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 Josie Lavender

October 28, 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 play a critical role in our University mission to provide excellence in teaching and learning,” said Eric Mason, interim chief strategy officer, University Communications and Marketing. “Thanks to the dedication and strategic innovation of these Roadrunners, our CADRE values are thriving here at MSU Denver.”

Faculty winner – Matt Makley, Ph.D., professor and chair, History

Nominated by Cory Phare, senior writer/content strategist, University Communications and Marketing, who wrote:

“As a professor and chair of the MSU Denver History Department, Matt Makley, Ph.D., is committed to helping students discover and claim the power of their own narratives, both individual and collective. Central to this, and found within his scholarship, is a reverence for the importance of place: Where we are helps shape who we are, and vice versa.

“Makley’s work on MSU Denver’s 2030 Strategic Plan reflects this dedication. His vision and critical advocacy for voices not at the table (or in the room or the building) helped refine the focus for accessible excellence, combining rigor and opportunity while sacrificing neither for a much-needed road map to an educational landscape primed for transformation. He also remains steadfast in commitment to MSU Denver’s core mission as a teaching university to meet students where they are, with the professoriate as the absolute heart of this process. As Faculty Senate president, he served as a conduit between University presidential administrations and helped amplify committee efforts such as the Wilton Flemon Postdoctoral Fellowship and ensuring intellectual-property rights for instruction of online courses.

“The work being done at the University and the task at hand – to reimagine higher education in Colorado and beyond – is daunting. If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, however, it’s that history holds the keys to unlocking the future – and fortunately, we have scholars like Matt to help show us the way forward.”

Matt, your contributions in and outside the classroom have been invaluable. Thank you for your steadfast leadership and unrelenting commitment to Roadrunners.

Staff winner – Kylie Henson, special-events coordinator, University Advancement

Nominated by Cora Potter, manager of University events and protocol, President’s Office, who wrote:

“Kylie is one of the most dedicated and talented people I know. She works tirelessly to ensure that her work is of the highest quality and is always done in a timely manner. Being an event planner has its challenges – managing expectations, working long hours – and sometimes includes ‘thankless work.’ But even when it’s 5 a.m. and she’s setting up for Welcome Back, or at 9 p.m. when she’s cleaning up from Roadrunners Who Soar, you will find Kylie smiling and listening to a funky, fun playlist on Spotify, doing her thing.

“Her positive attitude radiates. And she chooses to show up for herself and her team every day. She stays true to the University’s mission and shows admirable compassion every single day. She’s an alum herself, and her empathy shines, particularly during Commencement planning and execution. She strives to ensure that each student has a positive interaction with the University, whether it is leading up to the ceremony by answering every email and phone call that comes through (which is A LOT) or day-of at the ceremonies, when she helps students make that final walk across the stage.

“She is kind and honest, and every one of her teammates can attest to the fact that she would help anyone, without them even needing to ask. She is a true leader and continues to want to learn and excel in her position at MSU Denver every day.

“I’m beyond lucky to have her as a teammate, and so is MSU Denver.”

Kylie, thank you for sharing your expertise with the Roadrunner community and continuing to be a shining light of positivity for those around you. Your professionalism and ability to persevere through challenges are admirable. 

Student-employee winner – Garrett Deitemeyer, public-relations intern, University Communications and Marketing

Nominated by Tim Carroll, director of Media Relations, University Communications and Marketing, who wrote:

“Garrett has been a student employee with the University Communications and Marketing team since May, and in that time he has impressed our entire office with his focus, ideas and work ethic. Garrett is an enthusiastic, hardworking professional who truly embraces the opportunity to learn. Garrett has gone from observing the process to doing the work in short order. I know when I spend additional time educating him on media strategy that he will incorporate that into his tool bag at his next opportunity. When I’m not able to coordinate a media opportunity, he has risen to the challenge and has consistently produced results with dynamic challenges. Faculty members are also recognizing his effort and support. One faculty member affectionately called him ‘Little Tim,’ which doesn’t quite make sense since I’m 5-10 and Garrett is 6-1. In addition to helping get MSU Denver faculty experts into local, state and national media outlets, he does so much hard work behind the scenes and is an excellent example of Roadrunner tenacity. Without Garrett’s support and leadership, we might miss many opportunities to tell the Roadrunner story and support this great institution. I know Garrett will continue to do big things after he graduates this fall, and we are fortunate to keep him on board into the spring semester. Thank you, Garrett, for all the great qualities you bring to our team!”

Garrett, you have made quite the impression on the University Communications and Marketing team. It’s clear that your talent and ambition will take you far, and we are so grateful to be a part of your success story. Be sure to include this honor in your portfolio!

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.