Human Resources
HR Espresso
Your monthly source for express HR updates and news
October brings the academic year into full swing, along with cooler days and plenty happening across campus.
This month, we’re highlighting a number of resources and opportunities including:
Financial Wellness Workshops October 6 and 7
Mental Health First Aid Training October 9 and 16
Flu Shots October 14
Meet with a TIAA Representative October 20, 21, 22
Open Enrollment begins October 26
Thank you for all you do each day to support our students and one another.
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore what’s available to you this month.
Direct questions about anything in this newsletter to hr@cwu.edu.
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Welcome New Employees to the Wildcat Family!
- Larissa Baldovinos – Marketing and Communication
- Nicole Barr – Advising and Academic Success
- Gavin Brunk – Student Union Operations
- Case Carlo – Aviation
- Katherine Christensen – Aviation
- Maya DeKnikker – College of the Sciences (COTS)
- Steven DeStio – Veteran & Military-Connected Student Center
- Liz Ferguson – Aviation
- Kaitlyn Gallaher – Panda Express
- Courtney Garzone – Case Management
- George Hattell – Aviation
- David Hartless – College of the Sciences (COTS)
- Lovejot Kaur – Student Involvement
- John Kibelstis – Aviation
- Yoon (Yoonah) Kim – Learning Commons
- Brooke Richardson – Parking Services
- Chad Rihn – Custodial Services
- Reid Sumner – Aviation
- David Vicente – Grab-N-Go
- Daniel Walters – Aviation
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Financial Wellness Week
Are You on Track for Retirement?
Financial Wellness Week
Plan now to attend the in-person fall Retirement Readiness workshop series
October 6, 7, an 8 in the SURC.
Watch your email and Central Today for enrollment information.Workshop topics will include:
- PERS 2 & 3 Basics
- Retiree Health Insurance
- Choosing Between PERS 2 & 3
- Managing Your Money (Budgeting)
- Planning for the Income You’ll Need in Retirement
- Learning More about Social Security
Financial security in retirement doesn’t just happen; it takes planning and commitment. With daily responsibilities and competing priorities, it can be easy to put off – but we’re here to help! Take this opportunity to assess your savings progress. If you’re not where you should be, now is a good time to do something about it. Start taking control of your future by attending a workshop.
Presenters include representatives from TIAA, the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), and the Health Care Authority (HCA).
If you’re nearing the exciting milestone of retirement, visit our Getting Ready for Retirement webpage for helpful information and step-by-step guidance. Whether retirement is a few years away or just around the corner, this resource will support you in making informed decisions for a smooth transition.
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DRS News Updates
Time travel your way to retirement
Break out your favorite vintage shirt and hit rewind. This October, we’re taking a trip back in time for National Retirement Security Month, with a little retirement planning along the way.
We’ve created a collection of vintage bedrooms inspired by different generations. Explore each one to find familiar toys, gadgets and other throwbacks, along with financial tips and tools.
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Mental Health First Aid
More information and how to sign up:
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Flue Shot Clinic - Oct 14
Human Resources Presents a Flu Shot Clinic
Must Present Insurance Card to Receive Free Flu Shot
October 14, 10:30am - 12:30pm | Mitchell Hall Lobby
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MEET WITH A FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
1 in 4 Americans who works with a financial professional reports nearly double the confidence in retirement planning compared to those without an advisor, yet only 20% of those not yet retired currently access professional financial guidance.
Take advantage of your chance to meet with a finance professional.
Our TIAA representative will be on the Ellensburg campus October 20, 21, 22, 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. Register for sessions at tiaa.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-842-2252, weekdays, 5 AM to 7 PM
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Earn your Wellness Incentive through SmartHealth!
Take the next step toward a healthier, stronger you!
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 and then visit SmartHealth to get started!
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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.
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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.
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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
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Nominate a Colleague for Employee of the Month
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 -
Wildcat Way
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.
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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.
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The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
Ingredients
Filling:
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples (green apples) , peeled, cored, and cut into ¼" slices (9-10 apples)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Topping:
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup melted butter (cooled)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make the apple filling: In a large mixing bowl, toss sliced apples with the sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons flour, salt cinnamon, and nutmeg, and set aside.
- Make the crisp topping: In a smaller mixing bowl, toss oats, 1 ½ cups flour, brown sugar, and baking powder together, then use your fingers to mix in the melted butter, making small clumps.
- Assemble: Layer the sugared apples and their juice in a 9 X 13 baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the oatmeal mixture, but don't pack it tightly.
- Bake uncovered 50-60 minutes until apples are soft and tender and the sauce is bubbly. If the crisp seems to be browning too much, cover with foil for the remaining cooking time.
- Let cool for 20-30 minutes before serving for the caramel sauce to thicken. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whip cream.
- Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches
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Quote
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
-Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
CWU News
Washoe’s story featured on BBC international broadcast
October 19, 2026 by Rune Torgersen
Award-winning poet and speaker to visit CWU on October 27-28
October 19, 2026 by Marketing and Communications