Moxley, Muskin named exemplary MechSE staff in 2018

Two of MechSE’s outstanding staff were announced as the 2018 winners of the MechSE Staff Award for Exemplary Service.

Paula Moxley, Administrative Aide in the Office of the Department Head, and Joe Muskin, Education Coordinator, were each nominated by their MechSE colleagues for the honor.

Moxley started working at the university in 1988 and joined MechSE in May 2014. She has worked in a wide variety of units across campus, including Housing, University Development Information Systems, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, and Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

“During this past year, when we had some vacant positions, Paula stepped up in ways I had not foreseen. I thought she was already operating at 110 percent. She was constantly helping me in ways that kept me on track—to get critical tasks done, meet critical deadlines, and meet responsibilities that require a lot of judgement and care. However, somehow she stepped up to 150 percent, in a really heroic way. This office couldn’t have survived without Paula. Her professionalism and dedication were just amazing,” said Professor Tony Jacobi, MechSE Department Head. 

Muskin joined MechSE in 2006. As the Education Coordinator for MechSE and the Center for Power Optimization of Electro-Thermal Systems (POETS), he trains educators on inquiry-based science and engineering teaching methods, helps coordinate MechSE’s summer camps, writes articles, speaks at conferences, sets up research opportunities for students and teachers, and helps MechSE professors and student groups with STEM-based activities and outreach with local youth, from kindergarten through high school. Muskin’s outreach efforts have impacted thousands of school children and teachers in the local community and around the state.

“Joe’s selection as an awardee is especially important and gratifying, because of the visibility and the outreach efforts that he leads, and the impact he has on young people. It’s simply phenomenal. His contribution to MechSE really leverages our impact, and also helps feed young people into our program. They’re energized by their experience with him and want to continue on,” said Jacobi.

Moxley and Muskin were honored at the MechSE Awards Banquet in March.