Human Resources
HR Espresso
Your monthly source for express HR updates and news
As we head into November, it’s a good time to review your benefits and plan for the year ahead. Thank you for being part of the CWU community!
Direct questions about anything in this newsletter to hr@cwu.edu.
-
Welcome New Employees to the Wildcat Family!
- Noah Bruce - Aviation
- Lucas Bissonette - Grounds Maintenance
- Bayli Fader - SURC Kitchen
- Emily Freeman - Custodial Services
- Aja Good - University Recreation
- Patrick Hubbard - Aviation
- Karlee Hansen - University Advancement
- Kathleen Hoy - Business Community Services
- Akaisha Johnson - CWU Wildcat Farm
- Christopher Madsen - Custodial Services
- Ian Plagmann - Grounds Maintenance and Shop
- Derek Smith - SURC Kitchen
- Joel Stuebs - Grab-N-Go
- Laura Valle – Academic Achievement Programs
- Jon Usher - Custodial Services
-
2027 Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for 2027 takes place from October 26 to November 23, 2026. 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. Watch for the Health Care Authority’s For Your Benefit Newsletter which contains information about Open Enrollment and the 2027 medical plan rates.
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.
If you wish to continue/enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for 2027, 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.
If you’re thinking of changing plans, visit the HCA’s Compare Medical Plans page – their Medical Benefits Comparison Tool can be especially useful.
-
Caring for Yourself to Care for Others Webinar & Wellness Incentive - SmartHealth
Join WebMD for the Caring for Yourself to Care for Others webinar on November 4, 2026, at noon.
Define who is a caregiver | Review statistics of caregiving | Identify tools for preventing burnout | Discuss establishing a care plan | Analyze self-care strategies for caregivers | Receive a list of resources for caregivers.
Register to join the webinar.
Complete the “Caring for yourself to care for others” activity in SmartHealth between October 8 and November 4, 2026 to earn 50 points.
Remember to Earn your Wellness Incentive through SmartHealth!
If you earn 2,000 total points by November 30, you can qualify for a wellness incentive, (if eligible) and earn $125 off next year’s medical deductible or a $125 contribution to your HSA if enrolled in a CDHP.
(New subscribers with medical effective October 1 have until December 31 to earn their points.)
Learn more about SmartHealth on HCA’s website
-
Veterans Day
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, Wednesday, November 11, 2026. -
Great American Smokeout
Join the Great American Smokeout November 19
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.
-
Nominate an Employee for Employee Recognition
Every day, CWU employees make a positive impact through their dedication, service, and commitment to the Wildcat Way (Welcoming, Inclusive, Knowledgeable, Responsive, Proud). We invite all Wildcats to nominate a Central Washington University employee whose performance and contributions warrant special recognition.
Evaluation
Wildcat Way and Employee of the Month nominations are evaluated based on how employees demonstrate and support the values of Central Washington University, as well as the Wildcat Way. Elements of the Wildcat Way should be used as a guide when describing why an employee deserves recognition:- Welcoming - Greeting and treating others with politeness, kindness, and thoughtfulness
- Inclusive - Portraying an attitude of respect and gratitude for all
- Knowledgeable - Having the process skills, system skills, and necessary content expertise
- Responsive - Readily taking action, focused on making the experience of those we serve a positive one
- Proud - Feeling pleasure or satisfaction in our own accomplishments and the accomplishments of our students, coworkers, university and community
All nominees will be notified of their Employee Recognition submissions and recognized for demonstrating the Wildcat Way. Nominee's eligible for the classified/exempt Employee of the month will be reviewed by the classified/exempt committees using the information provided in the nomination.
-
First Choice Health
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.
-
Additional Mental Health Services for CWU Employees
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
-
You may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
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.eduSubmit questions about Public Service Loan Forgiveness on the Washington State Student Loan Advocate’s website.
-
Pumpkin Pie Bar Recipe
INGREDIENTS
Crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
(about 12 full-sheet graham crackers) - 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 can (15oz) pure pumpkin
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- optional for topping: whipped cream
*pumpkin pie spice = 1/2 teaspoon each of ground allspice and ginger and 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and cloves
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Line 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper with overhang to allow easy removal of the bars from the pan.
- Prepare crust: Mix graham crackers crumbs and pecans. Stir in sugar and melted butter until combined. Press tightly into the bottom and sides of the baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.
- Prepare filling: Beat/whisk all filling ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth. Pour into the crust.
- Bake 40–50 minutes or until center is no longer jiggly. Cool on wire rack.
- Top with whipped cream and chopped pecans, if desired.
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
-
Quote
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
-Aesop
CWU News
McNair Scholars develop bonds, hone presentation skills at national conference
November 4, 2026 by Rune Torgersen
FAST Program funding helps position BCS as a regional innovation hub
November 4, 2026 by David Leder