Western honors staff who go above and beyond with 2025-26 Make a Difference Annual Award
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will recognize four exceptional staff members whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on students, colleagues and the broader community. Victoria Hastings, Giulia Hayes, Chris Salvaggio and Teri Wagner will be honored as the 2025-26 Make a Difference Annual Award recipients at the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 2.
“Western is at its best because of staff who share their talent and commitment to our University,” says WMU President Russ Kavalhuna. “Our annual Make a Difference recipients go above and beyond to make the Western experience better for everyone, and I am excited to honor them for this well-deserved recognition.”
The recipients will be recognized alongside those receiving other prestigious campuswide honors: the Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Emerging Scholar and Distinguished Faculty Scholar awards. The event begins at 11 a.m. in the Fetzer Center’s Kirsch Auditorium.
Victoria Hastings
Hastings, a police sergeant in the Department of Public Safety, is known across campus for creating meaningful connections with students and colleagues while extending WMU’s reach into the surrounding community.
“Victoria always brings a positive attitude to work and represents WMU in the best possible way,” one nominator wrote. She builds “strong, long-lasting relationships with students and is someone they trust and feel comfortable with.”
As a leader and role model in public safety, Hastings regularly goes beyond normal job responsibilities to organize programs—such as self-defense workshops and the annual Shop with a Hero event—that benefit the community.
She also has helped coordinate gifts for children of Seita Scholars and organize a food drive challenge that recently collected nearly 2,000 pounds of food for Montgomery Essential Needs. As one nominator noted, “Victoria does all of this because she genuinely cares and wants to make a difference.”
Giulia Hayes
Hayes, a scholarship specialist in Student Financial Aid, plays a key role in helping students access scholarship opportunities while supporting colleges and departments throughout the University.
“In addition to managing our office’s scholarship opportunities, Giulia assists departments and colleges across campus in managing their scholarships as well,” one nominator wrote. “This means 300-plus different scholarship funds that she is ensuring are done correctly and made accessible to students.”
Hayes has developed training resources, created on-demand instructional videos, and kept stakeholders across campus informed about important updates and changes. She has also worked to make Scholarship Universe more accessible and functional for students.
Colleagues say her dedication is matched by a customer-focused approach. “Giulia provides outstanding customer service to both students and staff, always answering questions thoroughly and never making the process [feel] overwhelming,” another nominator shared.
Chris Salvaggio
Salvaggio, administrative assistant senior in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs, has been a steady source of support through years of growth and change.
“Chris has helped us through many leadership and staff transitions within our department and through the college as well,” one nominator wrote. “Chris is always willing to assist others and share her expertise and resources for new employees and current colleagues.”
Following the departure of another administrative assistant, Salvaggio shouldered much of the unit’s administrative needs throughout the academic year, earning praise from colleagues for her professionalism, adaptability and a positive attitude during a period of significant transition.
“Chris has been a wonderful colleague and maintained her composure despite an enormous amount of change and upheaval in our unit over the past 10 years, and she has done so with grace, positivity and humor,” a nominator noted. Another added, “I’ve worked with Chris for 11 years and there was never an unpleasant experience or day.”
Teri Wagner
Wagner, a custodian in Facilities Management’s Custodial Services division, is recognized not only for maintaining clean, welcoming spaces but also for the positivity and kindness she brings to campus every day.
“Teri is one of the nicest and most pleasant people I know, someone who always greets you with a smile and exudes optimism,” a nominator wrote. “Although her job is to be a custodian to keep our facilities clean and in good working order, she seems to have been placed with us in order to brighten people’s days.”
Colleagues praised Wagner’s responsiveness and attention to detail, noting an ability to anticipate needs before they arise. She has pride in her work, one nominator wrote, which includes preparing classrooms, laboratories and offices for special events and transitions.
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