Paul Klimack - May 2023

Paul Klimack, in my opinion, is completely deserving of being recognized as SEA Employee of the Month for the following reasons:

1. His productivity and quality of work is second-to-none. For two straight semesters he has ensured a 100% student-veteran certification rating with USU and the Veterans Administration.
2. He has demonstrated creativity and innovation by recommending several changes to our VRO website that were implemented for greater functionality and enhanced student experience. Additionally, his creative solution for more accurate student-veteran financial oversight was accepted and implemented between the VRO and the Bursar’s Office.
3. Paul is 100% dependable and reliable. Since I’ve been the VRO Director he has never been late to work and has never missed a VA-mandated certification or project deadline.
4. His knowledge and expertise regarding USU’s management of the VA GI Bill Educational Benefits Program is top tier. He personally trained 7 of our primary staff on GI Bill certifications over the last 8 months receiving accolades from the VA Education Liaison Representative (ELR).
5. Paul has an innate ability to get along with others – students, faculty, and staff. Nearly 40% of all our Qualtrics feedback are positive comments about Paul, to include:
   1. “Paul helped me today and answered all my questions”
   2. “Paul was a ton of help”
   3. “Paul Klimack is very helpful and I’m thankful to have him here”
   4. “Klimack rocks!!! Great help and support”
   5. “Paul is great!”
6. He consistently goes the extra mile without being asked. Learning that some of our student veterans have early morning classes, Paul took it upon himself to arrive at the office by 7:30am (30 min prior to rest of the office) to make a fresh pot of coffee for student-veterans to enjoy prior to class.
7. Paul has made the biggest contributions toward the VRO achieving its goals, being personally recognized by the VP for Student Affairs. His contributions include:
   1. Successfully preparing the VRO for a VA Audit, which we passed
   2. Single-handedly achieving 100% certification rating for Fall semester when the office was extremely under-staffed at only 25%
   3. Helping plan and execute a hugely successful Veterans Day celebration for the entirety of the USU campus
8. Paul’s attitude has been, and remains, infectiously positive and optimistic. He is a pleasure to work with and is a tremendous asset to the VRO and the entire Student Affairs Division.

Sincerely,

Andy R. Allen

Director, Veterans Resource Office (VRO)