The 2026 Staff Excellence Award recipients

To recognize their outstanding commitment to Central Michigan University and its students, 19 staff members have earned 2026 CMU Staff Excellence Awards. The award recipients were selected out of a record 117 nominations submitted by their colleagues. 

Nomination forms were filled with descriptions of staff members whose work philosophy aligns with CMU’s core values. Nearly every nomination included descriptions of characteristics such as, “professional, highly skilled, responsible and compassionate.” Some award recipients were even described as “an indispensable asset to the university,” and “an invaluable resource.”

The CMU staff members selected for the special recognition this year are:

• Mike Dabbs, Director of Development in University Advancement for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Science and the division of University Engagement and Student Affairs
• Judy Flaugher, Assistant Registrar of Academic Scheduling and Space in the Registrar’s Office
• Ari Harris, Executive Director of Strategic Communications in University Marketing and Communications
• Jennifer Laubenthal, Director of Assessment and Accreditation for the College of Science and Engineering
• Kathleen Litwiller, Administrative Office Assistant III in the Philip L. Kintzele School of Accounting
• Katie Long, Administrative Office Assistant III for the Physician Assistant program
• Teresea Looman, Lead Teacher for the Child Development and Learning Lab within the Human Development and Family Studies program
• Angie Moss, Assistant Director for Faculty Personnel Services
• Alisha Norman, Assistant Director of Housing Assignments in Residence Life
• Jenna Owens, Faculty Employment and Compensation Specialist in Faculty Personnel Services
• Wiline Pangle, Director of the InSciTE program
• Steely Pegg, Assistant Director in Residence Life
• Karen Rintamaki, Coordinator of Faculty Support for Curriculum and Instructional Support
• Brandon Skiles, Assistant Director in the Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute
• Kelsey Szymanski, Senior Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions for Undergraduate Admissions
• Wade Tomson, Senior Associate Director of Campus Visits and Events for Undergraduate Admissions
• Amy Turley, Administrative Coordinator for the Office of the President
• Nikki Turner, Director of HR-SAP Information Systems in Human Resources
• Rob Vandorin, Executive Director of Business and Community Outreach for CMU Online

The Staff Excellence Awards are supported by the university’s Office of Human Resources and the CMU Shared Governance Council. A working group of faculty and staff members from the Shared Governance Council reviewed all submissions and selected this year’s recipients.

“Given the caliber of nominations and the worthy pool of nominees, those who were selected this year are truly exemplary,” said Jeff Angera, co-chair of the Shared Governance Council and chair and faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “Reading these recommendations made me proud to be at CMU.”

Associate Vice President of Human Resources Lori Hella believes this year’s recipients improve the overall CMU experience.  

"Each individual nominated has made meaningful contributions to our university community, making the selection process both inspiring and incredibly difficult,” Hella said. "The recipients of the Staff Excellence Award strengthen our university and remind us that excellence is not only about achievement, but about the positive difference we can make in the lives of others."

The recipients of the 2026 CMU Staff Excellence Award will be recognized at a ceremony on September 30, 2026, in the University Center Rotunda.