Human Resources - NMU Events and Announcements

Human Resources

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual recognition program. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, January 31.

Faculty and staff are invited to recognize peers, subordinates and supervisors for the Excellence-in-Service award, Distinguished Team award or Innovation award. To learn more and submit an entry, visit the Recognition Award website.

April is Appreciation month. This year's events include:

• April 3 - Employee Appreciation Day
• April 15, 3-5pm - Faculty & Staff Recognition Celebration
• April 17 - Retiree Breakfast

Human Resources

The Northern STAR (Simple, Thoughtful Acts of Recognition) Award offers an opportunity to immediately thank and compliment an employee who contributes exemplary work and/or demonstrates a commitment to NMU's core values.

Congratulations to our Northern STAR recipients who received a STAR card at the end of 2023:

• Jon Aho
• Mark Barber
• Mike Bath
• Harger Boal
• Nathan Born
• Tricia Bush
• Anica Chesnut
• Chris Cooley
• Kash Dhanapal
• Kamryn Duffield
• Mary Erbisch
• Andrea Hammond
• Lila Islieb
• Pam Johnson
• Sarah Kuehn
• Steve LaBar
• James Levenhagen
• Mike Lozier
• Ben Luke
• Chris Mathews
• Emily Meier
• Christopher Moore
• Katrina Netzel
• Dan O'Neill
• Travis Reamer
• Lee Roecker
• Glenda Ross
• Mike Rotundo
• Lisa Sarvello
• Renee Sheen
• Theresa Smith
• John VanAbel

And congratulations to our Q4 gift card winner: John VanAbel!

Thank you to all who have received a STAR award. To learn more or to send a STAR recipient to a colleague, please visit the Northern STAR webpage.

Human Resources

The 403(b) retirement plan performance report for the 3rd quarter of 2023 is now available for viewing. The report includes industry updates, market commentary and review, plan investment review, and fund fact sheets for the 403(b) retirement plan (TIAA).  Please visit MyNMU, My Employee Benefits tile, and click on Retirement Plan Performance.

Human Resources

TIAA has released its schedule of live webinars for the months of January, February, and March.  Keep your financial goals on track with these informative live sessions and learn how you can take action for a more secure future.  

Topics include: Five steps to managing money and debt; a woman's guide to saving and investing; beginning to save for retirement; and five steps to creating your retirement income plan.  

Please click on the 1st Quarter Flyer to register and read more about each session. 

Human Resources

TIAA has released its schedule of live webinars for the month of December.  Keep your financial goals on track with these informative live sessions and learn how you can take action for a more secure future.  

Topics include: Five steps to creating your retirement income plan; your mid-career retirement check-in; five steps to setting your retirement date; and a start-to-finish guide to establishing your retirement plan.  

Please click on the December Flyer to register and read more about each session. 

Human Resources

The December issue of the Personal Best/HOPE Health newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Everyday Relaxation Guide
• Mental Health After Major Surgery
• Germs’ Favorite Hideouts
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Human Resources

The IRS has recently announced the 2024 Retirement Plan Limits.  The contribution limits for employees who participate in the voluntary 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans have increased from $22,500 to $23,000 in 2024, and the catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in these plans remains unchanged at $7,500. 

This means if you are under age 50 in 2024, the maximum amount you may contribute to your voluntary retirement plan is $23,000.  If you are age 50 or above, the maximum amount you may contribute is $30,500 ($23,000 plus $7,500 catch-up).  Employees interested in adjusting their current retirement contribution, or beginning a new salary reduction, should contact Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits and Onboarding Coordinator, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470 and request a Salary Reduction Agreement.

Human Resources

The NMU group health plan has traditionally covered vaccines under the medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Effective November 1st, vaccines will also be covered under the pharmacy plan with CVS Caremark.  Vaccine services are covered at 100% with no employee cost share. You may present either card when you are receiving a vaccination.

Questions may be directed to the HR Benefits team at x2470.

Human Resources

Wednesday, November 1, was National Stress Awareness Day. We hope that many were able to enjoy some time at the PEIF or participate in another activity that helps decrease stress. There were five lucky drawing winners, each winning a $25 gift certificate to a sports shop of their choice. Congratulations to:

• Lin Fang
• Heather Gustafson
• Kyle Hawn
• Sarah Kuehn
• Laura Sliva

Human Resources

The Northern STAR (Simple, Thoughtful Acts of Recognition) Award offers an opportunity to immediately thank and compliment an employee who contributes exemplary work and/or demonstrates a commitment to NMU's core values.

It’s been a busy semester and so many have received STAR cards! Congratulations to our most recent Northern STAR recipients:

• Jon Aho
• April Bertucci
• Harger Boal
• Julane Cappo
• Nick Chartre
• Anica Chesnut
• Lara Clisch
• Kevin Corkin
• Michele Curtis
• Jessi Dhanapal
• Denise Elizondo
• Derek Estes
• Kathy Frazier
• Tom Gillespie
• Luke Gustafson
• Cat Hardenbergh
• Kyle Hawn
• Matt Herbig
• Eric Hinchen
• Kimberly Hongisto
• Jessila Johnson
• Janet Koski
• Jessia Lampinen
• Seth Lange
• Kelly Larmour
• Angie Maki
• Emily Meier
• Tara Moore
• Megan Nowicki
• Scott Perry
• Jim Rector
• Diane Reminder
• Susan Robison
• Jeff Roo
• Michael Sauer
• Marie Schieler
• Patrick Sharkey
• Jim Sullivan
• Chelsea Sundberg
• Garrett Taylor
• Tyler Thompson
• Stephanie Zadroga-Langlois

Thank you to all who have received a STAR award. To learn more, or to send a STAR recipient to a colleague, please visit the Northern STAR webpage.