By Mike Greife,
May 26, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – Two members of the University of Central Missouri staff were recognized
for their dedication and commitment to service at the university’s annual Staff Breakfast
April 13.
Barbara Mayfield, director of accessibility services and ADA/504 coordinator for the
university, received the J. P. Mees Outstanding Professional Staff Award, and Colette
Tilden, office professional for the Department of Theatre and Dance, received the
Outstanding Support Staff Award.
Mayfield has served in her current post at UCM for 21 years. She began her career
operating a preschool and daycare center in Los Alamos, N.M. before completing a bachelor’s
degree in elementary education and master’s degree in special education at the University
of Kansas. She taught in the Olathe, Kan., schools, working in early childhood special
education, elementary education and secondary behavior disorders.
After earning her law degree from the University of Kansas and practicing law, she
merged her two careers by joining UCM to lead the Office of Accessibility Services.
She was instrumental as a member of the grant writing team in the development and
growth of the THRIVE program at UCM.
Tilden has worked in a support staff position for UCM for 35 years, serving as the
office professional for the Department of Theatre and Dance since 1983. She serves
as the primary contact for community members, prospective students and alumni, as
well as coordinating the daily operation of the department office and providing support
for department faculty and students.
In addition to her duties as office professional, she also supervises the operation
of the theatre box office and coordinates the department’s season ticket campaign
and all promotion materials for performances. She also handles all touring arrangements
for the summer children’s theatre production.
The J. P. Mees Outstanding Professional Staff Award honors the legacy of the late
John Paul Mees, who died in 2000 while serving as vice president of planning and policy/executive
assistant to the president at UCM.
The Outstanding Support Staff Award is presented annually to recognize the dedication
and outstanding service of a member of the university support staff, based upon nominations
by peers.
