soothed my fried nerves with calm and compassionate guidance on which steps to take to ensure my job would be protected. In an unscheduled phone call, Joan took time to provide the peace of mind and knowledge I needed to care for my family in my greatest time of need.  Joan is a jewel in the Governors State community!” said an appreciative co-worker.

Richard (Rick) Rusakiewicz, Payroll Specialist, was the award recipient for March 2024. “Rick is our Payroll Specialist. He first worked in the department as an Extra Help Payroll Specialist in 2015. He returned as a full time employee in 2018. He has always given 100% in all he does for the department. He is knowledgeable, efficient, dependable and it is very easy to work with him. He has integrity, empathy and compassion. One of his greatest attributes is he always shows compassion for others,” wrote a co-worker.

Congratulations to Laura, Joan, and Rick. Keep up the great work!