Designed to create a structured, engaging forum where individuals or teams are empowered to present new ideas, Pitch Day provides an avenue for inspiration—giving ideas the potential to improve, transform, or add value to unit operations. Chosen submissions will be evaluated live and developed with the assistance of Spartan Excellence Champions. Pitch Day provides every EVPA employee the opportunity to develop new ideas and novel solutions to challenges in our everyday work.
When?
November 19, 2025
Submission deadline closed October 3, 2025
Selected Ideas
Below are the ideas, selected by the Operational Excellence Council, that will move forward to Pitch Day on November 19, 2025.
| Theme | Ideas | Spartan Submitters |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement, Financial Efficiency | Apply data-driven early payment discount strategy Centralize enterprise licensing procurement strategy Incentivize on-campus spending, reduce off-campus purchases | Alexander Redfern Christine Carter William Grice |
| Professional Development Plan | Change PDP “meets expectations” to “successful” Adopt scalable, real-time performance management platform Digitize annual reviews with e-signatures and workflows | Michelle Rutkowski Tim Hermen Randy Brown |
| Wayfinding | Improve wayfinding tools to accessible entrances | Annette McLane |
| Facilities Point of Contact | Assign facility managers by service volume | Stacy Nurenberg Kelly Feister |
| Campus Communication | Create centralized, university event calendar Form group to coordinate a university event calendar with IT support | Leah Benson Stephanie O'Donnell |
| MSU Inquiries | Establish centralized email for general MSU requests | Kathy Dorshimer |
| Hiring Process | Speed hiring process by creating a departmental communications pipeline | Cole Govitz |
| Time Tracking | Automate centralized time-off submission system Deploy SAP’s Time Off app with MSU policy and calendar sync Enable mobile time off tracking for IPF | Leah Benson Tim Hermen Matthew Bailey |
| Asset Management | Pilot RFID program for asset tracking efficiency | Michelle Szidik |
| Employee Wellness | Launch MSU PayFlex, a payroll deduction program for campus perks Offer discounted, time-limited access to recreation facilities for RHS employees | Kevin Fowlks Danny Layne |
FAQ's
All MSU staff within the EVPA portfolio are encouraged to share ideas and participate—input is welcome from all levels, from leadership to front line.
An employee can submit anything that improves day to day unit operations—examples include ideas for reducing service times, eliminating duplicate efforts, integrating new technology, or simplifying processes.
The EVPA Operational Excellence council will review and assess selected ideas to quickly validate them—once chosen for Pitch Day, submitters will have the opportunity to develop their idea into an optional live presentation for EVPA leadership during the event.
Updates will be shared through emails, announcements, and Conversation with Vennie—covering milestones, completions, and key developments. Every idea will be followed up on.
If an idea is chosen during Pitch Day, they will receive leadership support, resources, and funding to develop the idea into a formal project.
Evaluation criteria include:
- Implementation Viability – Can the idea be implemented with available resources, time, and technology?
- Innovation Impact – Does the idea have measurable benefits that can positively affect EVPA operations?
- Innovation Value – What is the potential quantitative impact of the idea on cost savings, efficiency, or customer satisfaction?
- Scalability and Sustainability – Is the idea scalable and sustainable over time?
- Timing – Is the proposed timeline achievable?
- Funding – Are the funding needs reasonable and aligned with available resources?
Christine Carter (IPF)
Erin Carter (RHS)
Scott Termeer (ITS)
Doug Monette (DPPS)
Danielle Hook (HR)
Laura Young (Sustainability)
Roushell Mignott-Nesbitt (EVPA EPMO)
Kelly Pung (EVPA OpEx)
Vennie Gore (EVPA Executive Sponsor)
Dan Bollman (IPF)
Patricia Martinez (RHS)
Rich Czarnecki (ITS)
Donna Donovan (HR)
Mike Yankowski (DPPS)
Julia Miller (MSU Innovation Center)
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