#AMUAPUVibes

"I am beyond proud to nominate Laura Call for the “We Move Fast” award. She consistently demonstrates what it means to take swift, thoughtful action in service of our students and our team – not just in isolated moments, but as a part of how she works each day.

She is always the first to volunteer when the team needs support, stepping in without hesitation and with a genuine desire to help. When Laura identifies an issue, she doesn’t wait for direction or allow overthinking to stall progress. Instead, she acts quickly and confidently to address needs immediately. In addition to her other MRRS responsibilities, Laura became the primary individual on our team to handle conferral-related Salesforce cases in January. Having zero previous experience with conferral processes, she dove head-first into the challenge. For several weeks in Q1, we received an average of 150 cases/day in the Conferrals queue. Her commitment and ability to “move fast” were instrumental in allowing us to manage this increase in workload and maintain our SLA.

Even more than her quick action, what truly sets her apart is her heart for serving students. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure they have a positive, seamless experience. Her actions show that excellence—not perfection—is her standard, and she embraces change with a mindset that inspires those around her. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this award."

"Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson makes sure to keep abreast of current online pedagogical trends and moves forward to help herself and her colleagues up to date. If there is a question, she dives in to help answer that can seem out of reach.

Jennifer has taken the initiative a few times ever since working with APUS. She helped spear head and co-create the FROM conference. She wanted to hear stories about the Forgotten, Rebels, Overlooked and Marginalized faculty and believed we had our own stories to tell. Sharing stories not only brings people together but it also fosters understanding of different cultures and lifestyles others bring to the table, and this has always been important to her. The conference ran 3 years strong, and she was an active member of the core group that met twice a month to plan, to schedule, to refine and define what the conference was about each year. If there's a voice to be heard for the disenfranchised, JFF's is the one you want to hear.

Jennifer also curated the scheduling template for the full time English faculty- allowing for a more robust and satisfying scheduling experience that should prevent a work/life imbalance. Being able to schedule in advance helps keep a work-life balance healthy and enable us to do other work that shines a light on just how awesome this department is.

Jennifer also started the monthly English Brown Bag talks. The desire to talk with others in the department and form a stronger sense of collegiality - which can be lacking in the online environment is her goal, and thus far, it seems to be working. Each talk covers topics about teaching and learning, assignment creation and, of course, AI. Jennifer has give three keynotes in the last two years talking about AI and writing.

Jennifer also presents and multiple conferences each year, including TES for the last 3 years, keeping her research scholarship active. If there's a job that needs to be done, JFF would be my go-to 100% of the time. She is one of the greatest assets in this department and deserves this award and many others. I love working with her."

"Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson moves fast. When she sees a need within a class or the English Department, she acts without anyone asking her to do so.

Her actions are based on careful decision-making concerning new and changing educational technologies. She strives for excellence by staying abreast of current online pedagogical trends, particularly those related to AI as she is a ChatGPT brand ambassador. When learning of a new tool or strategy, she quickly assesses its relevancy to her teaching.

Dr. Fisch-Ferguson embraces change, creatively integrating emerging AI technologies into her course assignments and discussions in ways that foster a dynamic learning environment that uses AI to teach content but also to teach students how to use these tools in a critical and creative way. For instance, she has redesigned forum discussions to teach AI prompting as part of the writing process and assesses students’ critical use of AI prompts rather than only assessing the written product produced. She presents every year on her use of AI in the classroom, including giving three keynotes at national conferences and delivering the session Think Deeper, Write Smarter: Harnessing AI for Critical Analysis Mastery at the recent CTL Teaching Excellence Summit.

Dr. Fisch-Ferguson’s is committed to initiatives that promote faculty development. Over the course of just a few weeks, she identified the need for and coordinated a brownbag webinar series that provides a forum for English faculty to share successful teaching strategies and experiment with new ideas. She also helped spearhead the APUS-sponsored FROM conference because she saw an opportunity for faculty to share their research about the Forgotten, Rebels, Overlooked and Marginalized and the importance of others, particularly students, learning about these subjects to foster understanding and change.

Dr. Fisch-Ferguson recognizes that not acting comes at a cost. For instance, she took the initiative to design and conduct a survey of English faculty to provide data to improve processes to allow faculty to teach more often the courses they design and to reduce overlap of many courses that are writing intensive, resulting in a more streamlined scheduling process and ensuring that course offerings are responsive to both faculty and student needs.

As a teacher, she does not overanalyze and acts quickly within the classroom. For instance, she produces weekly wrap-up videos that may not be as edited and polished as the lesson videos but directly address student discussions and needs specific to that week and that class. She also offers weekly individual Zoom meetings with students that provide the personalized instruction that students need and usually need quickly.

Dr. Fisch-Ferguson’s work exemplifies the principles of this award, demonstrating swift action to address the needs of students as well as colleagues within the department and the wider university community."

"Shannon Pattajo truly exemplifies the spirit of "We Move Fast." While she has already been recognized at the team level, her individual performance stands out as extraordinary and deserving of special and wider recognition.

Shannon consistently approaches her work with an unmatched sense of urgency, dedication, and precision. Last month alone, she worked every available hour of overtime and delivered an incredible level of productivity—personally completing 614 evaluations. This level of output is nothing short of remarkable and reflects her relentless drive to move work forward quickly and efficiently. What sets Shannon apart is not just her speed, but her accuracy. She balances rapid execution with a strong commitment to quality, fully embodying our strive for excellence mindset. She is a true force within the team—dependable, driven, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure results.

Shannon’s performance is a powerful example of what it means to move fast while maintaining excellence, and she is highly deserving of recognition in this category."

"I nominate Natascha Gast for a Q1 Vibes award because she epitomizes being ambitious and always playing to win. Natascha consistently demonstrates ambitious vision in both her course design and contributions to department and university initiatives. She has driven changes in curriculum innovation and improvement and spearheaded student service projects to enhance the student experience in and out of the classroom.

Natascha has been on the vanguard in creatively incorporating innovative AI tools into the classroom to improve student learning outcomes, listening to the market’s need for digital literacy and working backwards to create new and powerful ideas that serve students. This year, for instance, she has created course-specific custom AI bots using BoodleBox to support students by providing study guides for lessons and quizzes, forum guidance, assignment reviews, tech support, and more. Her innovative use of AI technologies has made Natascha an influential voice in several AI initiatives at APUS, including serving on the AI Task Force since its inception and currently on the AI Innovation workgroup. She has directly inspired results, such as the creation of APUS AI policies and faculty training content concerning AI assignments and rubrics. In addition, Natascha was a key member of the planning committee for last year’s successful AI conference hosted by APUS, and of course, she presented during the conference too.

Natascha’s use of AI for instruction is a continuation of her long history of incorporating creative and innovative technologies in the classroom to create a vibrant classroom experience that increases student engagement and success. Natascha was featured in Faculty Connect’s instructional champion series. Outside of the classroom, Natascha has forged a winning team of other faculty advisors and a student officer board for the R.E.A.D. Book Club. She was the sole advisor for many years, guiding the club’s significant growth from having just a single student officer participant to becoming a thriving club that has won the Outstanding Chapter of the Year award, the Outstanding Legacy Project award for three consecutive years, and three Outstanding Campus Leader awards for club officers whom Natascha nominated.

Natascha does not think small when it comes to the club’s projects. Natascha was the driving force in organizing the club’s annual financial sponsorship of libraries, reading material, and book clubs in historically underfunded elementary schools through Donors Choose. In addition, Natascha spearheaded the club’s annual adoption of a book through the Smithsonian Adopt-a-Book program. As a new service project in 2025, Natascha worked closely with a club officer to coordinate a Create-a-Book Day for Children at the officer’s local library. These service activities all support the club’s legacy project, Random Acts of Reading. All of these service initiatives have not only directly impacted children and local communities but have fostered a culture of social responsibility among club members and the wider APUS community.

Natascha has been instrumental in ensuring that APUS is at the forefront of educational technology to create engaging courses that enhance student outcomes. Her innovative use of technology and creative pedagogical practices have transformed her classrooms and prompted ongoing evolution of instructional strategies across APUS.

I've worked with Natascha for 15 years, and she makes me want to be a better teacher and a better person. I can think of no one who deserves this award more than Natascha. Her innovative drive and dedication to forward thinking are what every faculty member ought to aspire to!"

"I am thrilled to nominate Natascha Gast for the Q1 Vibes Award. If there is one person who truly epitomizes an ambitious, "play to win" spirit at APUS, it’s Natascha. She doesn't just keep up with the latest trends; she stays on the vanguard, constantly working backward from our students' needs to create powerful, tech-forward solutions.

This year, Natascha has been our resident "AI Oracle," launching custom BoodleBox bots like PC Pal and PAL to give students 24/7 support with everything from assignment reviews to tech hurdles. Her influence doesn't stop at the classroom door, though. Whether she’s leading the AI Task Force, spearheading the Brown Bag series to help colleagues find their footing with new tech, or presenting at the Teaching Excellence Summit, she is always elevating those around her. Her early adoption of H5P was so successful it became a catalyst for university-wide integration—a perfect example of how her "small" ideas have a massive organizational impact.

Beyond the digital landscape, Natascha’s heart for service is unmatched. She has transformed the R.E.A.D. Book Club into an award-winning powerhouse, moving it from a one-person show to a thriving community that sponsors underfunded libraries and partners with the Smithsonian. Her recent "Create-a-Book Day" for children is just the latest example of how she fosters a culture of social responsibility.

Natascha refuses to settle for "good enough." She is ambitious for her students, her colleagues, and her community, and she brings a vibrant, winning energy to everything she touches."

"Senior Career Coach Rowe Leathers has spent more than a decade elevating Career Services through ambition, innovation, and setting an ambitious direction that raises expectations for both students and colleagues. Her impact is evident in the outcomes students achieve and the culture of excellence she reinforces across the team.

A defining strength of Rowe’s is her ability to turn bold ideas into practical, high-impact experiences. A recent example is her initiative to pilot a four-part, hands-on job search strategy webinar series designed to move beyond passive content into active application. Rowe helped create a comprehensive career blueprint that students completed in real time, giving them an immediate, personalized plan to move forward. The workshop received strong feedback, including a participant who later shared her completed blueprint and renewed momentum toward her career goals—an example of Rowe’s focus on exceeding student expectations through meaningful, measurable impact.

Rowe’s excellence is grounded in a relentless commitment to understanding the market and translating that insight into student-ready guidance. She continuously researches labor market trends and employer expectations, then shares timely insights through articles, team discussions, and practical coaching strategies that elevate the entire department. Students frequently praise Rowe for helping them think beyond the next application and develop long-term career strategies that strengthen their professional identity, networking approach, and value in the job market.

Equally important is Rowe’s role in elevating those around her. She is often the first colleague others turn to for thoughtful perspective and strategic guidance. During the challenges of 2025, Rowe played a key mentorship role by helping a teammate develop standards and a digital handbook for the internship-for-academic-credit program. Through collaborative feedback, she helped distill the program into five clear, essential components, making it significantly more accessible and effective for students. This is emblematic of Rowe’s approach: investing time, clarity, and care to strengthen both people and processes.

Rowe exemplifies what it means to be ambitious and to play to win. She listens deeply—to students, colleagues, and the market—asks the questions that push ideas forward, and consistently pilots improvements that make Career Services stronger, smarter, and more impactful. Her dedication extends beyond ideas to execution, ensuring lasting value for students and the team alike."

"As VP for Strategic Partnerships, Eric consistently demonstrates an ambitious, forward focused approach that exemplifies APUSVibe’s commitment to always playing to win. His support of the APUS Nursing program has been both strategic and meaningful, introducing key partners for the newly reformed APUS Nursing IAC, cultivating strong relationships with practice partners, and ensuring the nursing program remains positioned for excellence. His annual acknowledgment of Nurses Week further reinforces his appreciation for the profession and his commitment to celebrating those who serve as the backbone of our healthcare system.

Beyond his formal responsibilities, Eric serves as a trusted advisor and champion for the APUS nursing program. He routinely offers thoughtful guidance on how to expand strategically, strengthen industry connections, and elevate the program’s competitiveness. His drive to make APUS the best option for the audiences we serve—students, partners, and the nursing community—embodies ambition with purpose. Eric’s actions not only support the program’s immediate needs but also build momentum toward long term success, making him a standout example of what it means to be relentlessly committed to winning."

"I am proud to nominate David for this award in recognition of his integrity, openness, and unwavering commitment to elevating our team and department. David exemplifies a culture where candor, respectful dialogue, and continuous improvement are not just ideals—they are daily practices.

One of David’s greatest strengths is his willingness to speak up. In team meetings, he consistently brings forward thoughtful insights, concerns, and solutions that others may hesitate to voice. His contributions are never about being the loudest voice in the room, but about ensuring the team has the full picture needed to make strong, informed decisions. He does this with professionalism and respect, setting the tone for honest communication and productive dialogue.

David also extends this openness into his one‑on‑one conversations. He uses these discussions not only to share his own ideas but to listen—really listen—to others. He creates a comfortable space for candid feedback and genuine collaboration. His one‑on‑ones are known for being constructive, thoughtful, and rooted in mutual trust.

A defining part of David’s impact is his commitment to realistic expectations and departmental improvement. He is always willing to step in, offer support, and help clarify what is truly achievable. When processes are unclear or inefficient, David doesn’t complain—he contributes. He identifies practical improvements, ensures expectations are grounded in reality, and helps the team focus on what will actually move us forward. His ability to balance honesty with encouragement makes him a reliable and respected partner to his peers.

David’s consistent candor, his openness to respectful disagreement, and his ability to challenge ideas—even with superiors—fosters an environment where innovation thrives. He recognizes that great ideas come from a diversity of perspectives, and he actively works to surface those perspectives. By doing so, he helps create a team culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best thinking.

For his leadership through honesty, his commitment to continuous improvement, and his positive influence on team culture, David is exceptionally deserving of this recognition. He is a model of the values we strive to uphold, and he strengthens our department every day."

"Kathy exemplifies these values through her candor, directness, and willingness to engage in respectful, thoughtful dialogue. She fosters an environment where differing perspectives are welcomed and valued, and where it is understood that respectful disagreement—even with superiors—is not only acceptable but essential to innovation.

Kathy consistently challenges the status quo in pursuit of better outcomes for both the organization and our students. Most notably, she proposed and developed an alternative to our current Withdrawal Appeals policy and processes. While this proposal is still under review and awaiting final approval, it reflects her courage to question established practices and offer a new way of doing business at APUS.

Her forward-thinking approach has the potential to generate cost savings for the institution while also creating additional opportunities for student persistence and success. Kathy’s initiative, integrity, and commitment to improvement are deeply appreciated and exemplify what it means to be honest and courageous."

"Meagan consistently demonstrates the courage to ask hard questions and provide thoughtful, direct feedback—even when those conversations are difficult. She approaches candor as an act of responsibility and respect, grounded in a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for both faculty and the institution. In particular, Meagan models this value through her support of faculty during their CARE course revisions, where she is willing to engage in honest dialogue about scope, rigor, and expectations while remaining deeply supportive of faculty success. She helps faculty navigate challenging feedback with clarity and empathy, ensuring conversations remain productive and forward focused.

Additionally, in discussions around potential projects in GDJ, Meagan is unafraid to raise questions, challenge assumptions, or surface concerns early—creating space for better decisionmaking and stronger project outcomes. Her willingness to speak openly, even when it may be uncomfortable, helps teams avoid misalignment and encourages thoughtful, wellconsidered solutions."

"I am excited to nominate Dr. Karyn Gallivan for her outstanding contributions to our University community and her embodiment of the principle that Everyone Matters. Dr. Gallivan consistently demonstrates that every individual—student, faculty, or staff—plays a vital role in the success of our institution, and her actions reflect a deep commitment to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and care.

Dr. Gallivan approaches every challenge with a positive, solution-oriented mindset. Rather than focusing on barriers, she actively seeks opportunities to improve processes and outcomes, ensuring that the needs of students remain at the forefront. Her dedication to enhancing the Sports and Health Sciences curriculum is especially noteworthy. She regularly networks across departments and teams, building strong, collaborative relationships that elevate both the academic experience and the overall student journey. She is quick to reply to email requests or Teams messages, and even with her speed, her thoughtfulness and thoroughness still shine through.

A defining characteristic of Dr. Gallivan’s leadership is her commitment to accessibility. Her open-door philosophy is not just a statement; rather, it is a practice she lives daily. This is clearly reflected in her email signature, where she invites others to “schedule an appointment with me,” signaling to students and colleagues alike that their voices matter. She treats every individual with respect, regardless of their role, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

Dr. Gallivan consistently puts herself in the shoes of others, demonstrating empathy in her interactions and decision-making. Her genuine care for both staff and students fosters a supportive environment where people feel heard, respected, and motivated. She understands that when faculty and staff feel supported and appreciated, they are better equipped to create meaningful, engaging experiences for students. Over and over again, she has collaborated with faculty members and Academic Advisors on unique student cases so that the students can meet their goals, whether to expedite a graduation timeline or plan out courses with the Sports and Health Sciences curriculum to prepare them for a clinical program down the road.

Ultimately, Dr. Gallivan exemplifies the understanding that the success of the University is rooted in its people. By investing in relationships, promoting open access, and encouraging collaboration across all levels, she strengthens our community and enhances the student experience. Her leadership reminds us that when we care for one another and work together, excellence naturally follows.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Dr. Karyn Gallivan as a true champion of the “Everyone Matters” philosophy.”

"I think being a manager requires a lot of empathy and patience. Especially when you're juggling 13 different advisors in a chaotic group chat while your co-manager is out of the office. Kaitlin Nichols, School of Business Academic Advising Manager, brings the good APUS vibes and keeps the ship running. She envelopes the "everyone matters" mantra by delegating and giving her time to each advisor. She cares about our success as individuals. She keeps the morale boosted, and it really keeps all of us on track so we can effectively work with our students.

One of her advisors shared, "Recently, I have had some unexpected life events come up, and Kaitlin is incredibly kind and understanding. She has always made me feel like a valued member of our team, but more importantly, like a valued human! She is consistently kind and helpful. I feel comfortable coming to her about anything. She always meets us where we’re at, but she also challenges us to be better. She wants the best for us in our roles and in our lives. Her hard work is commendable, and her kindness is invaluable. She is a joy to work with. The care she has for us is obvious, and I feel lucky to be a part of her team."

A fellow manager shared: " She is always volunteering to help whenever a hand is needed. That's just Kaitlin - always looking for tea but always willing to bring some cheer and fun along with it - haha!"

Outside of her own team, Kaitlin somehow finds time to assist other teams when their managers are out, handle escalation calls, and successfully navigate start weeks without missing a beat. As a liaison with the School of Business faculty team, she works on many projects, including teaching out of the BA in Retail Management and AA in Hospitality programs. The communication between the faculty and staff in the School of Business is so valuable to make sure that everyone is on the same page. This is especially important since students in this program are directly impacted. With Kaitlin's guidance, this outreach goes smoothly, and these students can readjust their goals based on the new circumstances.

Kaitlin contributed to other Academic Advising groups, such as the Global Advising Week task force and the Learning and Innovation Committee. Both of these groups value her contribution and insight. She has a knack for making sure everyone feels heard and their voices matter.

In short, Kaitlin's impact is felt in so many different directions. From her team, the department, the university, and the students. I highly recommend her as a Q2 achiever.”

“I am pleased to nominate Mary Statesman-Brown for the APUS Achievers Award in the Everyone Matters category. In her role within Registrar Services, Mary consistently reflects the belief that every member of our university community has the opportunity and responsibility to make a meaningful difference in the student experience. Her work supports students at important moments in their academic journey, and she approaches that responsibility with professionalism, care, and respect.

Mary demonstrates the spirit of Everyone Matters through the way she treats colleagues, students, and partners across the University. Regardless of title, role, or department, she engages others with patience, kindness, and a genuine willingness to help. She understands that student success is a shared responsibility and that each interaction, whether directly with a student or in support of another team, can contribute to a stronger, more supportive APUS community.

Mary’s approach is grounded in empathy. She puts herself in the shoes of others, considers the impact of her work on students and colleagues, and looks for ways to make processes clearer, smoother, and more responsive. Her care for others is evident in her follow-through, her attention to detail, and her commitment to helping resolve questions or concerns in a way that supports both institutional standards and the best possible student experience. Mary is one of the people that will randomly reach out to check in on me and her peers across the university, a demonstration of her belief that Everyone Matters.

Mary embodies the principle that everyone matters because she understands that the University’s success is built through people. Through her respect for others, her student-centered mindset, and her daily commitment to service, she helps create an environment where colleagues feel valued and students are better served. For these reasons, Mary Statesman-Brown is highly deserving of recognition in the Everyone Matters category.”

"I am honored to nominate Dave for the APUS VIBES Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to a growth mindset and his profound impact on those around him.

Dave exemplifies what it means to embrace continuous learning and improvement. He doesn’t just encourage growth—he actively creates the conditions for it. Through his leadership, challenges are never seen as obstacles, but as opportunities to learn, develop, and refine our approach. He models adaptability, resilience, and innovation in a way that inspires everyone he works with to do the same.

A defining characteristic of Dr. Gallivan’s leadership is her commitment to accessibility. Her open-door philosophy is not just a statement; rather, it is a practice she lives daily. This is clearly reflected in her email signature, where she invites others to “schedule an appointment with me,” signaling to students and colleagues alike that their voices matter. She treats every individual with respect, regardless of their role, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

On a personal level, Dave has been instrumental in my own journey to becoming a successful manager. He invested time, trust, and thoughtful guidance in my development, consistently pushing me to think critically, stretch beyond my comfort zone, and view setbacks as steppingstones. His ability to provide constructive feedback while empowering confidence is a rare and impactful leadership quality.

What truly sets Dave apart is his genuine belief in the potential of others. He doesn’t just focus on outcomes—he focuses on people. By fostering a culture where growth is expected, supported, and celebrated, he elevates not only individual performance but the strength of the entire team.

Dave’s leadership perfectly embodies the spirit of a growth mindset. His influence extends far beyond his own role, shaping future leaders and driving lasting, meaningful improvement across the organization. I can confidently say that I would not be the manager I am today without his mentorship and example.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly believe Dave is exceptionally deserving of the APUS VIBES Award.”

“Kristen has done far too many things for me to list here, so I am selecting the two that fit best to this nomination.

One of her advisors shared, "Recently, I have had some unexpected life events come up, and Kaitlin is incredibly kind and understanding. She has always made me feel like a valued member of our team, but more importantly, like a valued human! She is consistently kind and helpful. I feel comfortable coming to her about anything. She always meets us where we’re at, but she also challenges us to be better. She wants the best for us in our roles and in our lives. Her hard work is commendable, and her kindness is invaluable. She is a joy to work with. The care she has for us is obvious, and I feel lucky to be a part of her team."

She built our Signature Skills student discovery classrooms for both the undergraduate and graduate students. In this process she designed the logo we now use when discussing all three skills at once. She created in depth examples for each skill for students to deeply understand what each skill is. One of our skills is Growth Mindset. She did an excellent job of explaining and giving real-world examples of growth mindset. Our university as a whole better understands and hopefully exemplifies growth mindset as a result of Kristen's AMAZING work!!

She is also working on her PhD while working here at APUS full-time, raising a family and caring for her parents. She walks the walk as she grows her knowledge and skills academically and through all the projects she takes on here at APUS.”

“Badamaa consistently demonstrates a true growth mindset in the way she works and in how she supports others. She is deeply invested in continuous improvement and approaches challenges as opportunities to learn, adapt, and refine processes. What stands out most to me is how she creates space for others to grow within that mindset. Recently, we’ve been working closely together on a project, and I’ve been learning and adapting to a process that was already well established. Throughout that experience, she has been incredibly patient as I work through it, taking the time to check in not just on the work, but on how I’m doing.

She creates an environment where it feels safe to ask questions, try new approaches, and even make mistakes along the way. At the same time, she trusts my judgment and allows me the autonomy to work through challenges, which encourages both confidence and growth.

Mary’s approach is grounded in empathy. She puts herself in the shoes of others, considers the impact of her work on students and colleagues, and looks for ways to make processes clearer, smoother, and more responsive. Her care for others is evident in her follow-through, her attention to detail, and her commitment to helping resolve questions or concerns in a way that supports both institutional standards and the best possible student experience. Mary is one of the people that will randomly reach out to check in on me and her peers across the university, a demonstration of her belief that Everyone Matters.

Her approach strikes a thoughtful balance where she provides support when it’s needed, but also creates space for learning and development to happen naturally. Because of this, challenges feel less like obstacles and more like opportunities to improve.

Badamaa’s ability to model and support a growth mindset has had a meaningful impact on my own development. She fosters an environment where learning, adaptability, and continuous improvement are not just encouraged, but truly practiced.”

“Michelle Watts is a servant leader who deserves recognition. I participated in 15 interviews with Michelle, where she was highly instrumental in ensuring the most qualified educators were hired to teach Spanish-speaking students and promoting APUS’ mission of providing accessible and affordable education. Clearly communicating expectations of what needs to be accomplished and why it is important is one of Michelle’s many strengths. Her ability to notice people’s emotions, motivations, and perspectives is noticeable in leading meetings amongst diverse personalities. Empathy is used to establish trust while listening to concerns. Likewise, her logical thinking through complexity develops paths to ensure timely task completions. Leveraging the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and teams is another key component of Michelle’s leadership style. Endlessly engaging with doctoral students, faculty, managers, and other leaders promotes accountability, collaboration, and respect.

Welcoming is a key attribute Michelle possesses to make people feel valued. Actively listening to understand and assess issues at a deeper level, at what is said and not said, is one of her key characteristics. To this point, she is able to navigate through complexity. Through thoughtful communication, she guides others to perform at higher levels. Stewardship is also one of her many strengths in how she approaches the university’s mission, the employees within it, and the students we serve.

Reliability to perform with excellence is Michelle’s benchmark. Optimistically perceiving university requests increases morale and demonstrates her professionalism. Commitment to growth is one of her strongest attributes. Knowing that investing in others to develop their skills and confidence for long-term investment to lead at higher levels is widely considered level five leadership or the pinnacle of leading. She embodies the APUS vision to accomplish the mission on a daily basis.”

“I have had many positive interactions with Michelle over recent years when reaching out to her as a representative for her School. Since last year, I serve on a committee that Michelle chairs and leads. She is a fantastic leader. She is calm, organized, professional, warm, and productive. She has a great way of leading others. Michelle's meetings and time lines lead to progress and results. She interacts in kind ways inviting others to share and speak up making sure to include everyone. She makes sure people are heard, have a voice, participate/contribute, etc. while also confirming what committee members contribute. She is encouraging, positive, and a fantastic leader from what I have observed.”

“Annette exemplifies the value of We Surround Ourselves with Amazing People through her unwavering commitment to finding exceptional talent and supporting the University's mission.

In 2026 Annette has worked diligently to recruit and hire more than 60 bilingual part-time faculty members to support instruction in both English and Spanish. This has been a challenging and highly specialized hiring effort that required persistence, creativity, and close collaboration with hiring managers across Academics.

Throughout the process, Annette remained positive, solutions-oriented, and focused on identifying outstanding educators who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise to our academic community. Her ability to build strong partnerships, navigate obstacles, and maintain momentum has been instrumental to the success of this initiative.

Annette's dedication to finding phenomenal talent strengthens our faculty, expands opportunities for our students, and demonstrates her belief in the value that great people bring to our organization. Not only is she amazing, but her work allows us to add additional amazing humans to our APUS employee population!”

“It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Chelsea Graham, Admissions Manager, for this recognition. Chelsea exemplifies the very spirit of what makes our organization exceptional: a deep commitment to people, an unwavering passion for our mission, and a leadership style that inspires excellence in others.

Chelsea consistently demonstrates an extraordinary ability to attract, develop, and retain outstanding colleagues. She has cultivated a team culture rooted in trust, respect, and shared purpose, ensuring that every individual feels valued for what they uniquely bring to the table. Her intentional approach to hiring and mentoring has strengthened the Civilian Admissions team, resulting in both high performance and strong engagement.

At the core of Chelsea’s leadership is a genuine passion for our mission and a belief in the importance of doing good. For more than 13 years, Chelsea has approached her work with energy and optimism, even in the face of challenges. Rather than viewing obstacles as setbacks, Chelsea embraces them as opportunities to innovate, consistently bringing forward creative and thoughtful solutions that move her team—and the organization—forward.

Chelsea fosters an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but actively encouraged. She understands that our collective success depends on the richness of our individual experiences, and she creates space for meaningful dialogue that challenges assumptions and strengthens decision-making. Her leadership promotes autonomy, empowering team members to take ownership of their work while providing the resources, guidance and support needed to succeed.

As a leader, Chelsea is deeply committed to developing others. She recognizes her responsibility not just to manage, but to mentor and coach future leaders. Through her advocacy, she ensures her team has the resources, confidence, and opportunities needed to excel in their roles. She challenges her team to think critically, grow professionally, and continuously strive for excellence.

Chelsea Graham embodies what it means to be a leader in a great organization. She surrounds herself with talented individuals, elevates those around her, and leads with integrity, creativity, and purpose. Her impact extends far beyond her immediate team, contributing to a culture where people are inspired to do their best work every day.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend Chelsea Graham for this award.””

“Brandon "Beej" Johnson is the embodiment of APUS's We Love Simplicity value. In an environment where processes, policies, and student situations can often become complex, Beej consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to cut through the noise, focus on what matters, and deliver solutions that make life easier for both students and colleagues.

Beej approaches every day with remarkable focus, clarity, and purpose. While he knows how to have fun and bring positivity to the workplace, he never loses sight of the mission: helping students succeed. He manages an incredibly high workload in Academic Advising with consistency and professionalism, always striving to assist as many students as possible while making their experiences as straightforward and stress-free as he can.

In addition to his own impressive contributions, Beej generously invests time in mentoring new hires. Despite an already demanding workload, he willingly helps new Advisors learn the role and develop the skills they need to thrive. The results speak for themselves: Advisors he mentors tend to stay, grow, and become successful members of the team. His practical guidance, clear communication, and approachable style make a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to learn from him. I think what truly sets Beej apart is his gift for simplifying the complicated. He has an uncanny ability to break down complex concepts into clear, actionable steps. He doesn't overcomplicate things. He simply explains what needs to be done and how to do it. This straightforward approach not only builds confidence but also creates success for a lasting career in the fast-paced environment of the Advising department.

Beej demonstrates every day that simplicity is not about doing less. It's about creating clarity, eliminating unnecessary complexity, and helping others achieve success more effectively. His dedication to students, commitment to his colleagues, and talent for making difficult things simple make him an outstanding candidate for the Q3 APUS Achievers Award in the We Love Simplicity category.

Simply put, we need more Beejs in our lives and I am honored to nominate my friend and colleague in this category! ”

“Sam Taylor exemplifies the We Love Simplicity value through his consistent focus on finding smarter, more efficient ways to work. He has a unique ability to look at complex processes, identify unnecessary steps, and recommend practical improvements that make work easier for both employees and students. In his short time on the Conferrals team he has provided numerous suggestions on current improvements that can be made and ideas for longer term process improvements.

One of Sam's greatest strengths is his talent for simplifying complicated problems. Sam consistently looks for opportunities to organize complexity, streamline workflows, and reduce ambiguity. Whether reviewing current practices, identifying bottlenecks, or suggesting new approaches, he approaches every challenge with a mindset of continuous improvement. His recommendations often help teams accomplish more with existing resources, allowing staff to focus their energy on the work that has the greatest impact on students.

What makes Sam's contributions especially valuable is that his ideas are not simply about efficiency. They are about clarity. He helps others understand the purpose behind processes, simplifies communication, and creates solutions that are easier to navigate and maintain over time. By reducing unnecessary complexity, he enables better decision-making and more consistent outcomes across teams. Additionally, his communication skills allow him to alter communications appropriately for colleagues and students ensuring the message is clear and relevant.

Sam also demonstrates strong strategic thinking. He understands how small process improvements can contribute to larger organizational goals and consistently recommends changes that support both operational excellence and student success. His ability to articulate complex concepts in simple terms makes him a trusted collaborator and an advocate for practical, sustainable innovation.

Most importantly, Sam recognizes that simplicity is not about doing less work. It is about doing the right work in the most effective way possible. His commitment to continuous improvement, resourcefulness, and thoughtful problem-solving has helped create more efficient processes and a better experience for the university community.”

“I nominate Nyla Wolfgang for the “We Love Simplicity” award for her Quality Matters (QM) facilitation, contributions to the creation of an AI tutorial for students, and overall teaching and course design strategies. In all of these areas, Nyla consistently and strategically translates complex policies, standards, processes, and content in ways that are clear, practical, and simplified.

As a QM reviewer and trainer, Nyla helps participants in the APPQMR training identify the essential elements of the QM standards, which can be overwhelming in their detail. I took one of  her workshops and saw first-hand how she simplified the extensive content in a way that workshop participants could quickly and easily apply. As a result, she has been tapped by the Center for Teaching and Learning to develop a workshop series that presents each QM standard in simplified terms, connecting these complex standards to specific strategies faculty can use for course improvement. She makes complex QM rubrics more understandable, useful, and actionable by faculty.

In addition to simplifying content for faculty training, she has done the same for student resources that all faculty can use through the Learning Object Repository (LOR). I had the pleasure of working with Nyla this year on the creation of an LOR tutorial for students to teach responsible AI use: Navigating Gen-AI at APUS. For that tutorial, Nyla translated policy language and developed content that provided clear, actionable guidance that students can apply. By centralizing AI policies, instruction, and resources previously scattered across the university, Nyla made essential information easier to find and understand in relation to each other. This work reduces redundancies, clarifies expectations, and allows students to use AI with greater confidence

In her teaching and course design, Nyla consistently provides clear instructions, transparent expectations, focused learning activities, and easy navigation of courses. For instance, she created an FAQ section in her courses that collects for students in one place the late policy, extension guidance, strategies for accessing instructor feedback, and how to reach important  APUS services, such as advisors and tech support. One strategy she designed has now been deployed in all ENGL and LITR courses, namely the Assignment Quicklinks section of a course where students can find in one easily-accessible location all of the course assignments. These strategies have improved not only her own courses but others as well without additional cost or work.

As shown, rather than reinventing the wheel, Nyla improves existing systems in ways that help others. For her ability to simplify complex content and processes, Nyla Wolfgang deserves the “We Love Simplicity” award.”

“I would like to nominate Debra Guglielmini for exemplifying our value of We Are Focused. Debra is a driving force behind helping the Instructional Design team stay aligned on what matters most. She consistently serves as a shield against distractions and competing priorities, enabling the team to focus its time, energy, and resources on the work that has the greatest impact on student success.

One of Debra’s greatest strengths is her ability to listen carefully, understand the real challenges her team is facing, and seek solutions that address the root cause rather than simply treating symptoms. When issues arise, she takes a thoughtful and strategic approach, ensuring that effort is directed toward resolving underlying problems and creating lasting improvements. Her focus on clarity and intentional action helps the team move forward with confidence and purpose.

Debra also demonstrates remarkable judgment in separating what must be done well today from what can be improved over time. She helps the team prioritize effectively, ensuring that critical needs are addressed while maintaining a long-term perspective on continuous improvement. This balanced approach allows the team to remain productive and resilient, even when faced with competing demands and unexpected challenges.

Most importantly, Debra's decisions are guided by what is best for our students and our broader community. She consistently puts organizational goals and student success ahead of individual or departmental interests, helping the team stay connected to the mission that drives our work. Through her leadership, focus, and commitment to solving meaningful problems, Debra embodies what it means to live the value of We Are Focused and is highly deserving of this recognition.”

“Debra exemplifies “We Are Focused” through her consistent commitment to ensuring that our efforts are purposeful, effective, and centered on meaningful outcomes. She does more than teach others what needs to be done—she takes the time to explain the why behind processes and decisions. This approach encourages continued growth, deeper understanding, and mastery, empowering others to make informed decisions rather than simply follow a set of instructions.

Her leadership and attention to the Spanish translation project further demonstrate this value. Debra has remained consistently engaged in the project, identifying needs and developing clear pipelines, procedures, and workflows that are easy for others to follow. These processes help ensure that resources and efforts are directed appropriately, proper procedures are followed, and the resulting work is both accurate and effective.

Through her focus on developing people as well as improving processes, Debra helps the team prioritize what truly matters while creating sustainable practices that support high-quality outcomes"”

“I would like to nominate Debra Guglielmini for her exceptional leadership and support as an Assistant Manager. Debra consistently demonstrates a genuine commitment to the success and well-being of her team members. She is always available to provide guidance, offer timely and constructive feedback, and share valuable suggestions that help improve both the quality and effectiveness of my work.

One of Debra's greatest strengths is her ability to recognize and acknowledge accomplishments while also providing thoughtful direction for continued growth and development. She creates an environment where team members feel supported, valued, and encouraged to succeed. Whenever challenges arise, Debra is quick to offer assistance, resources, and solutions, ensuring that no one feels alone in addressing problems.

Her professionalism, dedication, and unwavering support make a meaningful difference in the workplace, and I am grateful for her leadership. Debra exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding manager and mentor, making her highly deserving of this nomination.”

“I am pleased to nominate Debra Gugliemini, Assistant Manager of Instructional Design, for the Q3 Achievers award for “We are focused.”

Throughout June, July, and August, Debra shouldered much of the responsibility for keeping our Spanish quality-control processes moving forward. During the same period, she was navigating a significant medical crisis within her family. Even under those circumstances, Debra remained remarkably focused on the work that was within our control and on the outcomes that mattered most.

She helped keep priorities clear, moved quality-control work forward, and ensured critical deliverables for CARE and the Spanish Translation initiative crossed the finish line. Rather than allowing complexity, competing demands, or circumstances outside her control to derail the work, Debra consistently identified what could be accomplished and concentrated her effort there.

Her persistence, judgment, and ability to maintain focus during an exceptionally difficult period were extraordinary. Debra exemplified what it means to evaluate what matters most, direct resources toward it, and deliver.”

“Terri recognized that faculty were spending a great deal of time treating the symptoms of students' improper use of AI rather than addressing the underlying problem. Students were being told to use AI responsibly, but they were not being given consistent, practical instruction on what responsible use actually looked like in their coursework. Rather than continuing to address these issues one assignment at a time in her courses, Terri proposed a student-facing AI literacy tutorial that would provide clear guidance before students ever submitted a major assignment. That idea became the foundation for the Navigating Gen-AI at APUS tutorial, a resource intended to give students practical instruction on discussions, brainstorming, research, revision, translation, documentation, academic integrity, and responsible AI use.

What stands out to me is that Terri focused on the root cause of the problem and on a solution that would benefit students and faculty across courses, not just within a single class or department. Instead of asking individual instructors to continue solving the same problem independently, she envisioned a scalable resource that could create a shared understanding of expectations and support student success from the start.

Terri's idea shifted our work from reactive enforcement to proactive education. By helping students understand expectations before they submit their first major assignment, the tutorial has the potential to reduce confusion, strengthen academic integrity, and create a more consistent learning experience for our students.

For identifying the underlying issue, focusing on what mattered most, and proposing a solution that can serve the broader APUS community, I am pleased to nominate Terri Poff for the We Are Focused award."”

“I nominate Terri Poff for the “We Are Focused” Achievers Award for evaluating the need for and then initiating the creation of a tutorial to teach students responsible use of AI. Terri saw that we instructors were investing significant time and energy responding to individual incidents involving students’ misuse of AI. She recognized the need to look beyond just addressing the symptoms of student misuse and sought to focus on the causes of that misuse, namely the need for students to understand responsible strategies for using AI as part of their coursework.

Instead of addressing the issue only within her own courses and assignments, Terri sought what is best for all instructors and what would have the greatest impact on student learning: a practical, student-centered AI tutorial that would teach students responsible use of AI as part of the research and writing process. Her proposal helped launch the creation of the Navigating Gen-AI at APUS tutorial, an interactive tutorial that gives students much-needed guidance on using AI for discussions, brainstorming, research, and editing and revising as well as reviews principles students can use to document their process, cite their use of AI tools, and maintain academic honesty throughout their coursework.

In collaboration with other English faculty members like myself, Terri created a tutorial that can be used by all instructors in any course as it is now launched in the Learning Object Repository (LOR). Terri understood the difference between what required attention now and what could be refined over time. As an LOR resource, the tutorial can be updated as needed while giving students and faculty a tool they can use right now.

When faced with a difficult and evolving challenge, Terri did not settle with individual fixes to specific courses or assignments. She responded in a way that benefits all students and faculty. By initiating the creation of the tutorial, Terri addressed the root cause in a way that helps students make better choices rather than waiting to be corrected. Terri focused on the source of the problem, prioritizing immediate action that could have immediate impact that could be improved upon later as needed. Therefore, Terri is deserving of the We Are Focused award.”

“I am honored to nominate Anee (Nae) Vigueras Duarte for the Q3 AMU/APU Achiever Award for “We Are Focused.”

Nae has been with the System for more than four years and consistently demonstrates what it means to be focused on our students, her teammates, and those around her. As a Senior Student Support Center Representative, she provides excellent customer service and consistently goes the extra mile to ensure our students receive high-quality support. Just as importantly, she is someone her teammates and colleagues can count on whenever help is needed.

Nae’s contributions go well beyond her routine daily responsibilities and one of the things that really stands out about her is a willingness to step up and contribute wherever she can make a difference. She is one of a handful of team members that serve as a social media moderator for the AMU/APU Facebook and Instagram pages. She regularly assists with new hire training, has led department-wide and team meetings, and serves as a backup for both the Student Accounts phone queue and the Document Services customer service phone queue and email box. Additionally, she has taken on the role of Mentor multiple times for our SSC new hires and has also participated in the Operations Peer Mentor Program and HR Mentoring programs. She brings a tremendous level of commitment to helping others grow, succeed, and feel supported.

Nae’s impact also extends to student progression and persistence. Through the support she provides to students, the knowledge she shares with her teammates, and the time she dedicates to training and mentoring others, she helps ensure that students receive consistent, knowledgeable, and timely assistance throughout their academic journey. Her ability to support other teams and equip colleagues with the tools and information they need creates a stronger support network for our students. In turn, this collaborative approach helps remove barriers, keeps students moving forward, and contributes to their continued engagement, progression, and persistence toward achieving their educational goals.

Furthermore, Nae is frequently recognized by management for all she contributes, and for good reason. She is dependable, supportive, hardworking, and genuinely invested in helping others. She consistently takes on additional responsibilities, looks for ways to help, and remains focused on providing a positive experience for both our students and her colleagues.

Nae makes a real effort to build engagement and morale within the team. She is an amazing outside-of-the-box thinker and extremely creative. She regularly comes up with fun activities that bring people together to help create a positive team environment. These may seem like small things, but they make a meaningful difference in how well-connected and engaged our team feels.

Nae is truly a well-rounded member of our team and an excellent example of what it means to be “We Are Focused.” Her dedication, willingness to step up, and commitment to students and her teammates make her very deserving of this award.”

“Joanne is truly a lifesaver for the Military Outreach Team and an invaluable asset to our organization. Her responsiveness, expertise, and commitment to student success are second to none. When we are meeting face-to-face with students in the field, we often reach out to Joanne through Microsoft Teams for assistance. Within minutes, she is responding and helping us resolve issues that could otherwise delay a student's ability to register for classes

Whether she is answering questions, resolving account issues, or guiding us through the appropriate process, Joanne's support enables students to complete their registration without unnecessary delays. Her quick response time and willingness to assist create a seamless experience for both the Military Outreach Team and the students we serve. Students are often impressed that their concerns can be addressed in real time, reinforcing their confidence in the exceptional level of service AMU provides.

Joanne's impact on student success cannot be measured. She works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that students can continue moving forward toward their educational goals, while allowing the Military Outreach Team to remain focused on serving students in the field. Her knowledge, professionalism, and dedication make our jobs significantly easier and our outreach efforts far more effective.

There are people who perform their job well, and then there are people like Joanne, whose contributions elevate the entire team. She is a trusted partner, an exceptional colleague, and someone we know we can depend on without hesitation. Joanne is truly irreplaceable, and the value she brings to the Military Outreach Team and the students we serve cannot be overstated.”

“I am pleased to nominate Sam Coulson, Academic Technology Manager, for the Q3 Achievers award for “We measure what we treasure.

Sam oversaw one of Academics’ most significant technology transitions this year: the move from Turnitin to Copyleaks across approximately 1,900 courses and five schools.

Terri's idea shifted our work from reactive enforcement to proactive education. By helping students understand expectations before they submit their first major assignment, the tutorial has the potential to reduce confusion, strengthen academic integrity, and create a more consistent learning experience for our students.

From the outset, Sam treated the transition as something that needed to be actively measured, not simply managed. He tracked progress across the entire portfolio, regularly communicated status updates, monitored our pace toward completion, and helped ensure that the work stayed on schedule. Because we always knew where we stood, we were able to identify gaps, maintain momentum, and ultimately reach full completion.

Sam’s work did not end with implementation. He has continued to help faculty and staff navigate the transition, troubleshoot challenges, and adapt to the new platform.

Large-scale change can easily become unwieldy when progress is difficult to see. Sam made the work visible, measurable, and manageable. His disciplined approach to tracking what mattered helped turn an enormous transition into a successful one, and it is a terrific example of why we measure what we treasure.”

“Juan Hernandez exemplifies the principle that we measure what we treasure. While data is essential to informed decision-making, its value depends on our ability to understand and use it effectively. Juan consistently transforms complex PowerBI reports into actionable information that helps us make better decisions. Juan's work has significantly increased our ability to leverage data in strategic planning, program review, accreditation efforts, and day-to-day operations. He consistently responds to questions with patience and clarity, creating dashboards, visualizations, and explanations that make information accessible to colleagues with varying levels of data expertise. His efforts have helped foster a culture where decisions are informed by evidence rather than assumptions. Juan work enables us to confidently engage with data. By simplifying reporting processes and demystifying BI tools, he empowers leaders across the organization to focus on outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, and measure progress toward institutional goals. He is highly deserving of this recognition.”