November 09, 2009

RSS honors student employees Fitts, Powley

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Michael Fitts and Kaela Powley are the newest winners of the Student Employee of the Month honors for Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Recreational Sports and Services (RSS).

Fitts, of Marion, is a supervisor of facilities. A junior majoring in kinesiology/exercise science, he has worked for RSS since the summer of 2007. The son of David and Cheri Fitts, Michael plans to complete his degree in kinesiology with a minor in administration of justice and then obtain employment in the physical therapy field.

“In his second year as a Student Recreation Center building supervisor, Michael has truly embraced and excelled in his leadership position. He has a close relationship with the professional staff, which permits a steady flow of information between the students and staff. His professionalism while on duty sets the bar for other employees to follow,” said his supervisor, Dustin Soderman, a graduate assistant in facilities for RSS.

Powley, of Chester, is a senior elementary education major. She’s a five-year employee of RSS and works in customer and employee services. The daughter of Rick and Lynn Powley, she plans to graduate with an elementary education degree and obtain a teaching position in Illinois or Missouri.

“Kaela’s been here for several years and she’s functioned in almost every capacity in our administrative office, which makes her invaluable. We can ask her to step into almost any position and she can and do it well. She is always very pleasant, a very positive person. She makes sure we see the best in every situation and person and she really keeps morale up,” said Laurie Maggos, business manager at RSS.

The RSS employee of the month awards recognize student employees for outstanding effort and service.

Michael Fitts

Michael Fitts Download Photo Here

Kaela Powley

Kaela Powley Download Photo Here