Steffensen named August’s Civil Service Employee of the Month

Kelly Steffensen, secretary for the recreation and fitness team at the Miller Wellness Center, has been named South Dakota State University’s Civil Service Employee of the Month for August. 

She will be honored at a reception held from 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, in the Miller Wellness Center conference room. 

Steffensen has been with the wellness center for more than three years, coming on board in June 2021. As the front-of-house representative for the center’s administrative offices, she interacts with current and prospective members daily, answering questions about services and programs, addressing concerns and handling new and renewed memberships. She also assists those who utilize health insurance to pay for memberships, handles departmental deposits, conducts onboarding sessions with new employees and much more. 

Steffensen’s colleagues all praised her work ethic, positive attitude and dedication. 

Chad Vossekuil, assistant director of operations at the Miller Wellness Center, said Steffensen’s position requires that she understands everything the center offers. 

“She utilizes her excellent communication and customer service skills to ensure folks leave with all their questions answered. If she happens to not know the answer, she will ask the program area coordinator and follow up with that member,” Vossekuil said. 

“Since Kelly was hired, her position has evolved greatly to meet the needs of the department. Each time, she has been more than willing to adapt, take on additional tasks or pivot her focus,” he added. “She is supportive of everything we do, is unafraid to speak up, ask questions and provide insight from her point of view, and brings the entire office together.” 

Brian Lankow, communications and outreach coordinator for the center, said Steffensen’s hard work benefits everyone around her. 

“She greets everyone with an infectious smile and upbeat attitude. … Kelly brings a level of customer service to her role that is unmatched,” Lankow said. 

“(The way she handles) her responsibilities goes above and beyond on a day-to-day basis and makes our jobs much easier. I can’t express my gratitude and appreciation enough for the number of times she has willingly provided me with support and the proper resources to perform my job effectively and at a high level. She strives to grow every day in her role and as a colleague and is an absolute joy to have in the office,” Lankow added. 

Kevin Miller, member services coordinator, called Steffensen a “jack of all trades who assists her colleagues in multiple different program areas, making her an incredibly valuable asset to our team.” 

“Kelly brings a positive attitude to work each day, and people naturally gravitate toward her. Her ability to be personable and approachable has served her well, whether she is talking with members, students or her fellow colleagues. Kelly is an excellent role model, and we are lucky to have her,” he added. “Kelly is the heart and soul of our team here at the Miller Wellness Center.” 

Steffensen has called Brookings home for more than 30 years, with her husband, Tom, and three daughters, Cierra, Allie and Molly. She enjoys spending time at their cabin on Big Stone Lake, fishing, riding bike, teaching group fitness classes at the wellness center and traveling with family and friends. 

She said she is grateful for the Civil Service Employee of the Month honor. 

“I’m so thankful for such a wonderful team to work with,” Steffensen said. “It’s easy to come to work when you enjoy the people you work with, the work you do, and the interactions and relationships I have built with students and other members of the Miller Wellness Center.” 

All SDSU Employee of the Month selections are determined through a nomination process by the Civil Service Advisory Council. Each civil service employee of the month receives an appreciation monetary gift from the F.O. Butler Foundation. The trustees of the foundation recognize the importance of civil service employees and take this opportunity to thank them for their exemplary service.