University announces December, January Employees of the Month
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has announced Employees of the Month for the months of December and January. These staff members have made outstanding contributions to the KU Lawrence community.
Winners of the Employee of the Month awards receive the following:
- A surprise visit from the provost or her designee
- A certificate of award
- A biography featured in KU Today
- A $750 gross monetary award.
Nominate an employee for this award by completing and submitting the online or paper Employee of the Month nomination form and returning it to HR by email or fax to 785-864-5790. Learn more about Employees of the Month.
December 2024
Name: Mike Behzadi
Title: HVAC technician, Facilities Services
Mike Behzadi has worked with HVAC systems at KU for about 15 ½ years. Behzadi performs mechanical and electrical work in the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of HVAC systems. He is routinely tasked with most repairs to the older systems on campus. Keeping older buildings on campus at comfortable temperatures during periods of extreme temperatures can be challenging, which says a lot about Behzadi and the work he is tasked with doing.
Behzadi is skilled in his role as an HVAC technician, but what sets him apart is his ability to connect with others and explain the work. He takes the time to build rapport with customers and keep them in the loop, according to his nominators. Much of the feedback that his supervisor receives on Behzadi’s work outlines his ability to communicate with his customers before, during and after repairs so they are up to date on the process. What also sets Behzadi apart is his willingness to go the extra mile to help co-workers. Behzadi takes the time to help teach his peers who are learning the HVAC trade. This is often seen in his work with other staff explaining the differences in systems and repairs on campus, especially in relation to some of the older systems that can be trickier to service and may need more service than newer systems. Behzadi strives to help anywhere he can, even reaching out across Facilities shops to help coordinate a job to completion.
Behzadi takes a great deal of pride in his work and is known to add a personal touch to ensure the needs of others on campus are met instead of just rushing to fix an issue. His nominator wrote, “Mike is a very dependable technician who is willing to take on anything given the opportunity. He reaches out to help others and provides advice to those that are still learning. He is a valuable employee, and we appreciate the effort he puts in every day.”
Name: Joe Borella
Title: Boiler technician, Facilities Services
Joe Borella has worked for the University of Kansas for two years, and his nominator has shown that Borella has made a big impact in that time. In his role, Borella performs work in the operation, maintenance and repair of steam boilers throughout the Lawrence campus, and he also responds to after-hours boiler calls. He is said to have taken the initiative to make everything he works on better. Borella has taken it upon himself to do the work to get a preventative maintenance program up and running for the boilers and has remedied many known issues during his time at KU.
Borella’s nominator said that his customer service skills were what brought him to their attention. “It does not matter who the customer is. He is doing everything he can to make sure they’re happy.”
Borella is described as meticulous and hard-working. He worked on a system that required the replacement of copper water lines and is said to have gone above and beyond to make sure that everything needed was there while providing a helping hand to his peers. He was not technically required to help, as it was not a skill specific to his title, but because it was related to the boiler systems, he stayed and provided aid until the job was complete. Borella also put together a critical spare parts list for more than 200 boilers throughout campus, then worked with the storeroom to get these stocked so that when the boilers go down, many of the parts to get them back up are on hand without waiting days to weeks for them to arrive as in the past. He spent a significant amount of time determining what parts would cross over between different boilers, working to identify identical parts that had different stock numbers due to the boilers having different model numbers, so that the department was only purchasing what was really needed.
Borella is also responsible for ensuring regular maintenance is scheduled for the boilers, rather than only when they encounter problems. His nominator said that all these actions have helped to lower after-hours calls from several per week to only a couple in total last winter.
“Joe is a great example of how Facilities should operate across the aisles,” Borella’s nominator wrote. “He always has an entertaining story to tell, and he has no problem relating to the people around him. He is always ready to lend a hand.”
January 2025
Name: Tyra Kalman
Title: Administrative associate, Jewish Studies Program
Tyra Kalman is a dedicated and compassionate professional who has become a cornerstone of the Jewish Studies Program at KU. With a deep commitment to supporting both students and colleagues, she has earned a reputation as a trusted adviser and leader. Kalman’s approachability, leadership and drive to create positive change within the academic community make her an invaluable asset.
Since joining the university, Kalman has consistently gone above and beyond in her role, particularly when it comes to supporting students. Amid rising concerns surrounding antisemitism, Kalman has become a key figure for Jewish students seeking counsel. Her empathetic nature allows her to provide comfort and guidance, and she connects students with appropriate resources both on campus and beyond. Her ability to build strong, trusted relationships with students has made her a first point of contact for those navigating difficult situations.
Kalman’s contributions extend far beyond one-on-one interactions. Her leadership and adaptability have significantly influenced the Jewish Studies Program, where she has risen to the equivalent of an assistant director. Kalman has played an instrumental role in expanding course offerings, organizing engaging events and elevating the visibility of the program. Under her guidance, the number of students enrolled in Jewish studies courses and pursuing the minor has grown substantially.
A standout team player, Kalman has fostered a warm and supportive atmosphere among colleagues. She maintains an open-door policy, encouraging dialogue and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Her leadership was especially evident when she took on the monumental task of coordinating the Jews in the Americas conference in April 2024. Kalman worked seamlessly with over 10 departments, external partners, alumni and donors, demonstrating her organizational skills and ability to make everyone involved feel integral to the project’s success.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Kalman has also taken the initiative to organize significant student events, such as those connecting Jewish professionals with students. These events provide valuable networking opportunities and career insights for students in Jewish studies, preparing them for success beyond graduation.
On a personal level, Kalman's warmth and kindness are felt by everyone who works with her. As one colleague put it, she creates a "familial atmosphere" in the office, making it a joy to collaborate and share experiences.
Kalman consistently goes the extra mile to find the resources needed to support faculty and students . Her determination is fueled by a personal connection to the history and legacy of the Jewish people, particularly through her father’s experiences as a Jewish World War II officer of the Eighth Airforce, 457th Bomb Group, who survived 18 months in a Nazi POW camp in Barth, Germany. This personal history informs Kalman’s work and deepens her passion for Jewish studies, propelling her to seek out and share valuable information to benefit others.
Name: Melissa Meyers
Title: Laboratory coordinator, Undergraduate Biology Program
Melissa Meyers has worked for KU for over 10 years. In her role, she prepares and maintains equipment and stocking supplies for the Introductory Biology Laboratory for STEM majors; oversees the safety and cleanliness of related work areas and teaching laboratories; collaborates with the director of labs, teaching assistants and other staff, interacting with a diverse student population; supervises student hourly employees hired to assist with lab preparations; aids the director in designing new or revising existing laboratory curricula; maintains the budget for the course; and assists with digital platforms and learning management systems associated with the course. In her role, she has helped enhance the learning of over 600 students every year.
Meyers plays an important role on the Undergraduate Biology lab team, making the labs run smoothly and helping the GTAs learn best practices in leading lab sections. The introductory biology laboratory that Meyers coordinates is often students’ first biology class and first lab course that they take at KU. Setting the right expectations and atmosphere for learning provides the foundation for all that the students will experience in future coursework.
One of her colleagues wrote, “Melissa has shown exceptional leadership and mentoring abilities. She makes sure each student and GTA has what they need to succeed. She is always willing to share knowledge, assist colleagues and support new team members as they adjust to the lab environment. She frequently volunteers her time in support of departmental activities. She never hesitates to talk GTAs through tough situations. I have become a better GTA from the mentorship I’ve received from such talks. Her positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond make her a joy to work with.”
Another colleague wrote, “One of the standout qualities that Melissa brings to her team is her passion for science and education. Her enthusiasm motivates everyone around her to embrace new learning opportunities. Her commitment to mentoring and training new student employees helps ensure that her lab continues to thrive and maintain its high standards.”
Meyers was nominated for Employee of the Month with 16 letters of support. She is described as a steadfast team player, and one colleague wrote, “Melissa truly embodies the spirit of excellence and service that this award represents.”