President’s Exceptional Effort Awards
The President’s Exceptional Effort Awards are presented to up to a select number of Professional or Classified employees or faculty who have demonstrated an exceptional effort in support of one or more of the three core themes of the strategic plan: Advancing Inclusive Success, Increasing Washington Impact, and/or Enhancing Academic Excellence.
Nominations for the 2026 President's Exceptional Effort Awards are now CLOSED.
Selection Criteria
Nominees must be either a permanent classified employee, a permanent professional staff employee, or faculty member that have clearly demonstrated an exceptional effort supporting the strategic plan through the following:
- Excellence of Performance: Performance that consistently throughout the year exceeds the quality that is expected, and has resulted in important and significant contributions to their work unit and the University.
- Personal Interaction: Performance that demonstrates exceptional ability and willingness to work positively and effectively with others.
- Initiative and Creativity: Performance that demonstrates an innovative approach to the job and a willingness to manage changes in work priorities, procedures, and organization.
- Outstanding Achievement: Performance that has resulted in important and significant contributions to the work unit and thus has furthered Western`s mission and strategic goals.
Award/Recognition
Award Administration
Nomination Process
The President's Cabinet will select the final award recipients.
The nomination process for the 2026 award is now CLOSED. Thank you to those that took the time to nominate a deserving colleague!
2026
Sura Alqudah - Engineering & Design Department
Sura Khaled Alqudah is chair of the Engineering & Design Department at Western Washington University, where she has provided steady and thoughtful leadership during a period of transition. She is recognized for fostering a culture of professionalism, transparency, and openness, while strengthening connections among faculty, staff, and students.
Colleagues consistently note her ability to listen, bring people together, and build a sense of shared purpose. Her leadership emphasizes clear communication, respect for shared governance, and a commitment to inclusive and collaborative decision-making. She is known for approaching complex challenges with care, empathy, and strong attention to process and policy.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Alqudah contributes through her excellent teaching and research, strategic planning, and efforts to guide the department toward a cohesive and forward-looking vision. Her work has helped rebuild community, restore trust, and create momentum for continued growth.
Alqudah is widely recognized for her ability to bring people together, elevate those around her, and lead with integrity and purpose. Her contributions reflect a sustained commitment to advancing academic excellence, fostering inclusive success, and strengthening the impact of engineering education in Washington and beyond.
Nicole Ebersole - University Advancement
Nicole Ebersole joined Western in June 2017. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo, she accepted a position at Western and relocated from the Midwest. She began her career here as the director of Marketing and Special Events for Athletics. After nearly five successful years in that role, she transitioned into her current position as director of Donor Relations with University Advancement.
In her current role, Nicole sets the strategic direction for how Western engages, stewards, and cultivates relationships while expressing gratitude to the community of supporters who invest in the university’s success. Over the past 11 years, she has managed and mentored teams of more than 20 students, supporting them as they earn their degrees and prepare for their professional careers. She currently oversees the WWU Student Ambassador team.
Ebersole is passionate about growth, sharing impact, and fostering collaboration. She values working alongside supportive and inspiring colleagues within University Advancement and across Western. Since joining the university, her goal has been to build meaningful community and strong relationships both on and off campus, and she is deeply grateful to all who have been part of that journey.
John Fauver - Environmental Health & Safety
John Fauver’s connection to Western Washington University began as a student, where he earned a B.S. in chemistry. After building a 29-year career leading environmental health and safety programs across research institutions, healthcare systems, and higher education, Fauver returned to Western in 2023 as director of the Environmental Health and Safety Department, where his professional career first began.
Fauver is recognized for building high performing teams, strengthening safety culture, and aligning compliance and sustainability efforts with institutional values. This helps organizations not only meet regulatory expectations but thrive because of them.
Known for his calm demeanor, approachability, enthusiasm, and steady leadership, Fauver consistently prioritizes teamwork, professional development, and morale, even amid staffing and operational challenges. His forward-thinking mindset, humility, and commitment to continuous improvement have measurably strengthened WWU’s safety culture and institutional resilience, exemplifying the university’s values in action. This dedication is further reflected in his most recent acceptance into the Doctor of Education program at Western Washington University.
Rodrigo Gonzalez-Juarez - Multicultural Student Services
Rodrigo Gonzalez-Juarez (he/him) is the inaugural Latine Student Retention specialist in the Office of Multicultural Student Services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from Sacramento State University and his master’s in social work from California State University, Long Beach. Since starting at Western in April 2024, Gonzalez-Juarez has led the development of La Plaza, WWU’s first student center dedicated to centering Latine students. What began with focus groups, branding efforts, no space, and a temporary space - built through trust and collaboration with students at every step - has grown into a permanent home in Viking Union 507 and a vibrant hub for community, culture, and student support. In addition to launching La Plaza, Gonzalez-Juarez initiated La Bienvenida, an annual bilingual welcome event for incoming students and their families. He also serves on the Latino Advocacy and Leadership Association (LALA) Steering Committee, co-chaired the 2026 Latinos in Action Conference, leads the quarterly Latine Support Network meetings, leads WWU’s Latine Heritage Month celebrations, and advises multiple Ethnic Student Center organizations. Gonzalez-Juarez is passionate about building community-centered spaces and fostering collaboration to support students with marginalized identities. His work is informed by students and Latine cultural values that emphasize the importance of family, community, and communal success.
Daniel Miller - Facilities Development & Operations
Dan Miller began working at Western in 2007. Seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth, Miller started his career at WWU as a roofer and moved to FDO’s Academic Maintenance team when the opportunity arose in 2011.
During Miller’s time as an Academic Maintenance mechanic, he quickly became an integral member of that shop, helping other mechanics and trades with projects across campus. Miller oversaw Wilson Library, Haggard Hall, Performing Arts Center, and Fisher Fountain.
Miller’s tenure as an Academic Maintenance mechanic transitioned in 2021 when a leadership opportunity became available in FDO, and Miller became the shop supervisor for Academic Maintenance.
Miller is well respected across Western’s campus and in FDO. His leadership, institutional knowledge, and personal skills have led FDO through many projects, challenges, and changes in management.
Miller is accepting this award on behalf of all FDO employees and campus partners whose work keeps our university running.
As one nominator shared, “Your leadership is evident through the care you demonstrate for the campus community. You look for solutions and ways to get to ‘Yes’ when issues arise. Thank you for your professionalism and advocacy for the needs of the faculty, staff and students.”
Brian Ross - Facilities Development & Operations
Brian Ross, director of Capital Budget and Public Works Procurement, has been at Western since 2017. During his tenure, he has worked collaboratively with the President’s Cabinet, the director of Government Relations, Washington State Office of Financial Management, and legislative analysts on the university’s capital requests. With his support, Western has secured approximately a quarter of a billion dollars in state capital appropriations, funding projects such as the Interdisciplinary Science Building, Kaiser Borsari Hall, the Student Development and Success Center, the Heating Conversion Project, and several smaller projects that preserve and improve Western’s existing assets.
On the procurement side, Ross has streamlined public works bidding by utilizing electronic tools and small works roster and modifying contract documents. Ross also worked with the Facility Development team to execute progressive design-build contracts, a first at Western.
He has also enhanced business practices with the use of Trimble Unity Construct, helping ensure procurement and capital expenditure transactions are audit-proof. Ross went through two state-run audits, one on expenditures and the other on public works procurement, with both resulting in no findings.
Glen Tobosa - Woodring College of Education
Glen Tobosa, operations manager for the Woodring College of Education, is an exceptional leader whose work has strengthened the college’s operations, culture and impact. As noted, “Glen always puts forth maximum effort to support students, staff, faculty and community partners,” and his contributions consistently advance Western’s mission. An MBA alumnus of Western, Tobosa joined the university in 2018, bringing more than a decade of operations leadership experience from the private sector.
He plays a vital role in expanding inclusive access by supporting complex state funded programs serving paraprofessionals and students from underrepresented backgrounds. Tobosa guides faculty through grant development, funding processes, and operating practices across four departments.
During recent budget challenges, he has been central to helping the college navigate financial pathways. He leads transparent budget reviews, supports department chairs, and fosters collaborative problem solving. One leader shared that he delivers difficult news “with calmness and without causing anxiety or distress,” while helping teams find creative solutions.
Tobosa also enhances academic excellence by supporting professional development, securing funding for student and faculty opportunities, and organizing events such as Woodring’s Education Career Fair when needs arise.
Tobosa’s expertise, dedication, and collegial leadership make him profoundly deserving of the President’s Exceptional Effort Award.
Past Awardees
8 awardee(s) for this year
2025 Awardees
Amy Salinas Westmoreland - Multicultural Student Services
Amy Salinas Westmoreland serves as the inaugural director of Multicultural Student Services, where she leads efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive campus environment. In this role, she oversees several vital centers, including the Ethnic Student Center, the Blue Resource Center, the Black Student Coalition, and La Plaza—the university’s new Latine Student Center. Amy is dedicated to empowering students from diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds.
She holds a Master of Education from Pennsylvania State University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Amy has consistently advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Before joining Western, she served as director of Assessment at Penn State’s Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, where she helped launch the university’s first DEI climate survey. She also previously worked at UW-Madison as assistant director of Social Justice Programs, facilitating impactful workshops and events.
Amy is a passionate advocate for social justice, building strong campus and community partnerships to ensure all students feel seen and supported. She regularly leads trainings on topics such as power, privilege and oppression, fostering a campus culture where every student can thrive.
Axel Cichocki - Disability Access Center
Axel Cichocki (he/they) is an Access Manager for Neurodiversity Inclusion at the Disability Access Center. In this role, he facilitates disability-related accommodations through an interactive process, supervises the Disability Outreach Center, a disability culture center, and its student employees, and assists in coordinating neurodiversity inclusion and accessibility initiatives across campus.
Within his first year in this role, Axel’s exceptional communications, interpersonal and leadership skills have produced a significant number of accomplishments. He has launched programming including DisOrientation, a part of Western Welcome, Disability Action Month in October, Autism and Neurodivergence Celebration Month in April, DisCo (Disability Community) Celebration of Graduates and Awards Ceremony, and Disability Pride Month in July. He helped launch and co-coordinate the Neurodiversity Inclusion Collaborative, a cross-university initiative and working group made up of students, staff, and faculty working to address systemic barriers to access and inclusion for neurodivergent people on campus, and the Disability Employee Resource Group, a resource group for disabled staff, faculty, and student employees and allies. With a student utilizing the Shared Equity Leadership model, Axel co-developed a Disabled Peer Mentorship Program to support newly self-identified, and recently disabled first-year, transfer, and graduate students by partnering them with an upper-level disabled student for academic, social, and professional mentorship.
Caitlyn Daniels - University Marketing
Caitlyn Daniels is a proud WWU Communication Studies alum who started working at Western shortly after graduation as a Communications Consultant in University Residences. After a year, she moved to University Communications as Western’s Social Media Coordinator, and was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Digital Engagement Strategy in University Marketing. In this role, she oversees both organic and paid digital media strategy, and has made WWU’s social media a vital tool for inclusivity and student engagement, ensuring that Western’s digital spaces reflect the diverse voices, experiences, and achievements of its community. With a monthly reach of over 3 million users, many of them previously unconnected to WWU, her work ensures that stories of student success, equity initiatives, and underrepresented voices are not just told but amplified on a larger scale. She strategically builds platforms that foster participation, highlight diverse perspectives, and make all students feel connected to WWU. Through real-time engagement, student-driven campaigns, and thoughtful representation, she has turned WWU’s social media into a dynamic, welcoming space where students feel seen and valued. WWU now has the highest social media engagement rates (based on relative audience size) of any public university in Washington, directly increasing the institution’s visibility and influence.
Christina Van Wingerden - Human Services Program
Christina Van Wingerden began her journey at Western Washington University as an office assistant in the Viking Union, later serving in a variety of classified staff roles. Through WWU’s employee fee waiver program, she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2011 and a master’s degree from the Woodring College of Education in 2014. That same year, she was honored to serve as Woodring’s student commencement speaker.
Her lived experience as a full-time employee and student shaped her deep commitment to access, equity, and student success. Christina now serves as academic program director, field studies coordinator, and instructor for the Human Services programs in Woodring, where she supports students’ academic, field, and professional development.
She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and Learning Design from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, with a research focus on the sense of belonging in higher education. Christina is currently engaged in collaborative research with the University of Victoria, exploring belonging and inclusion among students and faculty in academic and professional spaces.
Her contributions have been recognized with WWU’s Outstanding Classified Staff Award and the Equity Forum Community Inclusion Award. Christina remains inspired by students, colleagues, and the WWU community, and is committed to giving back by empowering others on their educational journey.
Deborah Frost - Enterprise Application Services
Deborah Frost brings nearly 40 years of WWU experience to her role as senior project manager in the Project Management Office. Having started at Western as an undergraduate student and working in a variety of offices as a student and then as a new professional, she gained invaluable insight into numerous departments, offices, and systems at WWU. She currently brings her collaborative spirit, organizational and analytical skills, and a love of working with people to solve problems and meet challenges to her role as a project manager.
Much of her career has been in Student Affairs, including 24 years in IT with University Residences. As the assistant director for Information Technology, Deborah designed and brought life to the ResTek program and the Western Card office.
Deborah successfully integrates her education and work. Principles and concepts from her self-designed B.A., “Language Learning from a Cross-Cultural Approach,” with a minor in Japanese (WWU, 1991) and M.S. in Information Management (University of Washington, 2015) inform every single project she leads, with overarching goals of meeting users’ needs, while increasing accessibility, reliability, and ease of use with innovative strategies and implementation.
As Enterprise Application Services senior project manager, Deborah has led a variety of projects from enterprise-wide to cross departmental.
Katy Potts - University Police
Katy Potts, assistant vice president for Security and Chief of Police, came to Western in January 2023. Her law enforcement career started in 2000 in her hometown of Elgin, Illinois, where she served in various units and concluded her tenure as a lieutenant after two decades of dedicated service. Katy continued her law enforcement career at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia, before joining Western. Throughout her 25-year career, her approach to policing has consistently centered around fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration with the community she serves.
By collaborating and actively engaging with students, faculty, and staff who have selected WWU as their educational and professional home, Katy finds purpose and fulfillment in her law enforcement career.
In her current role, Katy leads with a focus on building relationships, embracing transparency, and prioritizing the needs of the diverse WWU community. She views her position as an opportunity to ensure that every individual on campus can feel safe while they learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that embodies the values of equity, compassion, and partnership.
Meagan Bryson - Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center
Meagan Bryson’s relationship with Western began as a student, earning a B.A. in Human Services and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration. After several years working in the two-year college system, Meagan returned to Western in 2014 as assistant director of the former Academic Advising Center.
In fall 2023, Meagan became the director of the new Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center, where she helped bring together the strengths of Academic Advising and Student Outreach Services. Meagan and her team have focused on building a welcoming, student-centered environment, leveraging technology like Navigate360, and prioritizing ADEI professional development including strengthening shared equity leadership practices.
Meagan consistently keeps students at the forefront of her work, prioritizing student retention, access, and success. She is known for her honesty, strong work ethic, and collaborative leadership, creating connections across departments to better support both students and advisors.
As one nominator shared, “Meagan offers a human-first approach that invites all who are around her, in. Watching Meagan show up each day and tirelessly advocate for and support her team and students inspires me to try to bring my best each day.”
Monica Jackson - Risk, Ethics, Safety, & Resilience
Monica Jackson serves as Western’s first full-time director of Emergency Management & Business Continuity, bringing over 20 years of first responder and fire service experience and 13 years of leadership in emergency management.
Since joining WWU in 2023, Monica has significantly advanced campus safety and resilience. She leads the Emergency Management Committee, spearheaded the development and launch of the Western Safe mobile app with University Communications, and partnered with Facilities Development & Operations and Transportation Services to formalize the university’s collective snow response. She has designed and facilitated numerous tabletop exercises, drills, and trainings across the university community, while also supporting emergency planning for major events such as Fall Move-In and Commencement. Monica has strengthened WWU’s response framework by reinforcing ICS-based incident management practices.
Her partnerships with city and county partners, including emergency management agencies, have expanded WWU’s regional resilience. Recognized as a trusted advisor by university leadership, Monica played a key role in supporting several high-profile student-led expressive activities in 2024, providing sound judgment and expert guidance. Her knowledge, communication skills, humility, and approachability have improved WWU’s ability to respond to and recover from emergent events, inspiring a more engaged and resilient campus community.