Danny Bittker
Surprisesdon't happen too often at the Resource Center for Persons withDisabilities. But last month's MSU Outstanding Supervisor Award event for Director Michael Hudson was certainly a surprise for him. \I walked in the room and there's musicplaying and people clapping," he said. What had been under wrap for weeks was announced with excitement andcongratulations: Michael had been awarded the MSU Outstanding Supervisor Award bythe Family Resource Center. The FRCaccepts nominations each year to draw attention to MSU supervisors who arehighly regarded by their employees for their consistent support of theirwork/life needs of their employees.
TheRCPD staff compiled a nomination of a truly deserving supervisor. Michael's work with his employees has createda family atmosphere where "Team RCPD can excel at what we are charged to do:maximize ability and opportunity for persons with disabilities," John Pedraza,the Psychiatric Disabilities specialist said. "Without Mike's leadership and support for his staff, we would not havehad the ‘esprit de corps' that truly exists within the RCPD," hecontinued. Karen Calhoun, a Real-TimeCaptioner for the office says that "Michael has had a clear vision of ourmission and discusses with us how we will meet our goals. He does not leave us wondering everyday as towhat is going to happen next," she said.
Michael'sstaff at the RCPD benefit exponentially from his leadership. Valerie Nilson, an RCPD Learning DisabilitiesSpecialist and the organizer of Michael's nomination said: "Michaelcontinuously promotes recognition of our efforts through private and publicpraise which supports a heightened sense of pride in our work. His public praise of us [however] should really bedirected toward his good managerial skills," she said. "Michael has promoted trust and a sense ofteamwork by personalizing the work environment."
Michaelhas earned and deserves the respect of the RCPD employees. "We are his work ‘family' and he treats us asvaluable and deserving of respect under all conditions. Because of the team-oriented atmosphere thathe cultivates and the rewarding experiences that he offers, employees tend toremain in this department once they are hired. Of the 16 full-time staff members, nine have been here more than tenyears," Beverly Stehlik- Michael's assistant said. "There is no feeling of ‘supervisor' or‘employee' in our department. There isonly a feeling of ‘team'," she added.
Oneof those long-time employees is Pam Pope- the RCPD receptionist. Pam said "I have been here through threedirectors and I have seen more growth in this department in the last 10 yearssince Michael has been our leader." VirginiaRutan, the Cognitive Disabilities and Brain Injury specialist added that whenfaced with the choice several years ago of remaining at the RCPD or working elsewhere, she chose "to remain at the RCPD andunder [Michael's] leadership primarily due to the level of respect and sense of‘family' felt throughout the department."
UnderMichael's leadership the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities hasgrown exponentially in the face of burdening worries for students withdisabilities in higher education. He hascreated a world renowned department while retaining the person-to-personconnection that is essential to his work. Students know that he and the RCPD are there to assist them and ensurethey can receive the best education at Michigan State. Michael's award highlights what hasalready been widely known throughout campus and especially at the RCPD- he is avery deserving winner of the Outstanding Supervisor Award.
Authors Note: Having worked for Michael Hudson for nearly three years now I knewwriting this article would be an easy task. Getting Michael to approve it on the other hand was more difficult. He is overwhelmingly humble and protestedhaving his achievements highlighted- however this is an important story totell. For more information aboutMichael and his work with the RCPD visit the Team RCPD page.