Human Resources

• Evelyn Aguiar – Student Financial Services
• Dale Campbell – Grounds Maintenance and Shop
• Jonah Cilley – Aviation
• Ian Floyd – University Advancement
• Luis Gomez – High School Equivalency Program
• Sam Hooper – University Police and Public Safety
• Charles Imperatori – School of Education
• Valentino Marroquin – Custodial Services
• Matthew Morse – Aviation
• Shelise Smithgall – Veteran and Military–Connected Student Center
• Jordan Spradlin – Sustainability
• Kristie Thomas – Grants and Contracts

January brings several practical workshops your teams may find helpful.

SUPERVISING AT CWU

ePERFORMANCE – GOALS TRAINING

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MADE SIMPLE: CWU TOOLS AND TEMPLATES

View more upcoming workshops on the CWU Events Calendar.

Questions? Please reach out to cla@cwu.edu

THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January each year. This day marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and civil society.

You will receive your W-2 electronically via MyCWU (if elected), or by mail to your verified address.

What You Need to Do:

1. Choose Electronic Delivery: Log in to MyCWU: Employee > Payroll > W-2/W-2c Consent
2. Verify Your Mailing Address: Log in to MyCWU: Employee > Personal > Personal Details > Addresses > Mailing Address

Additional Reminder:
If your dependent status has changed, the IRS requires you to update your W-4 Employee's Withholding Certificate. Update your W-4 in MyCWU: Employee > Payroll > W-4 Tax Information

For more information, visit the IRS website:

• Tax Withholding for Individuals
• Nonresident Withholding Information

 Questions? Contact HR: hr@cwu.edu or (509) 963-1202

Personalize your path to well-being with SmartHealth. Find tools that can help you exercise, eat healthy, overcome stress, and discover your healthiest state of mind. Explore more healthy options in SmartHealth today.

Learn more on the Smart Health (PEBB) Website

Qualify for a $125 wellness incentive in 2027!

1. Get Started - Log into SmartHealth.
2. Take the assessment -The well-being assessment takes about 15 minutes and is worht 800 points.
3. Qualify - Join and track more activities to ear at least 2,000 total points before your deadline.

Supporting you on your journey toward living well

smarthealth.hca.wa.gov

How do you benefit?

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program would like to hear what you think about your benefits and how they could improve. 

Please take this brief survey to help them continue to improve our offerings and services. The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete and is for employee members only. 

At the Health Care Authority, they strive to offer high-quality benefits to all members. Your feedback is critical in ensuring that these offerings meet or exceed your or your family’s needs for years to come. 

They’re collecting feedback through February 2. 

All 2025 FSA and DCAP expenses must be submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2026.

Unused DCAP balances will be forfeited and unused FSA balances above $660 will be forfeited. To receive FSA carryover, you must be enrolled in the FSA for 2026 or have at least $120 left in your account.

Login to your Navia account for more information and to submit claims.

Direct questions to Navia’s customer service at 800-669-3539 or customerservice@naviabenefits.com

Employee Assistance Program: Support When You Need It

Your well-being matters. The First Choice Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers 24/7 access to licensed mental health counselors. Just call 800-777-4114 for immediate support. You can also explore a wide range of confidential resources online, from emotional wellbeing to financial tools, parenting, legal topics, and more. Visit www.FirstChoiceEAP.com and log in with the username CWU to get started. Services are available to all faculty, staff, and their family members.

Behavioral Health Services available through your PEBB medical insurance or call Uniform Medical (UMP) or Kaiser.

Local Helpline | 24/7 | Master's-Level Counselors | 509-925-4168 

National Hotline | 24/7 | Dial 988 or Text 'Home' to 741741

online chat feature: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Staff are working hard to ensure sidewalks are safe. However, please be cautious during winter weather conditions. Remember to take it slow and walk like a penguin:

• Extend arms for balance.
• Point feet out slightly.
• Take small steps.

Q:  Where can I find information about campus closure due to inclement weather?

CWU is transitioning to a new retirement plan experience designed to make it easier, more secure, and more cost-effective for you.

Effective January 2026, TIAA has become the sole recordkeeper for both the Central Washington University Retirement Plan (CWURP) and the Voluntary Investment Plan (VIP), replacing the current dual-recordkeeper structure (TIAA and Fidelity). This means you’ll access and manage your CWU retirement investments from one place.

Why we’re making this change

• Simplify your experience with only one platform to manage your retirement investments
• Increase cybersecurity and user access controls
• Lower your fees (from as much as $100 to around $27 per person)
• Enhance retirement savings and accessibility, in alignment with the Secure Act 2.0
• Streamline VIP enrollment and contribution rate changes

Why this all matters: Your CWU retirement plan is important

For many people, it’s easy to just set your retirement and voluntary investment program elections when you first enroll and then forget about them. But your CWU retirement benefit is a powerful part of your total compensation. With generous matching contributions and access to world-class investment tools, your plan is designed to help you build long-term financial security throughout your work journey and into your retirement.

We’re here to help

Access your account or contact TIAA to manage balances, make changes to current investments, update your beneficiary, request loans or withdrawals, and more.

Online: Go to the TIAA website to view how your plan is changing. If you’re new to TIAA, select Log in, then Get online access. Follow the on-screen directions to access your account.

Phone: Call TIAA at 800-842-2252, weekdays, 5 AM to 7 PM

MEET WITH A RETIREMENT PLAN REPRESENTATIVE

Our TIAA rep will be on the Ellensburg campus January 13, 14, and 15 for in-person meetings.

TIAA is the plan administrator for the CWU Retirement Plan (CWURP) and the Voluntary Investment Plan (VIP). The CWURP is the mandatory faculty and exempt retirement plan and the VIP is an optional retirement savings plan available to all non-student employees.

Sign up today, as space is limited. Login to TIAA to schedule a meeting or call 800-842-2252, weekdays, 5 AM to 7 PM.

Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond to support student success and contribute to a workplace rooted in Engagement, Belonging, Stewardship, and Student Success.

Help us recognize the exceptional work happening across campus by nominating a classified or exempt employee for the Employee of the Month Award. Whether it’s through a standout project, a positive impact on others, or consistently living into CWU’s mission, we want to celebrate those who make a difference. Let’s shine a spotlight on those who make CWU a better place every day.

Who can nominate?       Anyone
Who is eligible?              Classified and Exempt Staff
What’s the reward?        $125 and recognition at a quarterly celebration
Bonus:                               Monthly winners are eligible for Employee of the Year

Nomination Form

Celebrate a Colleague's Exceptional Efforts by nominating them for the Wildcat Way Spotlight—a heartfelt way to recognize their dedication and share their story with the CWU community. Each nominee receives a personal message of appreciation, and their supervisor is notified as well. It’s a simple, meaningful way to say thank you.

Ingredients:

• 1 Red Onion, diced
• 1 Zucchini, diced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
• 1 15.5 oz. Can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15.5 oz Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1.5 cups shredded cheese
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 1/4 cup enchilada sauce
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 Tbsp oil

Directions:

1. On a parchment lined baking sheet, arrange zucchini, onion, and peppers. Drizzle with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and broil on low for 10-12 minutes until veggies are slightly charred.
2. Remove veggies from oven and transfer to oven safe baking dish.
3. Add beans, cilantro, enchilada sauce, remaining spices, and 1 cup of shredded cheese and stir to combine.
4. Top with remaining cheese and bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
5. Serve hot with toppings like sliced jalapeños, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips.

“January is the perfect balance between winter’s stillness and the new year’s potential.”

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