Chelsey Ritner - April 2023

Dear SEA Employee Relations Committee,

With enthusiasm, I would like to nominate Chelsey Ritner, Assistant Director and CARE Manager, for USU’s staff employee of the month. Chelsey has been in her role for only 2.5 years, but her impact and leadership contributions are unrivaled.

Chelsey oversees the CARE Office, the office dedicated to working with arguably the most vulnerable students on our campus: Students of Concern. The CARE Team is looked to as consultants and interventionists when students are facing various challenges, and when students pose a threat to the campus community. Hundreds of reports are filed each year, each one needing careful review, and prompt action. It is demanding work, particularly as instances of violence on college campuses and suicide rates increase, which in turn puts our community members on even higher-alert. Chelsey, as leader of the CARE Team, is seen as the expert on campus to minimize risk, provide compassionate care, and create policies that support both students and the institution.

Unfortunately, Chelsey has been the only CARE Manager on campus for over a year. Despite the demands that have only increased with time, Chelsey remains a calming presence, a thoughtful decision-maker, and a sound source of guidance and support to those with whom she works and serves. Chelsey has what seems to me to be an unrelentless positive outlook, which is no doubt one of the reasons she is so good at her very hard job.

Chelsey is whip-smart, and leverages technology to streamline her work. She invests much of her own time to research software that can enhance the work of the CARE Office, and she quickly implements what she learns. While she in the business of working with people, those of us less technologically inclined may mistake her for a coder or computer scientist!

As just referenced, Chelsey is in the people-business, which is where some of her best skills shine. Though she often has to have difficult conversations with students, or be a “bearer of bad news,” she is still viewed by these students as an advocate and helper. This is, in part, because Chelsey is unfailingly warm and kind with anyone whom she interacts. To use her word, she is “charitable” in the ways she describes and seeks to understand others. I have witnessed Chelsey navigate uncomfortable and tense meetings with grace and compassion for those with whom she may not agree. She sees inherent worth in everyone, and therefore is unwavering in treating us all with dignity and respect.

As I sat down to write this letter, it was hard for me to choose what to highlight about Chelsey . . . I hope it is clear that there is so much to be said about her positive impact at USU, and that his nomination will serve as a small token of gratitude and praise for Chelsey.

With warm regards,

Morgan Walton