Human Resources

• Andesha Birch – Multicultural Center
• Traci Cox – Human Resources
• Rory Kliewer – Transfer Center
• Ashlee Maldonado – Admissions
• Heather Michelsen – Human Resources
• Katie Seymour – Undergraduate Studies
• Lucy Johnson – Admissions

• Dale Hubbard – Facilities Management Department

Open Enrollment for 2026 takes place from October 27 to November 24, 2025. This is your once-a-year opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your health plan elections or enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Open Enrollment changes are effective January 1.

Read the Health Care Authority’s For Your Benefit Newsletter which contains information about Open Enrollment and the 2026 medical plan rates.

If you wish to continue/enroll in a FSA or DCAP for 2026, you must enroll during Open Enrollment. If you are currently enrolled in a FSA or DCAP, you must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment in order to continue participating in the following year.

You can view your current coverage and make changes to medical, dental, and vision plans online via Benefits 24/7. If you’re thinking of changing plans, visit the HCA’s Compare Medical Plans page – their Medical Benefits Comparison Tool can be especially useful.

Happy with your current health plans? Unless signing up for a FSA or DCAP or responding to a direct request from the Health Care Authority to re-attest to a spousal surcharge, you do not need to submit Open Enrollment changes.

Join us online for Rest Easy: Quieting the Mind & Body with Dr. Ciara Lewis and learn more about the importance of sleep.   

In today’s hustle culture, it can often feel like exhaustion is the norm while rest and relaxation are elusive. Join Dr. Ciara Lewis from Des Moines University to learn why prioritizing sleep is so important, better understand how sleep “works,” increase your awareness of sleep-interfering behaviors, and take away effective strategies to help you attain a more peaceful mind and body and achieve more restorative sleep.  Demonstrations of several relaxation strategies will also be provided. 

This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff.  Join us virtually or in person, with light refreshments provided for those attending in-person at CWU-Lynnwood Center.  

Date: November 4, 2025

Time:  4:00 - 5:00 pm

Location:  Virtual on Zoom or In Person at CWU-Lynnwood Center, Snoqualmie Hall, Room 101

Presented by:  Westside Student Life @ CWU-Lynnwood 

Zoom Pre-Registration Link

Dr. Ciara Lewis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has served as the Director of the Student Counseling Center at Des Moines University in West Des Moines, Iowa since 2015.  Ciara first earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Iowa before obtaining her Master's and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis in 2007 and 2008.  She has worked in higher education settings throughout her career and loves working with students.  Ciara considers herself a generalist and has experience supporting students related to a variety of concerns, providing individual and relationship counseling, conducting psychoeducational evaluations, and developing and delivering mental health and wellness-related programming.

A Better Way to Manage your CWU Retirement Benefits is Coming

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

Effective in early 2026, TIAA will 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

What’s changing

• One recordkeeper: TIAA — all CWURP and VIP accounts will be moved to TIAA
• More support and guidance — from in-person sessions to personal consultations

What to do now:  Visit with the TIAA representative during “office hours” between 8 AM and 5 PM Wednesday, November 5^th or Thursday, November 6^th in SURC 273.

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.

Emergency Preparedness
Join University Police for this in-person session of Emergency Preparedness. Learn to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.

Date & Time       November 5, 10 AM
Location             Grupe Center, Ellensburg Campus
Audience            All Employees

Enroll Now

Link to Flyer for "First Friday: Strategic Leadership & Decision Making"

Join CWU’s Dr. Sathy Rajendran, Ph.D., to explore how to align decision-making processes with organizational goals, build adaptive strategies, and lead with clarity and impact.

Date & Time:      November 7, 11 AM
Location:            Shaw 115, Ellensburg Campus; reach out to cla@cwu.edu to request zoom link
Audience:           All Employees & Students

Enroll Now

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination FOR NON-SUPERVISORS

Join Laura Brant-Hoefer, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, for this in-person session that prepares learners to cultivate and maintain a workplace culture resistant to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Date & Time:     November 20, 9 AM
Location:           Grupe Center, Ellensburg Campus
Audience:          All Non-Supervising Employees

Enroll Now

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination FOR SUPERVISORS

Join Laura Brant-Hoefer, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, for this in-person session that prepares supervisors to cultivate and maintain a workplace culture resistant to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Date & Time:     November 20, 9 AM - Noon
Location:           Grupe Center, Ellensburg Campus
Audience:          All Supervising Employees

Enroll Now

Questions? cla@cwu.edu

For Leaders at All Levels: Staff, Faculty, and Students.

How to Enroll: MyCWU >> Learning Tab >> enter “First Friday” in Search for Learning field

More Information: cla@cwu.edu

Veterans Day began as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" to honor American veterans who have served in all wars. We celebrate and honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. We thank our Wildcat veterans for their service.

CWU will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

Quitting smoking isn't easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday in November be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. Join the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday in November to start your smoke-free journey.

Resources:

• Your medical plan: Learn about the tobacco cessation benefits available.
• National support: The American Cancer Society provides resources and guidance.
• National Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), is available for free support and coaching.
• Quit apps: Check out recommended quit-smoking apps like QuitGuide and QuitStart for daily reminders, goal tracking, and motivational support.

Let’s support each other in taking one small step towards a healthier future. Whether it’s your day to quit or to encourage a friend, together, we can make a big difference.

Subject: SmartHealth $125 wellness incentive deadline approaching

Don’t miss your chance to qualify for the SmartHealth $125 wellness incentive. The deadline is quickly approaching.

How to qualify

Eligible PEBB subscribers can qualify for a $125 wellness incentive. Complete the SmartHealth well-being assessment (worth 800 points) and reach a total of 2,000 SmartHealth points by the deadline.

The deadline for most is November 30, 2025. New PEBB medical plan subscribers with a medical effective date in October through December have until December 31, 2025.

Learn more about SmartHealth

• Find information about eligibility, the wellness incentive, and more at SmartHealth (PEBB).
• Watch the SmartHealth overview video.
• Get activity ideas on the Reward yourself with SmartHealth flyer.
• Get instructions for logging into SmartHealth at Accessing SmartHealth.

Questions?

• SmartHealth support:

WebMD Customer Service
Online: Contact SmartHealth
Phone: 1-800-947-9541, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Pacific)

• Need help with Secure Access Washington (SAW)?
  Click the Get Help button on the SAW website.

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

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.

The U.S. Department of Education can forgive student loan debt after 10 years of making 120 qualifying payments while working for a state agency or a qualifying public sector employer. To qualify, you must have Federal Direct loans. If you have Perkins or FFEL loans, you must consolidate into a Direct Consolidation. If you have Direct Parent PLUS loans, you may also need to consolidate. If you consolidate between now and April 30, 2024, you will not lose PSLF qualifying payment credit due to the IDR Account Adjustment.

Get Started: Use the PSLF Help Tool to complete a PSLF form and submit an employment certification request. Your form will be submitted to the PSLF servicer (MOHELA) for processing, which may take up to 90 business days. Create a MOHELA account to check on qualifying payment count. If MOHELA is not your current servicer, submitting a PSLF form will initiate a loan transfer from your current servicer to MOHELA, which can take an additional 90 business days.

CWU Employer Identification Number (EIN): 91-6000618
CWU contact email: employment.verification@cwu.edu

Submit questions about Public Service Loan Forgiveness on the Washington State Student Loan Advocate’s website.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 cup cubed butternut squash
• 1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
• 1 apple, diced
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash and Brussels sprouts with 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender.
2. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Fluff and let cool.
3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, roasted veggies, apple, cranberries, and nuts.
4. Whisk remaining olive oil, vinegar, and maple syrup; drizzle over salad and toss.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”

                                Aesop