Team Highlight: Faculty, Staff and Student Worker Services

With the start of the new academic year, our faculty, staff and students require additional HR support for onboarding, student employment and open enrollment. As the primary point of contact for HR services, the Faculty and Staff Services and Student Worker Services teams are on the front lines, triaging incoming calls, support tickets and walk-in appointments to ensure timely assistance and support.

Student Worker Services provides: 

• Onboarding: Guides students through Workday onboarding tasks, tax form completion and direct deposit or pay card setup.
• Eligibility and verification: Manages federal Form I-9 employment eligibility verification and E-Verify processes for domestic and international student employees.
• ID and profile resolution: Assists students who are missing Social Security information during the hiring process by issuing temporary identification tracking and coordinating profile updates.
• Employment period management: Monitors academic year and summer employment dates and supports administrative transitions related to student positions.
• Payroll and employment records: Maintains student employment records and coordinates payroll setup to help ensure accurate and timely processing.

Faculty and Staff Services provides: 

• Onboarding sessions: Facilitates weekly sessions for new and rehired faculty and staff members to provide information on time-sensitive onboarding tasks, parking and transportation, and payroll and benefits.
• Benefits and payroll support: Assists with health and welfare benefits, retirement contributions through TIAA, tuition remission and assistance programs, payroll inquiries and tax forms.
• HR transactions and records: Processes employment-related transactions, including new hire onboarding, personal and job data updates, direct deposit changes and employee separations.
• Employee relations and guidance: Connects employees and managers with resources and support related to workplace concerns, conflict resolution, performance management and overall workplace experience.

Meet the Teams

Student worker services

Kameico Robison, HR services manager

• What's the proudest moment of your career? One of the things of which I'm most proud is staying true to myself and doing what's right, not just what's easy. Having served in various HR roles across the university, I've always valued building strong partnerships, collaborating with others and being approachable. Knowing that colleagues see me as someone they can trust and work with is one of my greatest professional accomplishments.
• Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? I met Snoop Dogg. It was a pretty cool and an unforgettable experience!

Marlo Dothard, HR services specialist I

• What's your favorite TV show? "Perry Mason." The way Perry Mason carries himself in the courtroom really draws me to the show. When culprits take the witness stand, they believe they have gotten away with it, but he catches them off guard during a defining moment to ensure justice is served.
• Do you have a hobby? My main hobby is crocheting afghans. I also enjoy reading a wide range of books, particularly drama, action/adventure, romance, suspense/thrillers and professional development. I am currently reading "Overcoming Bias: Building Authentic Relationships Across Differences" by Tiffany Jana and Matthew Freeman. The authors use vivid stories, exercises and activities to help readers reflect on their personal experiences and better understand how hidden biases are formed.

Megan Gearhart, HR services specialist I

• How did you end up in your current job? My career path has been a bit twisty. My plan when I started college was to become a dietitian. I changed my major in the fall term of my junior year to hospitality management. After working for 12 years in the hospitality industry, I was burned out, so I worked with a career coach and found a new way to utilize my skills.
• What do you consider to be must-see TV? Hallmark Channel movies are my favorite, especially the holiday-themed shows. I never get tired of them even though they can be predictable. When a movie or series on Hallmark Channel is based on a book, I will read it before watching the show.

Vanessa Simplicio, HR services specialist II

• What's the craziest/bravest/most unusual thing you've ever done? The craziest and bravest thing was leaving my home country, Brazil, and moving to the U.S. without being able to speak a word of English! I came here to work with an amazing American family and for a while my best friend was the Google Translate app. The transition to living in America was scary, but it was also one of the most life-changing things I've ever done.
• What's your favorite vacation spot? The beach. I love relaxing by the ocean, enjoying the sunshine, recharging with family and friends, and enjoying fresh seafood in restaurants.

The Faculty and Staff Services team (from left): Jaimie Schoyer, Nadine Hobeck, Rachel Clement and an image of Madz Rushlau (who was unable to attend the photo session). Not pictured: Troy Florian.

Faculty and Staff Services

Nadine Hobeck, HR services manager

• What's the proudest moment of your career? It was when I became a manager and got the opportunity to help my team grow. What makes me most proud isn't just what we accomplish together, but seeing my team members gain confidence, take on new challenges and grow in their roles. I love being able to support them, recognize their strengths, and give them opportunities to take ownership and shine. Watching people grow both professionally and personally — and knowing I've been able to play a part in that journey — is incredibly rewarding. For me, being a manager is about creating a supportive environment where people feel valued, encouraged and empowered to succeed.
• What's your favorite vacation spot? Nothing beats being at the beach with my family, soaking up the sun, enjoying good food and taking a break from the usual day-to-day routine. I love having the chance to unplug, slow down and just enjoy being together. A beautiful sunset, sandy toes and nowhere we need to be are the ingredients for a perfect vacation!

Rachel Clement, HR services specialist III

• Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? Unfortunately, no — still waiting! My mom still tells the story about the time she met Loni Anderson on an airplane decades ago. So whenever someone asks if I've ever met anyone famous, I just tell her story instead!
• What's your best CMU workday life hack? Just do something! When you're feeling overwhelmed, take one small step and keep moving. Don't let it paralyze you — movement leads to more movement! And, of course, don't underestimate the power of laughter, friendships and fantastic teammates.

Madz Rushlau, HR services specialist III

• What's the best work advice you've received? During a supervisor awareness training session, someone said managers should coach their staff by being "curious, not furious" — when faced with conflict, pause and ask why it's happening to find a lasting solution. That stuck with me. It is an imperative mindset for not only managers, but for everyone in Human Resources. We should have a compassionate approach when assisting colleagues, students and faculty. Why be upset with someone who needs our support?
• Do you agree with Humphrey Bogart's notion that "a hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz?" I only partly agree with Bogey, as I think what makes a hot dog at the ballpark so great is the company and atmosphere. I love going to PNC Park with my friends, especially when it's dollar dog night! However, if I can take the same people to the Ritz for phenomenal filet mignon, then I'm doing that every time.

Jaime Schoyer, HR services specialist II

• What's in your Netflix queue? My current streaming queue consists of "Frasier" and "Below Deck." I am also always tuning in to the latest Netflix true-crime docuseries.
• Do you have a hobby? I love cooking, cycling and enjoying the friendly competition of a card game around the dining room table.

Troy Florian, HR services specialist II

• What would you bring along if you were going to spend the next two years orbiting the Earth in a space station? I would bring my partner; the albums "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift and "Raised on Radio" by Journey; and the books "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "The Hobbit." These are some of my favorite things of all time and I would need to be engaged on such a long trip.
• What's your favorite podcast? "Today, Explained" from the Vox Media Podcast Network. Each episode takes a deep dive into an important news story or cultural topic and includes interviews with journalists, academics and policymakers.