Early Bird

Congrats to our Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week winners

These exceptional faculty, staff and student employees are shining examples of dedication, innovation and excellence.

By Lindsey Coulter

January 14, 2021

Nominations continue to roll in for Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week awards, highlighting the excellent and important work happening at all levels of the University. This week, we celebrate three members of our University community who inspire students and their colleagues.

“This week’s winners inspired me with their generosity, adaptability, and their eagerness to serve students and colleagues,” said Bill Henry, Ph.D., interim provost, who selected this week’s winners. “Our campus community is certainly stronger, thanks to their contributions.”

Faculty winner – Christine Sheikh, Ph.D., affiliate faculty member, Sociology

Nominated by Jose Flores, student, who wrote:

“Dr. Christine Sheikh’s approach to teaching is warm, open, welcoming of varying viewpoints and incredibly effective. Her approach naturally encourages her students to think critically about the issues she places before us, to explore all of the possibilities and potentials within any given situation, and to allow us to discover new modes of thinking about any topic. Her sense of humor is the icing on the cake, and all of the classes I have had with her have been an absolute joy to attend.

“To her great credit, Dr. Sheikh is also extremely conscious of the fact that we are students who are trying brand-new methods of learning during a pandemic. As such, she balances her deadlines and expectations with reason, empathy and understanding. She is an exemplary professor and embodies what professors should all strive for, especially during such an unsure time that we are all trying to navigate together.”

Christine, thank you for maintaining humor, flexibility and a high level of instruction during these challenging months. It’s clear that you inspire your students and that you create spaces and opportunities for all to excel.

Staff/administrator winner – Erica Buckland Anderson, associate director of Curriculum and Catalog

Nominated by Camden Farmer, associate registrar, Transfer Evaluation, who wrote:

“Erica manages the catalog and curriculum process so efficiently. She is always on top of deadlines to ensure that the process flows smoothly. She is quick to help when it comes to finding a policy, a degree requirement or any other entry in the catalog to help explain why we do certain processes. She always answers requests with a cheerful attitude and listens fully when questions are asked. Her willingness to explore new ideas keeps her flexible and open to what can be done better.

“It is obvious in the pride she takes in her work that she cares about making higher education more navigable for MSU Denver students. I have seen her question, refine and suggest the ways that curriculum and catalog entries can be displayed so that it’s clear to the campus community. She works incredibly hard to be inclusive in her work by ensuring that all of the right voices come to the table and contribute.”

Erica, your work on this campus is so valuable. Thank you for maintaining such a positive attitude and for all the ways, big and small, you work to improve processes and student experiences. (Since we weren’t able to track down a photo of you, we shared one of Rowdy applauding your efforts!)

Student-employee winner – Chris Steele, Instructional Design support specialist

Nominated by members of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design’s Instructional Design Group, who wrote:

“Chris has been a member of our team for over two years. During this period, he has brought a good sense of humor and an incredible work ethic to his role in supporting our full-time instructional-design staff through course-development cycles. He has been an important part of the numerous projects, tutorials, videos and more that have come from our department.

“Chris is always ready and willing to complete what we may request of him with a good attitude and in a timely manner. As the instructional-design team, we are very grateful to have a student employee as dedicated to our work and our faculty as he is. Chris has worked in a number of different roles from front desk to video editor to tech support to any other random role we needed him to fill. In each of these roles, he has proven himself to remain calm under pressure, learn new skills quickly and ask for help when he needs it.

“All of these are just some of the qualities that make Chris a highly valued member of our team.”

Chris, thank you for the ways you serve MSU Denver and your fellow students. Your willingness to learn new roles and support your team however necessary is certainly worthy of applause. MSU Denver is lucky to have you as a student and as a member of the CTLD.

To nominate outstanding employees for the Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week award, please complete the form on the Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week webpage. Tell us how your nominee is making an impact through great teaching, service to students or innovation. Winners will be selected each week and profiled in the Early Bird on Thursdays. Winners will also get a shoutout on social media.