Michelle Novak of Dining Services was named Most Valuable Panther for January 2025.
In announcing the award, the Office of Human Resources said:
“Michelle joined the dining management team in 2015 and has spent the last 10 years providing a quality atmosphere for students and employees alike at Panther Dining Hall and Panther Grocery. She is the creative force behind many Campus Dining events including the Global Kitchen series, Thanksgiving lunch and the President’s Holiday Party. She coordinates with dining employees and students to transform the dining area into an elegant reception hall, a cozy family eating get together and even Paris – complete with an Eiffel tower! Michelle also used her creative talents to build a uniquely diverse student grocery store. She won the Loyal E. Horton Dining Award (Silver) from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) in June. Increased sales prove that the students love it, too.
In addition, Michelle created and launched an employee development program called Empowering Women in Culinary that focuses on the strategic development of our female culinarians on campus. Alongside digital training opportunities, EWC provides unique culinary classes to broaden skill sets including sushi rolling and the art of charcuterie led in part by other female industry leaders and adding considerable value to the new program.
Michelle’s endless energy is contagious, representing Campus Dining on the Staff Advisory committee and the NACUFS national https://news.fit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dr_wiggenhorn1-1.jpg committee and Florida Tech, specifically Campus Dining. For these reasons and more, Michelle Novak is our MVP.”
Nominations are requested for the Most Valuable Panther program, which recognizes employees who embody the university’s standards for innovation as demonstrated by their excellence and quality service. Please include specific and concrete details; give an example. How exactly does the nominee benefit the organizational unit, department or university?
Providing specific examples, numbers, facts and/or anecdotes about the candidate’s contributions will help clearly paint the picture of why the individual deserves to be recognized. Submit nominations by Feb. 20.
